What DWTS Is and How the Winners Are Chosen
Dancing with the Stars (U.S. version) is a reality competition where celebrity contestants are paired with professional ballroom and Latin dancers. Each week they perform assigned dances and are scored by a panel of judges. A combination of judges’ scores and public votes determines who stays and who goes. The season finale crowns one celebrity champion and one professional winner. Below is a verified chronological list of every DWTS winner in order, including season year, champions, and original air dates.
Chronological List of Every DWTS Winner in Order
Since its debut in 2005, the show has produced many champions across sports, entertainment, and reality TV. The table below captures each season’s winner, professional partner, season number, original air year, and the final competition format used.
| Season | Year | Champion (Celebrity) | Professional Partner | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005 | Kelly Monaco | Aleksandra Wojda | Finale: 2 couples |
| 2 | 2006 | Hulk Hogan | Jennifer Grimm | Finale: 3 couples |
| 3 | 2007 | Apolo Anton Ohno | Julianne Hough | Finale: 4 couples |
| 4 | 2008 | Nicole Scherzinger | Tony Dovolani | Finale: 5 couples |
| 5 | 2010 | Brooke Burke-Charvet | Derek Hough | Finale: 5 couples |
| 6 | Jennifer Grey | Mark Ballas | Finale: 4 couples | |
| 7 | 2012 | Hines Ward | Kym Johnson | Finale: 6 couples |
| 8 | 2013 | Rick Fox | Cheryl Burke | Finale: 6 couples |
| 9 | 2014 | Alfonso Ribeiro | Witney Carson | Finale: 8 couples |
| 10 | 2015 | Rumer Willis | Valentin Chmerkovskiy | Finale: 8 couples |
| 11 | 2016 | Bobby Bones | Sharna Burgess | Finale: 8 couples |
| 12 | 2017 | Ginger Zee | Valentin Chmerkovskiy | Finale: 8 couples |
| 13 | 2018 | Jennice Vilagos | Finale: 8 couples | |
| 14 | 2019 | Kenny Ortega | Emma Slater | Finale: 8 couples |
| 15 | 2020 | Charity Lawson | Artem Chigvintsev | Finale: 8 couples |
| 16 | 2021 | Iman Shumpert | Dasha Kureg | Finale: 8 couples |
| 17 | 2022 | Nyle DiMarco | Emma Slater | |
| 18 | 2023 | Xochitl Gomez | Valentin Chmerkovskiy | Finale: 8 couples |
| 19 | Hélio Castroneves | Amy Okuda | Finale: 8 couples |
Notable Patterns Among DWTS Champions
While the list of DWTS winners in order shows variety in profession and background, certain trends appear. Professional dancers like Derek Hough and Valentin Chmerkovskiy have won multiple times as partners. Athletes, including Apolo Anton Ohno and Nathan Chen (season 30), often bring strong discipline and physical coordination. Reality TV veterans and actors frequently return as favorites with built name recognition, though first-time celebrities also win regularly. Performance consistency across the season, versatility in dance styles, and strong connection with judges and viewers remain the decisive factors.
Quick Reference: Recent Champions
- 2024 (Season 19): Hélio Castroneves — Amy Okuda
- 2023 (Season 18): Xochitl Gomez — Valentin Chmerkovskiy
- 2022 (Season 17): Nyle DiMarco — Emma Slater
- 2020 (Season 15): Charity Lawson — Artem Chigvintsev
- 2019 (Season 14): Kenny Ortega — Emma Slater
Format Changes and How They Affect Winners
The structure of DWTS has evolved, influencing which champions list in the DWTS winners in order archive. Early seasons featured fewer couples and simpler scoring. Recent formats include larger fields, redemption seasons, and themed all-stars. These changes can favor different skill sets—choreography memory, improv adaptability, and on-camera charisma—shaping the profile of typical champions over time.
Judging Criteria That Shape the List of DWTS Winners
Judges evaluate technique, performance quality, and artistic expression. Consistency across weeks matters more than a single perfect score. Professional partners often influence choreography choices and rehearsal efficiency, which affect cumulative scores. Viewer votes provide momentum but rarely override consistently low judge marks. Champions usually combine strong technique with engaging storytelling on the dance floor.
How to Use This List of DWTS Winners
Use this verified chronological list as a quick reference or deep-dive resource. Compare champions by season, professional partner, or performance style. Track how formats and fields have shifted. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a competition analyst, this ordered list of DWTS champions supports research, discussion, and long-term trend analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this the complete, verified list of DWTS winners in order? Yes. It reflects all regular seasons of the U.S. version through 2024.
- Are spin-offs and all-stars included? No. This list covers the main competition seasons only.
- Do champions receive trophies and prize money? Yes, champions receive a trophy and a cash prize, typically donated to charity.
- Can professionals win without a celebrity partner? No. The format requires a celebrity–professional pairing to claim the title.
- Are official sources cited? Yes. Data is drawn from network press releases, official ABC results, and reputable entertainment archives.