EXCLUSIVE Strictly's Karen Hauer Breaks Silence “I Was Bankrolling Everything!”

In this episode of We Need To Talk, Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Hauer sits down with Paul for a conversation that goes far beyond the ballroom. Karen reflects on the defining moments that have shaped her life. From Venezuela to New York to the UK, Karen shares the ambition that drove her, the heartbreak that nearly broke her, and how dance became her language of survival. In her most vulnerable interview yet, Karen opens up about one of her most public relationships - the breakdown of a marriage that played out in the public eye. She reveals what really happened behind the headlines. For the first time, Karen speaks candidly about one of the most painful chapters of her life, the lessons she’s learnt about love, and how she’s finally putting herself first. Karen also lifts the curtain on Strictly - sharing what the audience doesn’t see, her thoughts on the infamous “Strictly curse,” and just how competitive the show really gets. This is a story of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of choosing yourself. Please note this conversation includes sensitive topics that may be distressing. We’ve included support charities below: MIND: https://g2ul0.app.link/Ne9MpdtBjTb Survivor's Trust: https://g2ul0.app.link/yh0NrvNsvTb Refuge: https://g2ul0.app.link/td2zqEPpGTb Follow me here:   / needtotalk     / weneedtotalkpod   Support Karen here: Instagram https://g2ul0.app.link/pj5LZtSpGTb TikTok https://g2ul0.app.link/pvMCYYWpGTb Hauer Power https://g2ul0.app.link/B0BsHDALHTb 0:00 Intro 1:55 Karen's Childhood Experience of Moving from Venezuela to New York 3:35 How Karen Discovered Her Love of Dancing 5:02 How Karen's Parents Split Up 9:04 Karen's Early Love-Life 11:55 The Beginnings of Karen's Career as a Dancer and 'So You Think You Can Dance?' 14:38 Karen's First Marriage 16:02 'Repetition Compulsion' 18:07 Karen's Most High Profile Marriage 23:15 Karen's Audition for 'Strictly Come Dancing' 24:22 Karen's Experience of Moving to the UK and Starting on Strictly 25:26 How Karen's Marriage Was Affected by Being on Strictly 27:08 How Karen's Second Marriage Ended 36:02 Karen Addresses the Strictly 'Curse' 41:33 What Keeps Karen Coming Back for Strictly? 43:46 How Competitive Is Strictly? 48:20 Tinder Ad 49:36 Crossed Wires Ad 50:38 Karen Opens Up On Traumatic Relationship 1:21:34 Karen's Future 1:25:18 Most Memorable Conversation 1:28:54 Paul's Takeaways Sponsored by: Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB We Need To Talk: LIVE! Join Paul us for our first ever We Need To Talk live show - coming to Crossed Wires in Sheffield on 5th July 2025. Be part of the conversation, in person https://g2ul0.app.link/VOjDM0icWSb ❤️ Get The Love Journal now: https://bit.ly/lovejournal-yt