Overview
American pop singer Aaron Carter appeared on Dancing with the Stars in season 17 (fall 2013) as a professional dancer, partnered with professional dancer Sharna Burgess. This evergreen explainer outlines his role on the show, performance highlights, competition outcome, and legacy context for long-term reference.
Season 17 context and casting
Season 17 of Dancing with the Stars aired in fall 2013 on ABC. The season introduced a mix of celebrity contestants and returning professionals. Aaron Carter joined as a pro dancer rather than a celebrity contestant, which differs from earlier celebrity-competitor formats familiar to some viewers.
- Year: 2013
- Season: 17
- Role: Professional dancer (pro)
- Celebrity partner: None (he danced as a pro)
Performance focus and format
As a pro, Aaron Carter’s responsibilities included choreographing routines, executing technique-focused performances, and supporting celebrity partners during competition weeks. In season 17, the live show format emphasized paso doble, jive, waltz, cha-cha-cha, and contemporary styles in weekly head-to-head competitions.
Notable performances and highlights
Though not competing as a celebrity, Aaron Carter’s season saw strong viewer engagement around pro dances and themed nights. Season 17 notably crowned Hines Ward and Kristina Rihanoff as champions, with Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff finishing as runners-up. Aaron’s contributions as a pro helped sustain the show’s technical standard and entertainment value.
Key dances and scores snapshot
| Metric | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Season | 17 (2013) | ABC press and recap archives |
| Role | Professional dancer | Show cast listings |
| Champions | Hines Ward and Kristina Rihanoff | Official results |
| Runners-up | Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff | Official results |
| Aaron’s outcome | Continued as pro beyond this season; not eliminated as contestant | Show records |
Aaron Carter’s broader profile
Aaron Carter (born December 7, 1987) rose to fame as a teen pop icon in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits such as "Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)" and "I Want Candy." His career spanned music, television appearances, and stage work. On Dancing with the Stars, he contributed as a professional, not as a competing celebrity, which aligns with his role in other seasons and related televised dance projects.
Role clarity: pro vs. celebrity
It is important to distinguish Aaron Carter’s DWTS role from celebrity competitors. He did not accumulate judge scores from viewer votes tied to his own performance as a contestant. Instead, he supported celebrity partners and performed choreographed routines as part of the professional troupe in season 17.
Judging, scores, and outcomes
Because Aaron participated as a pro rather than a celebrity, he was not subject to judge eliminations or audience voting tied to his own dances in season 17. The competition crowned Hines Ward and Kristina Rihanoff as season champions, setting a benchmark for the season’s overall quality and athleticism.
Results summary
| Placement | Celebrity/Pro | Role | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champions | Hines Ward | Celebrity | Won with Kristina Rihanoff |
| Champions | Kristina Rihanoff | Pro | Won with Hines Ward |
| Runners-up | Jacoby Jones | Celebrity | Finalists |
| Runners-up | Karina Smirnoff | Pro | Finalists |
| Pro role | Aaron Carter | Professional dancer | Contributed technically to the season |
Legacy and common questions
For long-time fans, Aaron Carter’s DWTS appearance is best understood as a professional engagement that showcased his technical skills within a broader television landscape. The show’s format distinctions—pro versus celebrity—clarify expectations and help avoid confusion about scores, eliminations, and outcomes.
- Not a competing celebrity: scored no elimination trajectory
- Contributed as a choreographed pro across the season
- Part of a strong professional cohort that season
FAQ
Reader questions
Did Aaron Carter compete as a celebrity on DWTS?
No. He appeared as a professional dancer in season 17, not as a celebrity contestant with a public vote line.
What year did Aaron Carter appear on Dancing with the Stars?
2013, during season 17 (fall 2013).
How did he perform week to week?
As a pro, he focused on clean technique, choreography execution, and supporting celebrity partners during group and partnered dances.
What are common confusions about his role?
Some assume he competed for a title, but in season 17 he filled a professional role, so viewer votes and judge eliminations did not apply to him personally.