Polish Olympic medalist Katarzyna Zillmann and her partner, Julia Walczak, have ended their five-year relationship, a split confirmed in the wake of Zillmann’s recent appearance on the polish dance competition “Dancing with the Stars.” The breakup follows increased public scrutiny of Zillmann’s dynamic with her dance partner, and marks a important moment for the pair, who publicly acknowledged their relationship after Zillmann’s Olympic success-a rare instance of openness for Polish athletes at the time.
Olympic medalist Katarzyna Zillmann and her partner, Julia Walczak, have ended their relationship, just weeks after Zillmann’s run on the Polish dance competition “Dancing with the Stars” sparked speculation about the couple’s future. The pair, who began dating in 2020, had kept their romance largely private until Zillmann publicly acknowledged Walczak after winning an Olympic medal, becoming one of the first Polish athletes to come out publicly.
The situation began to shift during Zillmann’s participation in “Dancing with the Stars.” While Walczak initially attended both rehearsals and studio tapings, her presence noticeably decreased in recent weeks. Simultaneously, Zillmann appeared to grow closer to her dance partner, Janja Lesar. The duo shared two kisses on air, fueling public discussion and prompting questions about Walczak’s reaction.
Katarzyna Zillmann and Julia Walczak Have Split: Olympic Medalist Shares Emotional Statement
The breakup was confirmed shortly after the finale of “Dancing with the Stars.” Walczak posted a playful Instagram Reel referencing the beginning of their relationship: “When you swipe right on a promising rower 5 years ago and end up with an Olympic medalist on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’” Zillmann unexpectedly commented on the post, writing, “Not relevant anymore,” effectively confirming the split.
On Monday evening, Zillmann broke her silence during a live stream on the “Toplespodcast.” She addressed the recent events with caution, but honesty, emphasizing she had no intention of speaking negatively about Walczak or fueling a narrative of blame. “It’s not black and white. I will never say anything bad about Julia. I carry my own cross and my own guilt, and now I need to process it myself,” Zillmann shared.
Zillmann also addressed the widely discussed kiss with Janja Lesar on the show, as well as photos from the after-party showing the two embracing. She admitted she should have been more mindful, acknowledging that such moments quickly become fodder for the media. “People react to these stories, and the media amplifies them. That was my mistake,” she stated. While details surrounding the end of the relationship remain private, Zillmann makes it clear that certain aspects will remain that way, despite significant public interest.
