Daniella Karagach Says Making It to “DWTS” Finale with Husband Pasha Pashkov Has Been a 'Team Effort' (Exclusive)

'Dancing with the Stars' pro Karagach tells PEOPLE that watching her husband "thrive" in season 32 "tops everything for me"

As the first married couple to compete in a Dancing with the Stars finale, Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov are feeling the love.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the semifinals of the ABC dance competition, Karagach opened up about how the pair have supported each other throughout season 32.

“He helps me, I help him, and it has always been a team effort from the get-go,” explained Karagach, 30, who is partnered with Jason Mraz. “To see him thrive this season ... tops everything for me, so honestly, it's just going to be the best experience for us both.”

Related: Dancing with the Stars: Semifinals Brings Tears, a Dance Len Goodman Would've Loved and 1 Shocking Twist

Pashkov, 36, reflected on his memorable journey on the show this week.

“Honestly, the season already feels like a win,” the partner of Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix told PEOPLE. “My first 10, my first perfect score, my first finale. But overall, more important than that is an amazing journey with this amazing partner.”

He added, “I'm just over-the-moon happy with the whole thing. It's more than just a competition. It's more than just scores. It's a true life-changing journey.”

Related: Ariana Madix Is Feeling 'a Lot of Pressure' After Carrie Ann Inaba Declared Her a DWTS Front-Runner (Exclusive)

On Tuesday’s episode of Dancing with the Stars, Karagach and Pashkov — who welcomed daughter Nikita in May — found out they would be competing against each other in the finale.

During the elimination, Karagach and Mraz, Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber, and Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev claimed the first three spots. This left Madix and Pashkov and Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy standing as the remaining two.

Related: Alyson Hannigan Thought Alfonso Ribeiro 'Made a Mistake' When Announcing Her as DWTS Finalist (Exclusive)

In a final surprise twist, co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro revealed that both couples were safe and all five pairs would be competing in the finale, leaving the groups thrilled for one final week together.

Madix, 38, told PEOPLE the twist was “terrifying,” adding, “That was the most messed-up thing ever.”

“I can tell you, I felt Ariana's stomach curl up in a tiny little ball,” vouched Pashkov. “I don't know how it's possible, but it was on an energetic level. I could just feel the whole thing.”

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Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.

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