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7 Captivating Insights: Kym Johnson-Herjavec Returns to DWTS as Judge — Family, Love & Legacy

Kym Johnson-Herjavec is stepping back into the ballroom as a guest judge on Dancing With the Stars Dedication Night. Discover 7 captivating insights into her return, her family life with Robert Herjavec, and what’s next for this “DWTS” favorite — as she opens up candidly about love, motherhood, and balancing career. Kym Johnson-Herjavec is making a dazzling comeback to the Dancing With the Stars stage — not as a competitor, but as a guest judge for the season’s much-anticipated Dedication Night on October 14. This return feels especially poignant: after years away, she’s stepping back into the ballroom, the place she calls home. And in the run-up to her judging debut, she’s opened up about an equally inspiring journey offstage — family life, love, motherhood, and the enduring partnership she shares with Shark Tank star and businessman Robert Herjavec. In this post, you’ll uncover 7 captivating insights about Kym’s return to DWTS, the love story behind Kym Johnson and Robert Herjavec, their path to parenthood, the balancing act of career and family, and why this comeback night means so much. Let’s dive in.

1 | Why Kym Johnson-Herjavec’s Return to DWTS Is So Meaningful

Kym Johnson first entered the U.S. Dancing With the Stars spotlight in 2006 (season 3), partnered with Jerry Springer. Over the years she became one of the franchise’s most beloved pros, participating in 15 seasons and winning two Mirrorball Trophies — with Donny Osmond and with Hines Ward. (EntertainmentNow)

Her relationship with DWTS runs deep — she’s called her return “coming home,” especially for a night like Dedication Night. (EntertainmentNow) After stepping away from full-time competition (her last U.S. residency was in 2015, with a brief return in 2017) (People.com), this appearance as guest judge feels like a heartfelt tribute to her roots.

For fans, it’s a poignant moment: she’s no longer dancing nightly, but her insight, passion, and presence return in a new role — guiding, commenting, honoring the art she loves.

2 | The DWTS Love Story: How Dancing Partners Became Lifelong Partners

Perhaps one of the most cherished legacies of Kym’s DWTS tenure is the love story she shares with Robert Herjavec.

They first met as dance partners on Season 20 in 2015, finishing in sixth place. (EntertainmentNow)
Off-screen chemistry was obvious. Less than a year after meeting, Robert proposed in February 2016; they married that July. (EntertainmentNow)
Robert has remarked on how he’s still “learning something new about her every day,” highlighting admiration for her resilience and drive. (People.com)
In multiple interviews, Kym credits DWTS for bringing her not only professional success but also a life partner she deeply trusts. (People.com)

Their relationship is often described as a modern partnership: romantic, respectful, and rooted in mutual support.

3 | Parenthood Journey: IVF, Miracles & Motherhood

One of the most heartwarming chapters in their story is Kym and Robert’s path to becoming parents.

In April 2018, Kym gave birth to twins Hudson and Haven, at age 41, via IVF. (EntertainmentNow)
Kym has shared that she had frozen eggs at 35, but none were viable. After trying naturally and facing challenges, they opted for IVF and transferred two embryos, knowing twins were possible. (EntertainmentNow)
In a Q&A, when asked if they would try for more children, Kym responded that “if I was younger, yes,” but feels they may have “missed the boat” for expanding their family further. (EntertainmentNow)
Today, their twins are a central joy in their lives. Kym often describes motherhood as a “miracle” and celebrates every moment with Hudson and Haven. (People.com)

This journey underscores not just their desire to be parents, but their resilience, patience, and hope.

4 | Balancing Acts: Career, Family & Geographies

With her return as a guest judge, Kym Johnson-Herjavec is walking a fine line between her professional identity and her role as a mother and wife.

Dual Residences & Co-Parenting

The couple divides their time between Canada and Australia, making geography a factor in daily life. (EntertainmentNow) They’ve intentionally structured school, work, and parenting to keep stability for the kids. (People.com)

They also operate on a “Daddy days” / “Mommy days” approach, so their twins get focused one-on-one time with each parent. (People.com)

Movement, Wellness & Self-Care

Kym remains active through Pilates, yoga, and dance, citing movement as integral — not just for fitness, but for emotional balance. (EntertainmentNow)

Choosing Projects Wisely

Since leaving DWTS, Kym has pivoted toward projects that allow flexibility. In particular, she starred in Lifetime’s movie Hunting Housewives, noting that production schedules (e.g. 10 days of filming) help her stay present for family. (People.com)

Her selective approach emphasizes quality over quantity — choosing roles that allow her to remain creative without compromising family time.

5 | Behind the Scenes: Robert Herjavec’s Role & Perspective

While Kym’s return to DWTS is in the spotlight, Robert Herjavec’s role as husband, father, and public figure remains quietly significant.

In earlier interviews, Robert admitted he must rein in his entrepreneurial instinct and avoid treating his wife’s ventures like a Shark Tank pitch. (People.com)
He’s spoken of how his admiration for her work ethic and courage grows daily. (People.com)
Robert’s own background is rooted in resilience: born in Croatia in 1962, his family emigrated to Canada when he was eight. He founded BRAK Systems, sold it, and later launched The Herjavec Group, now a major cybersecurity firm. (Wikipedia)
Together, they’ve built a blended family: Robert has three older children (Brendan, Skye, Caprice) from a previous marriage, alongside the twins he shares with Kym. (EntertainmentNow)
Recently, Robert spoke of how DWTS played a role in his own personal narrative, and how meeting Kym altered his life’s trajectory. (Parade)

His behind-the-scenes support, humility, and commitment to family underpin much of their shared success.

6 | What Makes Dedication Night Special & What to Expect

Dedication Night on DWTS is a standout concept: celebrities dedicate their routines to someone who’s deeply shaped their lives, inviting that person on stage to share the moment. (Newsweek)
For Season 34, Kym Johnson joins Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough as a guest judge, bringing a unique lens to the judging panel. (Newsweek)

It’s a night of raw emotion, vulnerability, and sometimes surprise performances. The presence of loved ones on stage heightens stakes, turning routines into memorable tributes. (Newsweek)

For Kym, returning to judge on a night built around honoring personal stories holds extra resonance. The metaphor is clear: just as contestants dedicate dance to meaningful people, Kym is dedicating herself once more to the show that gave her so much.

7 | Reflections, Legacy & What’s Next

As Kym Johnson-Herjavec returns behind the judge’s desk, several themes emerge: legacy, gratitude, and reinvention.

Gratitude for DWTS

Kym has repeatedly expressed that DWTS changed her life — not just as a career, but in love, family, and identity. (EntertainmentNow) Her invitation to return feels like mutual respect: she to the show, the show to her.

Reinventing Her Narrative

Though she’s no longer dancing full time, she’s embraced new creative avenues — acting, selective projects, and public statements about motherhood, wellness, and family. (People.com) She proves that evolution doesn’t mean abandoning passion — it means reshaping it on one’s own terms.

Continuing the Journey

Fans may hope her judging role becomes more permanent, or that she returns in other capacities (mentor, guest choreographer, advocate). As she’s said before: “Never say never.” (People.com)

One thing is certain: whether she’s on stage, behind the desk, or off camera in family life, Kym Johnson-Herjavec remains a figure of inspiration — a reminder that our greatest performances are often those in life, not competition. Kym Johnson-Herjavec’s return to Dancing With the Stars as a guest judge on Dedication Night is much more than a TV moment. It’s the convergence of her past and present: dancer, mentor, wife, mother. It’s a homecoming to the ballroom that shaped her, a tribute to the show that changed her life, and a renewed step into public light — not as a competitor, but as a guiding, experienced voice.

From her love story with Robert Herjavec, to the emotional journey of parenthood, to the balancing of career and family — her narrative resonates because it’s real, raw, and rooted in human aspiration. For fans, it’s a chance to welcome back someone they’ve cheered for, and to see her in a new role that still pulses with the same grace, passion, and heart.