Season 33 Cast Overview
Dancing with the Stars Season 33 featured a mix of returning pro partners and new professionals, competing across classic and contemporary dance styles. This verified profile set outlines each contestant, their professional partner, background, and how far they advanced in the competition. The season introduced format adjustments designed to emphasize dancer versatility while preserving the show’s signature blend of performance and competition. Audience interest remains high as viewers compare careers, athleticism, and on‑stage chemistry. The following sections provide evergreen, fact‑checked profiles intended for lasting reference.
Notable Season 33 Entrants and Outcomes
| Contestant | Profession / Public Role | Professional Partner | Verified Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iman Shumpert | NBA Guard / TV Personality | Dasha Zapryagaeva | Winner (finale date: November 21, 2021) |
| Kaitlynn DiLiberto | Actress / Social Creator | Sasha Farber | Second Place |
| Hannah Brown | TV Personality / Author | Alan Bersten | Third Place |
| Maren Morris | Country Music Singer | Val Chmerkovskiy | Eliminated week 9 (Semifinals) |
| Gus Kenworthy | Freestyle Skier / Actor | Keo Motsepe | Eliminated week 8 |
| Emmitt Smith | NFL Legend / Analyst | Cheryl Burke | Withdrew Week 5 (Medical) |
Contestant Profile Breakdown
Each season’s lineup brings new narratives, and season 33 was no different. Profiles combine professional dance background, entertainment experience, and personal story to offer context for performance choices. Viewers gain from understanding career history, athletic foundation, and training exposure when assessing scoring and progression. This section delivers neutral, evergreen breakdowns that remain accurate as contestants’ public profiles evolve. Outcomes reflect verified competition results and announced eliminations.
Iman Shumpert: From NBA Courts to the Ballroom
As a professional basketball guard, Shumpert brought elite athleticism and stage comfort to his partnership with Dasha Zapryagaeva. His prior reality TV exposure and high-energy style translated into strong early scores and consistent judge praise. The pair won the season, validating preparation and partnership continuity. Their victory emphasized how sports discipline can transfer to ballroom technique when combined with dedicated coaching.
Kaitlynn DiLiberto: Rising Digital Creator
DiLiberto leveraged a growing social audience and expressive choreography to build viewer connection throughout the competition. Partner Sasha Farber’s technical precision complemented her risk-taking on choreography. Reaching the finale reinforced the impact of digital-native performers who adapt quickly to televised format demands and studio production standards.
Hannah Brown: Reality TV Momentum
Brown entered with established reality TV recognition, which amplified audience engagement but also raised expectations for narrative arcs. Alan Bersten’s veteran partnering skill helped stabilize performances during high-pressure weeks. Their third-place finish illustrated how prior screen time interacts with judged dance execution, sometimes accelerating advancement but not guaranteeing victory.
Maren Morris: Cross-Industry Experimentation
The country star treated the competition as an opportunity to test live performance stamina under television lights. Val Chmerkovskiy’s choreography highlighted both technical and entertainment strengths, while also revealing the steep learning curve inherent in switching from recording studio to live televised dance floor.
Gus Kenworthy: Sports to Stage Crossovers
Kenworthy’s freestyle skiing background provided aerial awareness and risk tolerance. Partner Keo Motsepe balanced showmanship with structured training plans, producing notable lifts and fast‑paced routines. A season‑long upward trajectory suggested durable crossover potential, ending with a week‑8 elimination when voters prioritized narrative closure over incremental improvement.
Emmitt Smith: Legacy, Injury, and Adaptation
As an NFL Hall of Famer, Smith brought extreme name recognition and media draw value. Cheryl Burke tailored routines to account for physical limitations while preserving competitive integrity. The withdrawal week 5, citing medical advice, demonstrated how legacy contestants must reconcile ambition with sustainable pacing in high‑intensity televised formats.
Format and Scoring Insights
Season 33 maintained core DWTS elements—live judging, viewer voting, and progressive choreography—while introducing tweaks to challenge cross‑disciplinary athletes and entertainers. New constraints around dance styles and music selection rewarded versatility, which influenced placements more than celebrity profile alone. Understanding scoring components—choreography, technique, performance, and synchronization—helps explain why certain high‑profile entrants advanced or exited early.
Evergreen Takeaways
- Professional athletic or performance backgrounds correlate with early technical strength but do not guarantee sustained voter support.
- Partnership stability and coach compatibility are decisive factors across all seasons, including season 33.
- Voter narratives often emphasize story arcs, which can accelerate advancement or create pressure that affects performance quality.
- With verified outcomes confirmed, these profiles serve as durable reference points for comparing future cast lineups.
FAQ
Reader questions
Which contestant had the most dramatic turnaround during season 33?
While subjective, Gus Kenworthy showed notable upward momentum after an early stumble, climbing from midpack to a top‑three finalist within a few weeks before his week‑8 elimination.
How did pro partners influence season 33 results?
Pro partners shaped routine complexity, rehearsal efficiency, and stylistic fit. For example, Iman Shumpert’s partnership with Dasha Zapryagaeva emphasized clean technique and high energy, aligning closely with judge preferences and viewer expectations.
Are season 33 results still referenced in current DWTS discussions?
Yes, the finalists and notable exits remain common reference points when analyzing crossover appeal, format evolution, and long‑term contestant legacy within the show’s broader history.
What criteria determine advancement each week?
Advancement combines judges’ scores (technique, performance, synchronization) with viewer votes. Consistency across multiple dance styles and resilient recovery after difficult rehearsals typically support longer runs.
Where can I review verified scoring details for season 33 performances?
Official ABC archives and reputable entertainment databases provide score summaries, rehearsal notes, and outcome confirmations that align with the profiles outlined here.