Kristina: “I felt judged when I got with Ben”
Former Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff opens up about the controversy of dating her dance partner, Ben Cohen, and how they’ve survived and thrived since the scandal
She is loved-up with her ex-rugby star partner Ben Cohen, with whom she shares adorable four-year-old daughter Mila, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the family.
The couple met when they were paired up on Strictly in 2013. At the time, Ben was still married to his childhood sweetheart, Abby – mum to his twin daughters Harriette and Isabelle, 12 – but he ended their 11-year marriage just months after appearing on the show.
Reports began circulating that Ben had fallen for Kristina, and devastated Abby took aim at the pro dancer, tweeting “our family is ruined”, while later admitting to having years of therapy to get over the split.
Although Kristina insists their romance only began after Ben and Abby had parted ways, she was still subjected to vicious abuse from Strictly fans and keyboard warriors, who branded her a “home-wrecker”.
INNER STRENGTH
Kristina, 43, says, “It’s a really horrible feeling, and you feel like the whole world is pointing fingers at you. A lot of people who judge others – whoever they judge – never really know the full story or the situation.
“It was very full-on and a challenging time, especially as I was still on Strictly every Saturday night and performing in front of 13 million people on the biggest show on TV. I got through it with inner strength and supportive friends, who know the real me.
“Ben was very supportive, of course, and his family were great. But there should be better laws to control online bullying – we all have to be kinder to each other.”
The Russian-born beauty, who found fame on Strictly in 2008, has also dated fellow dancer Vincent Simone and her 2009 Strictly partner, boxer Joe Calzaghe, which led her to be dubbed the “Siberian siren”.
But she quit the show in 2015, and a year later, after entering the Celebrity Big Brother house, she revealed she was expecting her first child with Ben, 42.
The dancer credits yoga for getting her through her tough days, as well as speaking to others about how she feels.
Praising her close friend, and former Strictly dance pro, Robin Windsor, 41, for recently revealing his battles with depression and suicidal thoughts, Kristina believes more people should follow suit and open up about their emotions.
She says, “None of us knew Robin was suicidal – we thought he was happy. It’s especially difficult for men to talk about their depression and that needs to change. We all have to be honest about our struggles because it really helps.
“Like everyone else, I have days in lockdown where I feel really down and I don’t want to do anything – and that’s OK. If you feel down, have a cry, and don’t bottle it up. It helps to get your balance back. Ben and I are always very honest and open with each other about how we’re feeling.”
FINDING MOTIVATION
After hanging up her dance shoes, Kristina and Ben opened up a yoga studio in their home city of Northampton in 2019, but have felt the bite financially after it was forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the business was refused a government grant.
She admits, “This past year has affected us severely; we haven’t had an income for ten months. We’ve moved classes online, but if I didn’t have those to do, I might as well stay in bed all day! I am finding it harder and harder to motivate myself.”
Although Kristina and Ben – whose ex, Abby, has now found love again with
new boyfriend David Warner – are now accepted as a couple, and the online trolling has died down, she reveals they have no plans for a new baby, saying “our family is complete.”
Kristina says, “Ben is the best dad in the world – his girls are his everything and he would do absolutely anything for them.
“If Mila didn’t have a sibling, I might feel the pressure to have another child, but she has her gorgeous sisters and they have such a beautiful relationship. We are blessed with what we have.”
‘I have days where I feel down – and that’s OK’