Art Takes Center Stage: How Art Reflects the DWTS Cast

Let’s talk about Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy—a duo that’s been lighting up the ballroom this season. I’ve paired them with artwork by Kristi Kohut, and honestly, it couldn’t be a more perfect match.

If you know Alix, you know she’s more than just a social media influencer—she’s a full-on moment. Her iconic “Get Ready With Me” videos have basically defined an era of TikTok, and what makes her so magnetic is that she’s completely herself: funny, confident, and down-to-earth. She’s someone who shines in every sense of her content—and that’s exactly what Kristi Kohut’s art does too.

Kristi’s work is known for its luminous, reflective surfaces and vibrant color palettes. Her signature mirror-like stripes literally make you stop in your tracks—sound familiar? It's the  same scroll-stopping energy that Alix brings to every video. You can’t help but pause and take a closer look, whether it’s to see what shade of blush she’s using or to admire the details glimmering across Kristi’s canvas.

Both Alix and Kristi understand the art of reflection—literally and figuratively. Kristi layers mixed media, iridescent textures, and cut-glass glitter to create depth and movement in her pieces. Similarly, Alix layers humor, authenticity, and glamour to create content that feels real while still shining bright. Beneath the shimmer and sparkle, there’s always more to see.

So, when you think about it, pairing Alix Earle with Kristi Kohut’s work feels like a no-brainer. They both know how to capture attention, reflect beauty in unique ways, and remind us that life is worth being happy about!

Next up, I've paired Jordan Chiles and Jenna Brownlee—a powerhouse duo that radiates strength, confidence, and celebrating community in woman. Jordan, a two-time Olympian and gymnastics icon, knows what it means to take control of the spotlight. She helped secure Team USA silver in Tokyo to bringing home gold in Paris. Beyond the medals, Jordan is a fierce advocate for body positivity and mental health, reminding athletes everywhere that strength isn’t just about physical power—it’s about showing up for yourself.

That same bold energy is exactly what makes Jenna Brownlee’s art the perfect match for Jordan. Jenna is a Des Moines–based painter and muralist who fills walls (and hearts) with color, movement, and life. Her work bursts with energy—hyperrealistic and bold, yet deeply connected to community and emotion. 

Just like Jordan’s routines, Jenna’s paintings are choreographed with intention and joy. Her use of vibrant hues and organic shapes mirrors the rhythm and power of Jordan’s gymnastics—leaps, balance, and delicacy. Both women embody confidence and creativity, and both use their craft to inspire others to take up space and express their talents fearlessly.

Jenna’s work thrives on connection—each brushstroke celebrates community, inclusion, and individuality. That’s why she’s such a fitting artistic reflection of Jordan. Together, they represent what happens when strength meets color, when movement meets purpose, and when women own their power in the most beautiful way possible.

So, whether it’s Jordan flying through the air or Jenna splashing color across a massive wall, both know exactly how to leave an impression that lasts.

When pairing dancers with artwork, it feels impossible not to pair Whitney Leavitt with Kevin Brent Morris. Whitney is a showstopping dancer whose presence on DWTS demands attention. In comparison, Kevin’s hyperrealistic paintings of beetles, butterflies, and small domestic objects capture quiet, overlooked moments and transform them into striking, vibrant works. Beetles, with their hard shells, symbolize resilience—hard to crack but full of life inside—while butterflies represent transformation.

Whitney’s journey mirrors this perfectly. On the surface, she may have seemed shy or overshadowed on the first season of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' through conflict with her co-stars. But she’s broken through her own shell, blossoming into confidence and authenticity on DWTS. Like Kevin’s beetles and butterflies, what once seemed small or restrained has emerged bold, radiant, and impossible to ignore on the ballroom floor.

Both Whitney and Kevin understand layers. His use of color, texture, and bold backgrounds turns the everyday creatures into eye-catching main characters. Whitney’s evolution—from hesitation to humor, vulnerability to magnetism—reflects the same layered transformation. Together, they are a testament to growth: beauty often starts quietly, but when it emerges, it stops you in your tracks.

Pairing Whitney with Kevin’s work isn’t just about visual similarity—it’s about substance. Both remind us that even the shyest, most hidden parts can evolve into something captivating, vibrant, and fully alive.

This match is bursting with personality, color, and a shared love for bringing joy to others. Robert, the passionate wildlife conservationist and nature photographer, has spent his life protecting animals and sharing their beauty with the world. Whether he’s out in the wild capturing crocodiles on camera or lighting up the DWTS stage, his energy is contagious. There’s a playful curiosity to Robert that mirrors the same sense of wonder Trevor Mikula captures in his art.

Trevor has been creating his vibrant, witty paintings for over 20 years with one goal in mind: to make people happy. His self-taught style blends bold color, humor, and imagination into lively compositions that feature everything from dinosaurs to sunks to —yes—his own pup at home! His work invites you to smile, to look closer, and to find joy in the unexpected.

That’s exactly what connects these two. Both Robert and Trevor find beauty in the natural and the everyday, transforming it into something accessible to all individuals. Trevor’s palette knife paintings, with their playful energy and bursts of color, reflect Robert’s sense of adventure and lightheartedness. Just as Trevor turns a frog, flamingo, or fish into something fun and full of life, Robert brings that same enthusiasm to the animal kingdom—celebrating even the creatures that might seem a little scary (like crocodiles!).

Together, they share a mission to spread joy, curiosity, and appreciation for the world around us. Robert educates and inspires through storytelling; Trevor does the same through paint. Both individually remind us that happiness and wonder are everywhere—you just have to look closely enough to see it and enjoy it.