Aric Yegudkin
Aric Yegudkin | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 14, 1985 Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Professional dancer, choreographer |
| Known for | Dancing with the Stars (Australia) |
Aric Yegudkin (born 14 November 1985) is a distinguished Australian professional dancer and choreographer, widely recognized for his participation in the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars.
Early life
Starting ballroom dance lessons at the age of eight, Yegudkin was inspired by his Russian heritage and encouragement from local instructors. From 2001 onwards, he competed in Latin American dancesport alongside partner Masha Belash. Together, they secured the title of Australian National Youth Latin American Champions on three occasions. Yegudkin is a certified instructor with Dancesport Australia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of New South Wales.
Career
Yegudkin made his professional dancing debut on Dancing with the Stars during its third season, capturing victory with celebrity contestant Ada Nicodemou. The duo subsequently triumphed in a "Champion of Champions" event against past winners. His other celebrity partners have included Haley Bracken, Zoe Cramond, Rhiannon Fish, April Rose Pengilly, Emma Freedman—whom he guided to first place in season 15—and later Michelle Bridges and Claudia Karvan following the series' 2019 revival by Network Ten.
In October 2016, Channel Seven announced the show's cancellation, marking Freedman and Yegudkin as its final champions on that network. Yegudkin returned to the program when Network Ten relaunched it in 2019.
| Season | Partner | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Ada Nicodemou | 1st |
| 11 | Haley Bracken | 2nd |
| 12 | Zoe Cramond | 3rd |
| 13 | Rhiannon Fish | 2nd |
| 14 | April Rose Pengilly | 10th |
| 15 | Emma Freedman | 1st |
| 16 | Michelle Bridges | 7th |
| 17 | Claudia Karvan | 3rd |
| 18 | Ada Nicodemou | 3rd |
| 19 | Kylie Gillies | 9th |
| 20 | Mary Coustas | 3rd |
| 21 | Nikki Osborne | 4th |
Outside of television, Yegudkin has contributed as a choreographer and performer in several Australian touring stage productions such as Shake, Rattle 'n' Roll, along with shows like Burn the Floor and Dance, Dance, Dance. In January 2017, he and Belash established a dance studio in Sydney named Move by Aric and Masha.
Personal life
In 2013, Yegudkin proposed to his dance partner Masha Belash, and the couple wed in October 2018. Their wedding was showcased in Vogue Australia’s April 2019 issue. They are parents to twin daughters born in 2020.