Léo Blanco, a celebrated dancer and choreographer from the Brazilian edition of Dancing With The Stars, has tragically passed away at the age of 47.

According to The Sun, Blanco was discovered unresponsive at his residence in Curitiba, Brazil, on January 9th. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear as the cause has not yet been determined.

Among those mourning his loss is Brazilian actress Mariana Xavier, who shared heartfelt memories of Blanco, her dance instructor during her time on Danca dos Famosos in 2017.

In a moving tribute translated into English, Xavier remembered her experience with Blanco on the show, describing him as “one of the sweetest and most generous people” she had ever encountered.

“Leo Blanco was my dance teacher on Dancing with the Stars in 2017, but more than that, he was the best partner I could have had in realizing that dream, which was his dream too,” she wrote, highlighting the deep connection they shared during their collaboration.

‘One of the sweetest and most generous people I’ve met throughout my life! Someone who stayed in my heart and in my life, even though we didn’t keep in touch very often. 

Léo Blanco, a choreographer on the Brazilian version of Dancing With The Stars, has reportedly died at age 47

A cause of death is not yet known

‘The first song we danced to on Domingão became “our song,” and from time to time, when one of us heard it by chance, we would send a message to the other to say, “I’m here, I remembered you, you’re important to me.” The last time we saw each other was at Carnival in 2025, in Salvador, both ecstatic to be there, enjoying the songs that were the soundtrack of our lives.’

In a 2020 post, Blanco described the joy a routine he did on the show brought him.

‘You know those black and white movies where a group of people get together to dance, kind of casually, and they’re happy, they let loose, they jump around and smile??? That’s exactly how it felt today. That rhythm inspired me to dance. It was the first dance I ever did in my life… and it’s always a joy to repeat it… Very happy with everything… and now we’re moving on to a new phase!!! Let’s go @lucyramos.’

A dancer for nearly most of his life, Blanco took up the sport as a teenager before turning his passion into a business.  

He led two dance companies while a university student before Danca dos Famosos took his career to a whole new level, according to The Sun.

During his time on the show, he reached seventh place with Xavier and ninth with singer Luisa Sonza. 

He danced for multiple weeks with actress Lucy Ramos in a season where she would be crowned winner.  

The duo were partnered together in 2020 however Blanco was ultimately replaced by professional dancer Reginaldo Sama in the show’s ninth week, according to The Sun. 

Blanco teamed up with the stars on the Brazilian version of Dancing With The Stars 

A dancer for nearly most of his life, Blanco took up the sport as a teenager before turning his passion into a business

Brazilian actress Mariana Xavier paid tribute to Blanco, her dance teacher on Danca dos Famosos in 2017

Fans are now mourning the loss online, with many sending their condolences in the comments section of his Instagram posts. 

‘I miss you, my dear (tearful emoji) Rest in peace!!!,’ one wrote in Portuguese. 

‘How sad to hear this,’ another wrote in a message translated into English. ‘Rest in peace, Léo…’ 

‘How sad that you’re gone! You were such a great guy, I loved our conversations. Rest in peace!’ another psoted.