Harry Shum Jr.’s wife is Shelby Rabara, an American actress, professional dancer, and voice artist best known for playing Peridot in Steven Universe. The Glee and Grey’s Anatomy star has been married to Rabara since November 21, 2015, but their relationship began nearly a decade before their wedding.
The couple, who started dating in 2006, have now spent approximately 20 years together. They also share a daughter, Xia Shum, born in March 2019.
Their marriage recently attracted renewed attention after Shum dedicated an emotional performance to Rabara during Dancing With the Stars Season 35’s Dedication Night in October 2026.
The family-centered routine featured a special appearance by Rabara and their seven-year-old daughter, giving viewers a glimpse of the relationship behind the actor’s successful Hollywood career.
Who Is Harry Shum Jr.’s Wife?
Shelby Rabara is a 43-year-old actress, dancer, and voice performer who has worked in television, animation, and live entertainment.
Although many viewers recognize her as Harry Shum Jr.’s wife, Rabara established her own entertainment career before their marriage.
She began performing professionally as a dancer and later expanded into acting and voice work.
One of her most recognizable roles is Peridot in Cartoon Network’s animated series Steven Universe.
Rabara has also appeared in television productions, including Glee, and contributed voice performances to animated projects.
Her professional background closely resembles her husband’s early career, with both developing their skills through dance before becoming established actors.
How They Met
Harry Shum Jr. and Shelby Rabara began dating in 2006, years before either became widely recognized through their most famous television roles.
Their relationship developed through a shared interest in performing arts, particularly dance and musical entertainment.
One memorable detail from their early romance involves their first official date.
The couple went to see Dreamgirls, the 2006 movie musical starring Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, and Jamie Foxx.
Shum has recalled the experience as an emotional occasion that helped bring them closer.
Their mutual appreciation for music and performance became an important part of their relationship.
What began as a young romance eventually developed into a long-term partnership spanning two decades.
Their Wedding
After several years together, Shum and Rabara became engaged in 2013.
They spent approximately two years planning their wedding before exchanging vows on November 21, 2015.
The couple chose Costa Rica for their intimate beachside ceremony.
Their wedding brought together close friends, family members, and several people connected to Shum’s entertainment career.
Some of his Glee colleagues attended the celebration.
The tropical location provided a relaxed setting for a couple whose relationship had already lasted nearly a decade.
By October 2026, Shum and Rabara were approaching their 11th wedding anniversary.
Shelby’s Dance Career
Long before becoming known for her voice acting, Rabara worked professionally as a dancer.
She performed with the Los Angeles Laker Girls from 2004 to 2006, gaining experience in high-profile live entertainment.
Her time with the dance team helped establish her professional background in choreography and performance.
She subsequently pursued television opportunities, combining her dancing ability with acting.
This experience also gave her a strong connection with Shum, who built his own career through professional dance.
Their shared background has remained important throughout their marriage.
It also explains why dance frequently appears in their family celebrations and creative projects.
The Glee Connection
An interesting detail about the couple’s careers is that Shelby Rabara worked on Glee before Harry Shum Jr. joined the series.
She appeared in an uncredited role during the show’s pilot and later portrayed a character named Shoshandra.
According to accounts of their relationship, Rabara’s positive experience working on the production encouraged Shum to audition.
He eventually secured the role of Mike Chang, a character who became popular for his exceptional dancing ability.
The musical comedy-drama helped establish Shum as a recognizable television personality.
Although the couple pursued separate acting careers, Glee became a notable connection in their professional history.
Her Voice Acting Roles
Rabara is especially recognized for voicing Peridot in Steven Universe.
The animated series developed a devoted audience through its storytelling, music, and memorable characters.
Peridot became one of the show’s recognizable personalities, allowing Rabara to demonstrate her abilities as a voice performer.
She has also been associated with the character Snappy in Pixar’s Toy Story 5.
Her voice acting work has introduced her to audiences who may not be familiar with her earlier dancing and television appearances.
These roles have helped establish an entertainment identity separate from her husband’s acting career.
Their Daughter Xia
Harry Shum Jr. and Shelby Rabara have one daughter, Xia Shum, born in March 2019.
Xia is seven years old as of October 2026.
The couple has generally protected their daughter’s privacy while occasionally sharing special family moments.
Growing up with two professional performers, Xia has been surrounded by music, dancing, and other creative activities.
However, her parents have not announced any plans for her to pursue a professional entertainment career.
Her recent appearance on Dancing With the Stars was a particularly memorable moment for the family.
Emotional DWTS Tribute
In October 2026, Harry Shum Jr. dedicated his Dancing With the Stars Dedication Night performance to Shelby Rabara.
The routine celebrated their relationship and the family they have built over the past two decades.
The performance became especially touching when Rabara joined him during the presentation.
Their daughter Xia also appeared, alongside other family members, bringing several generations together.
Xia showed off some dance moves at the end of the routine.
For Shum, whose career began with professional dancing, the performance connected his personal life with the artistic discipline that helped shape his success.
The family appearance offered viewers a rare look at their relationship beyond social media and red carpet events.
Their Children’s Book
Shum and Rabara have also collaborated professionally outside television.
The couple co-wrote a children’s picture book titled Martee Dares to Dance.
The story focuses on courage, individuality, and the importance of expressing oneself.
Drawing on their experiences as dancers and parents, they created a book intended to encourage children to embrace their creativity.
Their daughter Xia helped inspire the message behind the project.
Rather than emphasizing perfect technique, the book encourages young readers to discover confidence through movement.
The collaboration reflects how their shared passion for dance continues influencing their family life.
Marriage in 2026
Harry Shum Jr. and Shelby Rabara remain married as of October 2026, approaching their 11th wedding anniversary.
Their relationship has lasted approximately 20 years, beginning with their first dates in 2006.
During that time, they have built successful entertainment careers, welcomed their daughter, and collaborated on creative projects.
Shum continues appearing in major television productions, including Grey’s Anatomy, while Rabara maintains her own career in acting and voice performance.
Their recent Dancing With the Stars appearance highlighted the connection they have maintained through two decades together.
For fans wondering who Harry Shum Jr.’s wife is, Shelby Rabara is much more than his longtime partner: she is an accomplished performer, the mother of their daughter Xia, and his collaborator in a family built around creativity and dance.
