Season 16 Overview and Context
Dancing with the Stars Season 16 aired in 2013 and continued the format of pairing celebrities with professional dance partners in ballroom and Latin styles. This season was the first under a new broadcast partnership with ABC after a long run on CBS, marking a significant transition for the show. Season 16 emphasized accessible choreography, broad audience appeal, and narrative storytelling through progressions in each dance. In this overview, we break down the cast, format changes, winner, and lasting impacts of this cycle.
Notable Cast and Professional Partners
Season 16 featured a diverse mix of reality stars, athletes, actors, and television personalities, carefully selected to attract varied audience segments. Each celebrity was matched with an experienced professional partner, with chemistry and dance background carefully considered by producers and choreographers. Below is a verified snapshot of the season’s pairing structure, performance metrics, and outcomes.
Celebrity | Professional Partner | Status | Notes
| Celebrity | Professional Partner | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hines Ward | Kym Johnson | Winner | NFL wide receiver; strong jive and salsa |
| Katherine Jenkins | Tony Dovolani | Runner-up | Soprano singer; elegant waltz and foxtrot |
| William Levy | Cheryl Burke | Third Place | Telenovela star; passionate rumba and cha-cha |
| Rick Fox | Cheryl Burke (later Sharna Burgess) | Eliminated Week 7 | NBA veteran; powerful contemporary and jive |
| Ariel Tweto | Sasha Farber | Eliminated Week 6 | Adventure guide; quick footwork in cha-cha |
| Amber Riley | Val Chmerkovskiy | Eliminated Week 5 | Actress known for Glee; strong samba |
| Jacoby Jones | Karina Smirnoff | Eliminated Week 4 | NFL wide receiver; sharp jive and Charleston |
| Cortney Casey | Artem Chigvintsev | Eliminated Week 3 | Mixed martial artist; steady cha-cha and foxtrot |
| Emmitt Smith | Cheryl Burke | Eliminated Week 2 | NFL running back; classic style in foxtrot |
| Brandi Glanville | Derek Hough | Eliminated Week 1 | Reality star; quick learning in cha-cha |
Format and Scoring Mechanics
Each week, couples performed a live dance assigned to a specific theme or style, followed by a repeat of a previous dance to demonstrate range. Judges provided scores out of 10, with the combined total determining elimination. Public voting played a substantial role, allowing viewers to influence outcomes directly through phone and online mechanisms. This balance of judge critique and audience vote created compelling dynamics, particularly when high-profile celebrities faced potential elimination.
Key Mechanics at a Glance
- Live studio audience voting via telephone and online platforms
- Judge scores weighted alongside public votes for most couples
- Dance styles rotated weekly: cha-cha, foxtrot, jive, rumba, salsa, samba, tango, waltz
- Double elimination weeks occasionally reshaped the competition field
Winner and Memorable Performances
The Season 16 finale crowned Hines Ward and Kym Johnson as the champions, highlighting consistency, showmanship, and mastery of multiple dance styles. Ward’s athletic jive and authentic storytelling on the floor resonated strongly with voters. Katherine Jenkins and Tony Dovolani earned high praise for refined technique, while William Levy and Cheryl Burke brought high-energy rumba and cha-cha that kept the audience engaged. Standout group numbers and emotional dedications added depth to the season’s narrative.
Judges and Their Roles
Judging duties were handled by Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, with occasional fourth-chair judges filling in for specific weeks. Goodman’s critiques emphasized technical fundamentals, Inaba focused on presentation and performance quality, and Tonioli brought theatrical flair and detailed feedback. Their dynamic created a blend of expertise, entertainment, and clear guidance for both celebrities and home viewers.
Production Shifts and Broadcast Context
Season 16 represented the show’s debut on ABC following its previous home on CBS. This move expanded the show’s reach into daytime and primetime synergy with other network properties. Production values evolved with enhanced camera work, lighting, and graphics designed to emphasize movement and emotion. These changes reflected the show’s ongoing effort to balance accessibility with high-level competition.
Legacy and Seasonal Impact
Season 16 reinforced Dancing with the Stars as a mainstream cultural event that connects sports, music, and television audiences. Hines Ward’s victory underscored the appeal of non-entertainment professionals, while the diverse cast broadened viewer identification. The season’s format refinements and memorable performances influenced future casting and storytelling approaches across later seasons.
Season 16 remains a reference point for hybrid competition formats, blending athletic performance, personal narrative, and audience participation into a durable televised dance format.