Daniella Karagach Height vs Dwight Howard: DWTS Partnership, Challenges, Biography & Full Breakdown

Daniella Karagach Introduction

Daniella Karagach has become one of the most admired professional dancers on Dancing With the Stars, known for her precision, athleticism, and ability to bring out the best in her celebrity partners. But in Season 33 of DWTS, everyone is talking about something else: the jaw-dropping height difference between Daniella and her partner, former NBA champion Dwight Howard.

Their partnership has sparked headlines, viral clips, and even comments from judges who can’t help but marvel at the extreme contrast in height. But the story of Daniella Karagach goes far beyond a height comparison. Her journey from a hyperactive Brooklyn kid to a world-renowned ballroom champion, Emmy-nominated choreographer, and DWTS Mirrorball winner is one of passion, discipline, and resilience.

This comprehensive biography reveals Daniella’s height, age, early life, career, marriage to Pasha Pashkov, motherhood, business ventures, and the full story behind the height difference that’s making DWTS history.

Daniella Karagach Quick Facts

Category	Details
Full Name	Daniella Brittany Karagach Pashkova
Birth Date	December 26, 1992
Age (2025)	32 years old
Height	5’3″ (1.60 m)
Weight	~115 lbs
Ethnicity	Moldovan-American
Birthplace	Brooklyn, New York
Occupation	Ballroom Dancer, Choreographer, DWTS Pro
Husband	Pavel “Pasha” Pashkov (m. 2014)
Child	Nikita Sofia Pashkova (born May 30, 2023)
Known For	DWTS Season 30 Mirrorball Champion
Team	DWTS Pro, Owner of Wedding Dance School
Awards	Emmy-nominated choreographer, multiple U.S. dance championships

Early Life and Background (1992–2009)

Born in Brooklyn to Moldovan immigrant parents, Mark and Regina Karagach, Daniella grew up with energy levels most kids don’t have. Diagnosed with ADHD at age six, doctors recommended medication, but her mother didn’t want that—so she found another path.

Dance.

That single decision changed Daniella’s life forever. She began ballet at age three, then Latin dancing at seven. She grew up in Forest Hills and Bath Beach, raised primarily by her mother after her parents separated when she was just a year old.

Despite childhood challenges, she excelled academically and earned honors placements at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School before studying childhood education at the College of Staten Island.

Daniella Karagach’s Professional Dance Career (2009–2019)

At age 11, she partnered with Leonid Juashkovsky, and together they:

Three-time USA Dance Junior Latin Champions
Represented the USA at world championships in Russia, Latvia, and Barcelona

But the true turning point came in January 2009 when she auditioned with Pavel “Pasha” Pashkov. Their chemistry was immediate.

Together, they became:

Seven-time United States 10-Dance Champions
2017 Blackpool Rising Star Professional Champions
2018 U.S. Latin American Showdance Champions
First U.S. couple in 40 years to compete in all four styles at world championships

Their success made them one of the most accomplished ballroom duos in the United States.

The Love Story: Daniella and Pasha Pashkov

Their partnership soon became romantic. They started dating when Daniella turned 18.

2012: Pasha proposed on New Year’s Day
2014: Married on July 18 in New Jersey
2023: Welcomed their daughter, Nikita
2025: Renewed their vows in Cabo San Lucas

They also teach together and choreograph one another’s DWTS routines.

Their trademark angel number is 11:11, appearing constantly in their lives.

Dancing With the Stars Journey (2019–Present)

Daniella joined DWTS as a troupe member in Season 28 and became a pro in Season 29.

Her track record is incredible:

Season 29: Partnered with Nelly
Season 30: Won the Mirrorball with NBA player Iman Shumpert
Season 32: Runner-up with Jason Mraz
Season 33: Partnered with Dwight Howard

Her choreography earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Season 33 Spotlight: Daniella Karagach vs. Dwight Howard Height Difference

This season has one topic dominating DWTS conversations: the unprecedented height gap between Daniella and Dwight Howard.

Howard is 6’10″
Daniella is 5’3″
Height difference: 19 inches — over 1.5 feet

Even judge Derek Hough joked:
“It’s like watching a giraffe and a gazelle dance together.”

The Choreography Crisis

Daniella admitted she underestimated Dwight’s height.

She told Us Weekly:

“I had to switch up pretty much my whole choreography because I couldn’t make it around him. He was so tall, I couldn’t get around him.”

She changed almost the entire routine at the last minute.

This is despite having danced previously with 6’5″ NBA star Iman Shumpert—Dwight is still a much bigger challenge.

Dwight Howard’s View

Howard compared dancing to basketball training:

“It’s a lot of repetition and a lot of muscles you don’t expect. Every stance Daniella does is perfect down to her fingernails.”

Motherhood and Personal Strength

Daniella’s path to motherhood was not easy.

July 2022: She suffered a miscarriage at five weeks
May 30, 2023: She welcomed her daughter, Nikita
2024–2025: She toured DWTS with her toddler

She calls motherhood her “superpower” and says it made her stronger than she ever imagined.

One incident in 2025 involved fans approaching her daughter, leading Daniella to request privacy for Nikita during tour stops.

Business Ventures and Choreography

Daniella and Pasha founded The Wedding Dance School in 2020. Their online program helps couples learn first-dance routines.

She also appeared on World of Dance and So You Think You Can Dance as a choreographer.

Recent Milestones

2024: 10th anniversary celebrated at Six Flags
2025: Vow renewal in Cabo San Lucas
DWTS U.S. Tour with baby Nikita

Her personal and professional life continues to thrive.

Physical Characteristics and Dance Style

Height: 5’3″ (1.60 m)
Weight: ~115 lbs
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Brown
Build: Athletic
Zodiac: Capricorn
Ethnicity: Moldovan-American

Her petite stature hasn’t stopped her from mastering routines with extremely tall partners.

Legacy and Impact

Daniella’s story goes far beyond dance:

She overcame ADHD without medication
Turned loss into resilience
Became an inspiration for dancers worldwide
Balanced motherhood with competitive choreography
Set a new standard for female ballroom champions
Broke DWTS history with NBA partners

Her impact is generational, representing discipline, authenticity, and passion.

Conclusion

Daniella Karagach is more than a DWTS pro—she is a symbol of strength, precision, creativity, and perseverance. From a hyperactive Brooklyn kid to a ballroom champion, Emmy-nominated choreographer, wife, mother, and mentor, she has crafted a career defined by excellence.

Her partnership with Dwight Howard has highlighted her adaptability and brilliance as a choreographer. Their extraordinary height difference isn’t a challenge—it’s a chance for Daniella to showcase her unmatched talent.

FAQ About Daniella Karagach