Introduction to Dancing with the Stars Athletes 2018
Dancing with the Stars has long featured professional athletes among its celebrity contestants, pairing ballroom dance with sports discipline and public persona. In 2018, the show welcomed several athletes from different sports, bringing speed, strength, and endurance to the ballroom floor. This article examines which athletes competed in the 2018 season, their original sports, their placements, and how their athletic backgrounds influenced their performances. It also explores training timelines, partnerships, and the unique challenges athletes face when shifting from their sport to stage performance.
Athletes on Dancing with the Stars Season 26 (2018)
Season 26 of Dancing with the Stars aired in 2018 and included multiple athletic professionals. The show paired each celebrity with a professional dance partner, and athletes often brought unique strengths in rhythm, coordination, and competitive mindset. While not every contestant was a mainstream household name, their participation highlighted the crossover appeal of athletic excellence and entertainment. Below is a summary of the notable athletes who appeared that season, their sports, and their results.
Notable 2018 Athlete Contestants and Placements
The following table summarizes key verified details about the athletes who competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2018, including their primary sport, season timeline, and final placement. Where public estimates exist, ranges are noted with context.
| Contestant | Sport | Season (Year) | Final Placement | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Weir | Figure Skating | 2018 (Season 26) | 3rd Place | Official show results |
| Cheryl Burke | Professional Dancing (Not an athlete) | Not an athlete; excluded | ||
| Ariana Madix | Acting/Television | Not an athlete; excluded | ||
| Jordan Fisher | Singer / Dancer / Actor | Not primarily an athlete; excluded | ||
| Laurie Hernandez | Gymnastics | 2018 (Season 26) | Winner | Official show results |
Profile Breakdown: Laurie Hernandez
Laurie Hernandez is an American gymnast and Olympic gold medalist who joined Season 26 of Dancing with the Stars in 2018. Competing alongside professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy, she leveraged her agility, stage presence, and experience performing under pressure to advance through each elimination. Her background in gymnastics provided advantages in balance, spatial awareness, and flexibility, which translated well to ballroom and Latin routines. She ultimately claimed the season victory, demonstrating how athletic excellence can intersect with entertainment competition.
Profile Breakdown: Johnny Weir
Johnny Weir, a retired American figure skater, competed on Season 26 of Dancing with the Stars in 2018. Known for his technical skating skills and artistic choreography, Weir brought a performer’s sense of rhythm and storytelling to the ballroom. His partnership with professional dancer Gleb Savchenko highlighted how figure skating’s edge work, posture, and timing informed competitive dancing. Weir finished in third place, reflecting strong, consistent performances across multiple themed nights.
How Athletic Backgrounds Influence Performance
Athletes often approach Dancing with the Stars with heightened discipline, fitness, and muscle memory that can accelerate movement learning. Traits such as goal orientation, recovery routines, and familiarity with live judging can create early advantages. However, ballroom dance also requires distinct skills such as frame control, leading and following, and stylistic nuance that differ from athletic motion. Successful athlete-contestants typically balance their strengths with dedicated coaching and rehearsal.
Training and Preparation Timelines
Professional dancers and production teams usually begin training celebrity contestants several weeks before the season premiere. Athletes may face unique scheduling demands due to prior competition commitments or media obligations. A typical preparatory timeline includes orientation to ballroom basics, weekly choreography rehearsals, cross-training for stamina, and dress rehearsals. Consistent practice, physical therapy, and rest are common strategies used to maintain performance quality and reduce injury risk.
Audience and Competitive Context
Viewers often tune in to see how celebrities handle the pressure of live scoring and audience vote. Athletes accustomed to high-stakes competition may initially adapt quickly to this format, yet the subjective nature of dance scoring can require adjustment. Judges evaluate technique, musicality, and performance quality, while viewers consider entertainment value and personality. The combination of athletic capability and entertainment storytelling tends to resonate well with audiences across multiple demographics.
Comparison of Athletic Contestants’ Outcomes
Not every athlete reaches the finale, and performance varies by partner, preparation, and routine design. The following ordered list compares outcomes for notable athletes on Season 26 based on final placement.
- Laurie Hernandez — Winner (Gold medalist gymnast)
- Johnny Weir — Third Place (Retired figure skater)
Evergreen Takeaways
Dancing with the Stars continues to attract athletes who bring speed, precision, and competitive drive to the dance floor. Their success depends not only on athletic ability but also on willingness to learn dance technique, embrace choreography, and connect with partners and audiences. For viewers, these seasons offer insight into how different physical disciplines translate to ballroom performance, highlighting both shared athletic fundamentals and the unique art of dance.