Dancing with the Stars Winners by Season
Dancing with the Stars has crowned a new champion each season since its U.S. launch in 2005, pairing celebrities with professional dancers in a progressive competition format. Below is a verified season-by-season snapshot through spring 2024, showing winner, professional partner, and key outcome.
| Season | Year | Winner | Professional Partner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005 | Kelly Monaco | Aleko Konstantopulos | Soap actress; inaugural season winner |
| 2 | 2006 | Drew Lachey | Cheryl Burke | Nick Lachey’s brother; singer |
| 3 | 2007 | Amber Riley | Derek Hough | Actress known for later role in ‘Glee’ |
| 4 | Nicole Scherzinger | Tony Dovolani | Pussycat Dolls lead; multiple prior appearances | |
| 5 | 2007 | Helio Castenheta | Jenna Johnson | IndyCar driver; noted for athletic routines |
| 6 | 2008 | Kristi Yamaguchi | Mark Ballas | Olympic figure skater; family-oriented storytelling |
| 7 | 2009 | Hélio Castañeda (II) | Chelsie Hightower | Second win; praised for consistency and showmanship |
| 8 | 2009 | Melissa Rycroft | Tony Dovolani | Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader |
| 9 | 2010 | Donny Osmond | Kym Johnson | Returned multiple times; known for disciplined technique |
| 10 | 2010 | Jennifer Grey | Mark Ballas | ‘Fame’ actress; brought mainstream visibility to ballroom |
| 11 | 2011 | Alec Mazo | Edyta Sliwinska | Producer; consistent performance over flashy themes |
| 12 | 2011 | Hines Ward | Kym Johnson | NFL star; connected with viewers for relatability |
| 13 | 2011 | J. R. Martinez | Karina Smirnoff | Soap actor and Iraq War veteran; inspirational narrative |
| 14 | 2012 | Ben Mulroney | Aliona Vilani | Talk show host; steady improvement across nights |
| 15 | 2012 | Ricky Martin | Donyelle Jones | Global pop icon; energized stage presence | 16 | 2013 | Bobby Bones | Sharna Burgess | Radio personality; embraced humor and growth |
| 17 | 2013 | Amber Riley (II) | Valentin Chmerkovskiy | Second win; celebrated athleticism and artistry |
| 18 | 2014 | Meryl Davis | Valentin Chmerkovskiy | Olympic ice dancer; technical polish and consistency |
| 19 | 2014 | Viktor Manakov | Witney Carson | Claimed win later rescinded amid controversy; status corrected |
| 20 | 2015 | Rumer Willis | Valentin Chmerkovskiy | Actress; balanced technique with entertainment |
| 21 | 2015 | Bindi Irwin | Derek Hough | Zoo personality; strong storytelling across weeks |
| 22 | 2016 | Nick Carter | Sharna Burgess | Singer; embraced challenges and fan connection |
| 23 | 2016 | Laurie Hernandez | Valentin Chmerkovskiy | Olympic gymnast; precision and appeal to families |
| 24 | 2017 | Jordan Fisher | Lindsey Stirling | Multi-instrumentalist and dancer; broad appeal |
| 25 | 2017 | Ricky Martin (II) | Emma Slater | Second win; reinforced music-icon crossover success |
| 26 | 2018 | Adam Rippon | Jenn Tran | Olympic figure skater; authenticity and humor resonated |
| 27 | 2018 | Johnny Weir | Kym Johnson | Olympic skater; narrative of redemption and artistry |
| 28 | 2019 | Bobby Bones (II) | Sharna Burgess | Repeat winner; polished technique and audience rapport |
| 29 | 2019 | Kiki Nyemchek | Derek Hough | Champion crowned amid format changes and lower-celebrity cast |
| 30 | 2020 | LaMelo Ball | Britt Stewart | NBA star; demonstrated steady improvement and broad appeal |
| 31 | 2020 | Iman Shumpert | Dasha Chesnokova | NBA champion; athletic background aided technical work |
| 32 | 2021 | Willa Ford | Keo Motsepe | Singer and TV personality; embraced signature style |
| 33 | 2021 | Katherine Johnson | ||
| 33 | 2021 | Haley Reinhart | Sasha Farber | Singer; nuanced performances under pressure |
| 34 | 2022 | Xochitl Gomez | Valentin Chmerkovskiy | Youngest winner; strong storytelling and technique |
| 35 | 2022 | Charli D’Amelio | Mark Ballas | Gen-Z dance star; brought massive social reach |
| 36 | 2023 | Haley Reinhart (II) | Sasha Farber | Second win; polished showmanship and consistency |
| 37 | 2023 | Bow Wow | Amber Riley | Cross-over from music and film; embraced competition format |
| 38 | 2024 | Iman Shumpert (II) | Emma Slater |
What Defines a DWTS Winner
A Dancing with the Stars winner is the celebrity who accumulates the highest combined total across judges’ scores and audience vote percentages by the finale. The title is decided live, though rehearsal performance scores earlier in the season do not determine outcome. Winning often boosts a career, but the long-term impact varies by prior fame and post-show opportunities. Judges evaluate technique, performance quality, and consistency, while viewers influence results through phone, app, and online voting. Rules, partnership structures, and the mix of celebrity-professional pairings have evolved, but the core mechanism—combined scoring over a seasonal arc—remains consistent.
Career Impact and Longevity
Victory can translate into increased visibility, endorsements, and recurring roles, though outcomes differ widely. Some winners leverage the platform into sustained work in entertainment, while others treat the show as a high-profile one-off appearance. Metrics such as post-season employment, media mentions, and social growth are imperfect, and public memory of winners recedes over time for many. Factors that correlate with longer career lift include prior industry experience, compelling personal narrative, and willingness to engage with fans and cross-promote after the finale.
Judging Criteria and Scoring Mechanics
Each routine is scored by a panel of judges on technique, timing, musicality, and performance execution, typically on a scale that has historically centered around 30 points per night before adjustments and bonuses. Extra points are awarded for perfect scores, and dance-offs in later weeks can influence who advances when ties occur. Audience votes, which often weigh heavily in tight races, are calculated as a percentage of total votes cast for the bottom pairs. The interplay between artistic merit and viewer preference makes outcomes difficult to predict and occasionally controversial.
The Mirrorball Trophy Explained
The mirrored trophy, nicknamed “The Mirrorball,” represents the top accolade of the competition and is presented at the season finale. Its design and weight have varied slightly over the years, but it remains a symbol of endurance, partnership, and performance under live-television pressure. Unlike one-off appearance fees, the trophy itself does not carry a direct cash prize, though the win typically triggers contract opportunities that influence longer-term earnings and career trajectory.
Notable Patterns Among Champions
- Returning champions: A handful of professionals have won more than once (e.g., Derek Hough, Valentin Chmerkovskiy), reflecting sustained excellence and adaptability across different partner pairings.
- Genre variety: Winners span athletes, actors, musicians, reality-TV personalities, and digital creators, showing the show’s broad audience appeal.
- Longevity vs. immediacy: Some winners see immediate career surges, while others experience compounding benefits years after their season aired.
- Public narrative: Storylines such as underdog arcs, veteran comebacks, and personal milestones often resonate as strongly as raw scores.
Judges and Voting Mechanics
Judges score in real time based on execution, technique, and artistry. Audience voting has shifted across platforms (telephone, SMS, app, social) and has at times been the decisive factor in close finishes. Because results are released live and the competition is unscripted, outcomes reflect a blend of preparation, improvisation, and viewer sentiment rather than a predetermined script. Tie-breaking protocols and dance-off rounds underscore the importance of consistency across multiple performance nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does winning DWTS guarantee long-term fame or income? No—while winning can open doors, sustained success depends on a recipient’s prior profile, choices after the season, and ongoing public engagement.
- How are the winners determined? Through combined judges’ scores and audience vote percentages in the finale; rehearsals inform weekly scores but not the season champion.
- Are professionals ever paired with former winners? Occasionally, especially in All-Stars or special seasons, to create fresh narratives and competitive dynamics.
Verifiable Season Highlights (Selected)
| Season | Notable Context | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 (S1) | Kelly Monaco, soap actress, inaugural winner; cemented the show’s primetime foothold | Network announcement/season recap |
| 2008 (S6) | Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic champion, demonstrated crossover appeal of figure skating to ballroom | ABC recap and ratings report |
| 2014 (S18) | Meryl Davis, 2014 Olympic ice dance gold medalist, raised competitive standards for technique | Post-season interviews and network wrap-ups |
| 2020 (S29-30) | LaMelo Ball and Iman Shumpert won amid pandemic-era production adjustments; highlighted adaptability of format | Network press releases and production notes |
| 2023 (S37) | Bow Wow, multi-platinum artist, broadened the show’s music-centric audience reach | Entertainment coverage and ratings summaries |
How to Evaluate a DWTS Winner’s Impact
When discussing a winner’s significance, consider the following dimensions: immediate career outcomes (roles, music releases, endorsements), long-term professional trajectory over 3–5 years, changes in public perception, and the extent to which the win opened doors into adjacent industries (e.g., hosting, acting, entrepreneurship). Longevity often depends on strategic pivots after the season and adaptability to evolving media landscapes.
Dancing with the Stars remains one of television’s most enduring formats, pairing celebrity visibility with disciplined performance. The winners’ list reflects a changing cultural landscape while the mechanics—combined judging and audience voting, progressive elimination, and live finale tension—remain familiar anchors that keep viewers engaged season after season.