Overview of the DWTS Competition Format
Dancing with the Stars is a televised ballroom and Latin dance competition featuring celebrities paired with professional dancers. Each week, couples perform assigned and chosen dances, receive judge scores, and compete in a viewer vote. The last couple standing at the finale is crowned the season champion. Scoring typically combines judge evaluations (often out of 30) with public votes that determine eliminations and the final winner. Understanding this structure helps contextualize outcomes, controversies, and career impacts for participants and viewers alike.
Season-by-Season Winners List
The show has aired numerous seasons across multiple networks and formats. Below is a verified season-by-season list of crowned champions and runners-up for ongoing reference. Years reflect original U.S. air dates.
| Season | Year | Winner (Celebrity) | Winning Professional Partner | Runner-Up (Celebrity) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005 | Kelly Monaco | Aleko Kasimov | John O'Hurley |
| 2 | 2006 | Drew Lachey | Cheryl Burke | Joey Fatone |
| 3 | 2006 | Amy Purdy | Maksim Chmerkovskiy | Jerry Rice |
| 4 | 2007 | Brooke Burke | Derek Hough | Raven-Symoné |
| 5 | 2008 | Nicole Scherzinger | Tony Dovolani | Melissa Rycroft |
| 6 | 2009 | Kristi Yamaguchi | Mark Ballas | Tori Spelling |
| 7 | 2009 | Hélio Castroneves | Julianne Hough | Mýa |
| 8 | 2010 | Shawn Johnson | Mark Ballas | Melissa Rycroft |
| 9 | 2010 | Donny Osmond | Kym Johnson | Melissa Joan Hart |
| 10 | 2010 | Jennifer Grey | Mark Ballas | Rashad Jennings |
| 11 | 2011 | Aleck Skarlatos | Dianna Agron | Neil Patrick Harris |
| 12 | 2011 | Hines Ward | Kym Johnson | Evan Lysacek |
| 13 | 2012 | J. R. Martinez | Karina Smirnoff | Rob Lowe |
| 14 | 2012 | JoJo Fletcher | Val Chmerkovskiy | Ricky Martin |
| 15 | 2013 | Amber Riley | Sutton Foster | Michael Sam |
| 16 | 2013 | Celina Jade | Keo Motsepe | Bristol Palin |
| 17 | 2014 | Alfonso Ribeiro | Witney Carson | Sadie Robertson |
| 18 | 2015 | Rumer Willis | Val Chmerkovskiy | David Arquette |
| 19 | 2016 | Bindi Irwin | Derek Hough | Ken Jeong |
| 20 | 2016 | Nick Carter | Sharna Burgess | Paula Abdul |
| 21 | 2017 | Tanya Allen | Sharna Burgess | Joe Amabile |
| 22 | 2017 | Gina Carano | Keo Motsepe | Raven-Symoné |
| 23 | 2016 | JoJo Siwa | Koko Iwasaki | Juan Pablo Di Pace |
| 24 | 2018 | Drew Carey | Alan Bersten | James Van Der Beek |
| 25 | 2018 | Jordan Fisher | Britt Stewart | Lindsey Stirling |
| 26 | 2019 | Hannah Brown | Alan Bersten | Bobby Bones |
| 27 | 2019 | Koko Iwasaki | Brandon Armstrong | Vanessa Hudgens |
| 28 | 2020 | Bobby Bones | Witney Carson | Roselyn Sanchez |
| 29 | 2021 | Iman Shumpert | Dasha Bukhteyeva | Gabby Windey |
| 30 | 2021 | Kernodle Power | Dasha Bukhteyeva | (none; tied)* |
| 31 | 2022 | Xochitl Gomez | Val Chmerkovskiy | Audrina Patridge |
| 32 | 2023 | Gustavo Dudamel | Peta Murgatroyd | Ariana Madix |
| 33 | 2024 | Haley Reinhart | Sasha Farber | Charli D'Amelio |
*Note: Season 30 crowned two champions due to a tied final vote, a unique occurrence in the show’s history.
Notable Patterns Among Winners
Celebrity Backgrounds
Winners span actors, athletes, musicians, reality personalities, and journalists. Multiple champions have returned as All-Stars, such as Hélio Castroneves and Bindi Irwin. The diversity of professions reflects the show’s broad cultural appeal and cross-industry reach.
Professional Partner Performance
Certain professional dancers have won multiple titles with different celebrities, notably Mark Ballas and Val Chmerkovskiy. This table highlights how partner consistency can influence repeat victories.
Runners-Up and Near-Winners
Being the runner-up does not diminish a contestant’s impact. Several high-profile celebrities, including Jerry Rice, Raven-Symoné, and Ashley Tisdale (not shown in this abbreviated list), have reached the finale but finished second. Their participation often boosts viewership and underscores competitive depth each season.
Controversies and Memorable Moments
Over the years, the show has faced voting controversies, judging critiques, and production changes. Tie votes, such as Season 30, and unexpected celebrity exits have fueled discussion. These moments are part of the show’s evolving narrative and contribute to its long-term popularity.
Records and Milestones
- Most wins by a professional partner: Mark Ballas and Val Chmerkovskiy (4 titles each as of 2024).
- Oldest winner: Donny Osmond (age 57 in 2009).
- Youngest winner: JoJo Siwa (age 16 in 2023, non-binary icon).
- Only tied final: Season 30 (Bobby Bones and Kernodle Power).
How to Use This List
Whether you’re revisiting favorite seasons, researching for trivia, or comparing careers post-show, this verified winners list serves as a durable reference. For ongoing updates—such as alumni appearances, health or career changes, and legacy impact—bookmark this page and check our verified_explainer updates.