Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik Shares How His Girlfriend Is Supporting Him Through Dancing With The Stars

“Maybe not an immediate translation from gymnastics to dance,” Stephen reflected, “but I think the approach to gymnastics is similar to the approach in dance. I’m out there learning a skill, and then I’m putting it in a routine, I’m training that, and then I’m performing in front of judges and a live audience.”

He continued, “It’s almost just like gymnastics, so I have a feeling the process of getting to routine shape is going to be very similar.” 

The Worcester, Ma., native first rose to national fame during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he helped Team USA win a team bronze medal in gymnastics before taking home another bronze in the individual pommel horse event.

And while Stephen makes it look easy, for Tess, who was watching in the audience, the experience wasn’t as effortless.  

“It is the most stressful thing I've ever done,” she told E! News in August. “I wear a Fitbit, and my heart rate easily goes over 140 beats a minute when he goes. Even before he goes, just thinking about the fact that he's about to go, it starts climbing.”

A gymnast herself, Tess, 26, added, “It's so much harder than when I competed. Beam was my best event, and competing beam was easier than watching him go.” 

So while watching her boyfriend of eight years is likely to be just as heart racing, Tess is in it for the long haul. After all, as she put it, “We’re each other’s person.” 

“We don't get tired of each other,” she continued. “We don't feel like we need like that break. I think that has really helped over the last eight years—just keep us solid. And it's been a great time.” 

To meet the rest of Stephen’s competition on Dancing with the Stars—including the other Olympian in the cast—keep reading. 

—Reporting by Nikaline McCarley