Allen Genkin is an American ballroom dancer, choreographer, and dance studio owner who built his name in competitive Latin dance before becoming a familiar face on television. In 2026, he reached a wider audience as one of the final four contestants on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” a spinoff built to find a new professional dancer for the main show. This article looks at Allen Genkin’s life story, his dance career, and what he has been doing in 2026, using verified news coverage, official show sources, and his own public statements.
Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Allen Genkin |
| Profession | Ballroom dancer, choreographer, studio owner |
| Known For | Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro (2026), Dancing With the Stars (2012), So You Think You Can Dance |
| Dance Style | International Latin, Ballroom |
| Age | Mid-30s (listed as 35–36 in 2026 sources; exact birth date not publicly confirmed) |
| Hometown | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Currently Based | San Jose, California |
| Started Dancing | Age 12 |
| Studio | Fred Astaire Dance Studios, San Jose Valley Fair (co-owner) |
| Fitness Brand | Founder, Sweat DanceFit |
| Relationship Status | Single (previously dated singer MarÃa León) |
| Last Updated | 2026 |
Early Life
Allen Genkin grew up in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and started dancing at age 12. In interviews, he has said his mother was the one who first pushed him toward ballroom dance, telling him he might enjoy meeting people through it. What began as a casual activity quickly turned serious. Genkin’s coaches noticed his talent early, and he moved fast into competitive International Latin dance.
A difficult moment shaped his path more than anything else. Genkin has spoken about losing his mother when he was 15 years old. That loss, he has said, is part of what made him commit to dance even more seriously in the years that followed, turning it from a hobby into a career.
Competitive Dance Career
Before he ever appeared on television, Genkin spent years climbing the ranks of amateur ballroom competition. He became a USA Dance Youth National Finalist in both 2007 and 2008, and he also won the California Regional Dance Youth Championship those same two years. His competitive run took him overseas as well, including appearances at England’s Blackpool Dance Festival and the International Dance Championships, where he placed in the top percentile among hundreds of competitors.
With a dance partner named Amanda, Genkin reached the finals of the Nevada Star Ball in Las Vegas, considered one of the toughest competitions in the sport, and placed in the top seven at Boston’s Yankee Classic. According to his own studio biography, he was ranked among the top dancers in the United States and in the top 100 worldwide in his age group during this period.
Around age 20, Genkin shifted his focus from pure competition toward the entertainment side of dance.
Television Career: From So You Think You Can Dance to Dancing With the Stars
Genkin’s television career started gaining attention in the mid-2010s. He appeared on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” including a notable Academy Week audition in 2018, while he was running Beat Dance Sport Academy in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania.
In 2012, Genkin competed on and won ABC’s “Ballroom Battle,” a competition tied to “Dancing With the Stars” that gave amateur dancers a shot at the spotlight. He has said the timing was bittersweet: shortly before the competition, his dance partner and girlfriend at the time ended their relationship. He pushed through and trained with professional “Dancing With the Stars” dancer Cheryl Burke during that period.
After that win, Genkin toured with “Dancing With the Stars: Ballroom With a Twist,” performing alongside professional dancers including Tony Dovolani, Anna Trebunskaya, Cheryl Burke, Derek Hough, and Karina Smirnoff. His other credits from this stretch of his career include a performance alongside the Gypsy Kings at a charity gala, a corporate short film about dance and healthy living, and a Great Gatsby-themed routine that aired on Bravo’s “Fab 40’s.”
Genkin also choreographed for celebrity singers in Mexico. It was through this work that he met Mexican singer and actress MarÃa León during her run on the reality show “Mira Quién Baila” in 2022, a connection that later became a romantic relationship (more on that below).
Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro (2026)
The biggest development in Genkin’s career so far in 2026 is his run on “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” the first season of an ABC spinoff designed to find a new professional dancer for the flagship “Dancing With the Stars” cast. Wikipedia’s cast listing places him among the competitors from San Jose, California, dancing in the Latin category.
Genkin advanced steadily through the season. One standout moment came in Episode 6, titled “But Can You Teach? Coaching Superfans With Witney Carson,” which tested contestants on their ability to train a complete beginner in just two days rather than simply performing themselves. Genkin’s strong showing there helped him reach the semifinals alongside Adele Zaikman, AJ Pritchard, and Selena Hamilton.
His run ended in the semifinal round, aired August 24, 2026. Genkin was eliminated in fourth place after two routines: one choreographed with DWTS professional Witney Carson, which judges Shirley Ballas, Mark Ballas, and guest judge Kym Johnson felt did not showcase his partner’s abilities fully, despite praising the jive itself. Witney Carson later wrote on social media that she was proud to have shared the experience with him. Adele Zaikman went on to win the season, with AJ Pritchard finishing runner-up and Selena Hamilton taking third.
While the season was airing, Genkin also opened up about a new chapter off the dance floor.
New Dance Studio in San Jose
In August 2026, Genkin spoke with a Bay Area news station about a new venture: a dance studio in San Jose, tied to his ongoing role as co-owner at Fred Astaire Dance Studios in the San Jose Valley Fair area. He described the studio as more than a business move, calling it a chance to introduce more people to ballroom dance and help new dancers grow both on and off the floor. This move followed his continued work as founder of Sweat DanceFit, a dance-based fitness brand he promotes on social media.
Personal Life
Genkin has been fairly open about parts of his personal story, including the loss of his mother as a teenager, which he has described as a turning point in his commitment to dance.
On the relationship side, Genkin was in a long-term relationship with MarÃa León, a Mexican singer and actress, for a little more than two years. The two met through “Mira Quién Baila” in 2022 and went public with their relationship in mid-2024. In November 2025, MarÃa León confirmed the relationship had ended, citing long-distance strain as the main reason, since Genkin lives in the United States while she lives in Mexico. She described the split as amicable, said the two remained friends who stayed in touch, and did not rule out a future reconciliation. As of the time of this article, public reporting does not indicate Genkin is in a new relationship, while MarÃa León has since spoken publicly about starting a new relationship of her own.
How This Was Researched
I researched this biography using verified entertainment news coverage of “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” official cast information from ABC’s show materials, Genkin’s dance studio biography pages, and Spanish-language entertainment reporting on his relationship with MarÃa León. Existing coverage of Genkin online is scattered across fan wikis, dance studio pages, and short reality TV recaps, with very little pulling his competitive dance background, TV career, and 2026 storylines into one place. This article tries to close that gap. Where a detail, such as his exact birth date, was not clearly confirmed across sources, I noted that instead of guessing.
FAQ
Who is Allen Genkin?
Allen Genkin is an American ballroom dancer, choreographer, and dance studio owner known for competing on “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro” in 2026 and for his earlier appearance on “Dancing With the Stars” in 2012.
How old is Allen Genkin?
Public sources place him in his mid-30s as of 2026, with cast listings showing his age as 35 to 36. His exact birth date has not been confirmed in publicly available sources.
Where is Allen Genkin from?
He grew up in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and is now based in San Jose, California, where he co-owns a Fred Astaire Dance Studios location.
Did Allen Genkin win Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?
No. He was eliminated in the semifinals, finishing in fourth place. Adele Zaikman won the season.
Is Allen Genkin still with MarÃa León?
No. The two Mexican-American dance world couple confirmed their breakup in November 2025 after a little more than two years together, citing long-distance as the reason. They have said they remain on good terms.
Accuracy Note
This biography is based on publicly available information, including entertainment news coverage, official show materials, and public statements from Allen Genkin and MarÃa León. If you spot anything outdated or incorrect, please let us know so we can update it.
Written and researched by Hassan, contributor at ntx magazine.
Written by Hassan, founder and editor of NTX Magazine — an independent news and biography publication. Every article is researched and cross-checked against multiple public sources before publishing; see our Sourcing Standards page for details.