Ultimate Guide to Dancing with the Stars Winners: Complete List

The debut season of Dancing with the Stars aired on ABC starting June 1, 2005. Now celebrating its 33rd season, the beloved reality competition returned on September 17, 2024, showcasing a diverse roster of 13 celebrities paired with professional dancers vying for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

In this exciting format, celebrities team up with professional dancers to showcase their skills in hopes of winning the judges’ scores and audience votes. The combined tally determines which pairs face elimination each week.

Over the course of its 32 seasons, a wide array of celebrities has lifted the winner’s trophy. From celebrated Olympic champions to popular personalities from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, the show has seen it all. Below is a detailed list of winners from past seasons.

Dancing with the Stars Winners from 2005 to 2023

1) Kelly Monaco and Alec Mazo (Season 1, 2005)

Kelly Monaco, a star from General Hospital, was crowned the inaugural champion of Dancing with the Stars, alongside her dance partner Alec Mazo. Although she started with less-than-stellar scores, her dedication and progress throughout the season secured her the title. Upon winning the Mirrorball, Kelly exclaimed:

“I’ve always been the underdog… I’ve never won anything in my life, and this is incredible!”

2) Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke (Season 2, 2006)

Drew clinched the title alongside professional dancer Cheryl Burke in the second season. He mastered a variety of dance forms, including tango, Paso Doble, and freestyle, impressing the judges and achieving perfect scores. In the finale, the duo achieved flawless performances across the board. Drew currently resides in Cincinnati with his wife, Lea, a choreographer, and their two kids.

3) Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke (Season 3, 2006)

Emmitt Smith, a former NFL star best known for his time with the Dallas Cowboys, won season three of Dancing with the Stars alongside Cheryl Burke. His impressive transition from professional athlete to dancer amazed both judges and fans alike. Carrie Ann Inaba remarked that Emmitt was a true “everyday man who evolved into a dancer”right before their eyes.

4) Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough (Season 4, 2007)

Apolo, an Olympic short track speed skating champion, excelled in Dancing with the Stars season four, ultimately securing victory. He and fellow contestant Joey Fatone set a record for the most perfect scores in a single season.

5) Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough (Season 5, 2007)

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves triumphed in the fifth season of the show. Judges were mesmerized by his fast-paced quickstep during week eight, where they performed impressively in pale yellow costumes to “Hey Pachuco”from The Mask.

6) Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas (Season 6, 2008)

Kristi at the 2022 ESPYs - Arrivals (Image via Getty) — Kristi at the 2022 ESPYs – Arrivals (Image via Getty)

Kristi Yamaguchi, an Olympic gold medalist in figure skating, dominated the leaderboard for eight weeks in a row, ultimately becoming the second female winner of the series. After lifting the Mirrorball trophy, she dedicated her win to women’s empowerment, encouraging them to be resilient.

7) Brooke Burke and Derek Hough (Season 7, 2008)

Brooke at The 2023 Zodiac Ball (Image via Getty)

Television icon Brooke Burke took home the title in the seventh season. Following her victory, she later returned as the host. One of her standout performances was her jazzy foxtrot, which received perfect scores. Derek Hough noted that dancing with Brooke felt as if he was working with a true professional.

8) Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas (Season 8, 2009)

Shawn at the 2016 KPMG Women's PGA Championship (Image via Getty) — Shawn at the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship (Image via Getty)

Shawn Johnson triumphed in the eighth season with her partner Mark Ballas. As an artistic gymnast, she holds an Olympic gold and three silver medals. Her dramatic final freestyle routine secured her the win, narrowly defeating Gilles Marini with less than a 1% advantage.

9) Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson (Season 9, 2009)

Donny Osmond, a beloved figure in entertainment, won season nine of the competition. After a rocky start, he rejuvenated his image and skills, impressing the judges with his mastery of the Argentine Tango and freestyle dancing. Carrie praised him as “artistry in motion”as he made history as the oldest winner at age 52.

10) Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough (Season 10, 2010)

Derek Hough and Nicole Scherzinger (Image via Getty)

Nicole Scherzinger, the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, achieved remarkable scores in season ten, showcasing her skills with the Paso Doble, Argentine Tango, and Jive. After her win, she revealed her motivation was her late mother, a devoted fan of the show.

11) Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough (Season 11, 2010)

Following her season eleven victory, Jennifer released her memoir, Out of the Corner, citing Dancing with the Stars as a pivotal experience that aided her recovery after a serious neck injury. She remarked that if not for the accident, she may have never discovered her thyroid condition.

12) Hines Ward and Kym Johnson (Season 12, 2011)

Hines Ward, a well-known NFL player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, won the twelfth season while still active in the league. His perfect scores in samba earned him the title, and his performance left Carrie thrilled, labeling him the “MVP”of the season.

13) J. R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff (Season 13, 2011)

J. R. Martinez, a veteran of the Iraq war and actor, claimed victory in season thirteen, narrowly defeating Ricki Lake and Rob Kardashian for the Mirrorball Trophy. He expressed his gratitude to America for their faith in his abilities.

14) Donald Driver and Petra Murgatroyd (Season 14, 2012)

Donald Driver, a celebrated Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers, garnered perfect scores for his Cha Cha Cha in the season finale, impressing the judges with his skills. Bruno praised him for demonstrating the ‘strategy of a champion.’ In a heated final dance, Donald won the fourteenth edition of the show.

15) Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani (Season 15, 2012)

Melissa Rycroft secured the Mirrorball trophy in season fifteen after an astonishing samba to Rascal Flatts’ “Life is a Highway.”Judge Len Goodman remarked that watching their performance was his “greatest pleasure.”

16) Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough (Season 16, 2013)

Kellie showcased her talents with two standout performances in the sixteenth season that earned perfect scores. She attributed her success to her late grandfather, who encouraged her to follow her dream of participating in the show.

17) Amber Riley and Derek Hough (Season 17, 2013)

Amber secured five perfect scores throughout the season and won the seventeenth edition of Dancing with the Stars with a stunning Quickstep and Samba fusion. In her final words, she inspired women everywhere, declaring:

“I want to encourage every woman out there, regardless of size or color, to pursue your dreams. You can achieve anything!”

18) Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Season 18, 2014)

Meryl Davis, an Olympic ice dancer, achieved a perfect score alongside her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy in season 18. This season introduced the “Switch Up”format, allowing audience members to influence dance partnerships for a week, increasing the competition’s excitement.

19) Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson (Season 19, 2014)

After a ten-year wait, Alfonso Ribeiro won the Mirrorball Trophy in season nineteen. His spectacular jive routine captivated both the judges and audience, with Len Goodman likening his dance style to the effortless singing of Frank Sinatra.

20) Rumer Willis and Val Chmerkovskiy (Season 20, 2015)

Despite battling a rib injury, Rumer claimed victory in season twenty of Dancing with the Stars. The win was particularly significant for Val, marking his first championship after several attempts in previous seasons. Rumer later showcased her talent on Broadway in Chicago, stepping into the role of Roxie Hart.

21) Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough (Season 21, 2015)

Bindi’s touching tribute to her late father, Steve Irwin, highlighted her winning performances in season twenty-one. With a heartfelt dance to “Every Breath You Take,”she moved the audience to tears. Co-host Erin Andrews praised Bindi as the “shining light”of the season for her dedication and strength.

22) Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd (Season 22, 2016)

Nyle DiMarco, the first deaf contestant to win Dancing with the Stars, demonstrated exceptional talent with a remarkable cha cha cha and tango fusion in the finale, earning perfect scores from the judges.

23) Laurie Hernandez and Valentin Chmerkovskiy (Season 23, 2016)

At just 16 years old, Laurie Hernandez won the Mirrorball trophy in season twenty-three, making her the youngest champion and the first Latina to do so. Her finale featured a sultry Argentine tango and foxtrot to “We Are The Ones”by Son Lux, captivating judges and audiences alike.

24) Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater (Season 24, 2017)

Renowned NFL running back Rashad Jennings admitted he had never won a competition before participating in the show, leading him to work diligently during rehearsals. His dedication paid off as he emerged victorious in season twenty-four alongside Emma Slater.

25) Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold (Season 25, 2017)

Jordan Fisher’s win in season twenty-five also marked a significant milestone for Lindsay Arnold, who celebrated her first victory after ten seasons on the show. Len Goodman hailed Jordan as the “most complete male celebrity ever”to compete in Dancing with the Stars. Following his win, Jordan took on the role of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the Broadway production of Hamilton.

26) Adam Rippon and Jenna Johnson (Season 26, 2018)

Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon took home the Mirrorball trophy in season twenty-six with a jazzy final dance set to “Anything You Can Do.”Although stepping out of his comfort zone was a challenge, he dedicated his win to Jenna, who he credited as a supportive mentor.

27) Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess (Season 27, 2018)

Radio personality Bobby Bones humorously noted he felt “clueless”when he first joined Dancing with the Stars, but cherished every moment of the journey. His finale performance in a white satin tailcoat earned him the season 27 championship.

28) Hannah Brown and Alan Bersten (Season 28, 2019)

Hannah Brown made history as the first Bachelorette to win the Mirrorball Trophy on Dancing with the Stars. Her finales were impressive freestyle performances of “Girl on Fire”and “Hollaback Girl,”culminating in a perfect score from the judges.

29) Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev (Season 29, 2020)

In season twenty-nine, Kaitlyn and Artem delivered a captivating tango to Britney Spears’ “Toxic,”followed by a successful freestyle routine to “Sparkling Diamonds”from Moulin Rouge. Their outstanding performances earned them perfect scores, leading to their win.

30) Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach (Season 30, 2021)

Iman, the first NBA player to make it to the finals, faced challenges due to his height and lack of dance experience. However, after overcoming these hurdles, the duo achieved perfect scores, helping them secure the championship in season thirty.

31) Charlie D’Amelio and Mark Ballas (Season 31, 2022)

Social media sensation Charlie D’Amelio led the scoreboard throughout season 31, demonstrating her extensive experience in dance that began at age three. Ultimately, her skills helped her claim the Mirrorball Trophy.

32) Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy (Season 32, 2023)

Marvel actress Xochitl stood among the youngest competitors on the show, yet she consistently excelled throughout the season, giving her mentor his third victory. The duo was awarded for both their dances in the semifinals, solidifying their strong performance.

Catch Dancing with the Stars season 33, airing every Tuesday at 8 PM ET exclusively on ABC.

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