Dancing With the Stars will be welcoming some new faces and not just the celebrities. Koko Iwasaki is the show’s newest professional dancer. She will make her first DWTS appearance during the season 31 premiere. The new season will premiere September 19 on Disney+.
So, who is Koko Iwasaki? DWTS isn’t the 21-year-old’s first dance with a reality competition series. HollywoodLife has rounded up 5 key things you need to know about Koko.
1. Koko is paired with Vinny Guadagnino.
Koko will be dancing alongside Jersey Shore star Vinny Guadagnino in season 31. She was announced as a new pro when the cast was revealed on September 8. “I CAN FINALLY SCREAM IT OUTTTTTTTT THAT I AM A PRO ON DANCING WITH THE STARS!!!! What is ACTUALLY LIFE?!?!? I have so much to say but I’ll have to do that when I’m back from a dream,” she wrote on Instagram.
2. Koko was born in Japan.
Koko was born Koine Iwasaki in Kanagawa, Japan, according to her bio on the Dance & Co. website. Koko and her family moved to the United States when she was 2 years old. She grew up in South Florida.
“My parents immigrated from Japan with me and my brother in hopes of living our best lives and I am so proud to be here,” Koko wrote on Instagram.
3. Koko was on So You Think You Can Dance.
Koko was the runner-up of So You Think You Can Dance season 14. Her genre was contemporary. She has since become an all-star/mentor on the show.
4. Koko has a boyfriend.
Koko is currently dating fellow SYTYCD alum Kiki Nyemchek. He finished in fourth place during season 14. Koko called Kiki her “soulmate” in a sweet June 2022 Instagram post.
5. Koko has worked with several A-list artists.
She’s worked with Nicki Minaj, Tyga, Jason Derulo, Camila Cabello, and more. Koko’s also gone on world tours with Maluma and Luis Fonsi.