Simone Arena

Simone Arena (born 7 August 1991) is an Italian dancer and choreographer. Best known as former Italian Ballroom and Latin Champion, Arena joined the third series of the Belgian version of Dancing with the Stars.

Early life
Arena was born in Catania, Italy. He has been dancing since the age of seven.

Amateur dancing career
By the age of sixteen Arena became the Vice Italian Latin Champion.

He briefly partnered Maria Laureante for a short time in 2007. After that partnership dissolved her teamed up with Federica Zapulla. They enjoyed some success, finishing inside the top ten in the IDSF Open which took place in Maribor, Slovenia on 16 December 2007.

Between 2009 and 2010, Arena partnered Malene Meihlen. Their most successful outing came in an IDSF International Open which took place in Aarhus, Denmark on 28 November 2009. He also teamed up with Slovakian dancer, Linda Manduchova for a time.

He later partnered with fellow Italian dancer, Alessia Vernuccio. Their best result was a top three finish in the WDSF Open which took place in Ancona on 7 October 2012.

Professional dancing career
Arena joined in 2014 the Broadway production of Burn the Floor touring in London's West End and around the world including China, Australia and Japan. 2023 marked Arena's tenth consecutive year as part of the group.

In 2019, Arena was announced as part of the cast of Somnium: A Dancer's Dream with Strictly Come Dancing stars, Katya Jones and Neil Jones.

In 2020, Arena was announced to join the cast of Giovanni Pernice's 'This is Me' tour, however the tour was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Belgium
In December 2021, Arena joined the cast of the third series of the second incarnation (eighth overall) of the Belgian version of Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with artistic gymnast, Nina Derwael. On 12 February 2022, Derwael and Arena won the series.

Italy
Arena joined the Italian version of the show, Ballando con le Stelle for its seventeenth season as a professional dancer. He partnered TV presenter, Marta Flavi. The couple were the first to be eliminated from the competition. After the season ended, Arena spoke about his dissatisfaction with the overall production of the Italian version, stating he would not return for future editions.

Ireland
On 28 November 2023, Arena was announced as one of the new professional dancers of the seventh series of the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with RuPaul's Drag Race winner, Blu Hydrangea. They reached the final, finishing as joint runners-up to Jason Smyth & Karen Byrne. They broke the record of receiving the most perfect scores in a series, with 5. The previous record of 4 was held by Denise McCormack and Nina Carberry. They also received the most 10s (along with Carberry), with 18.

Personal life
Arena is in a relationship with Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, Michelle Tsiakkas.