Introduction to DWTS Season 31 Finalists
This verified profile explains the DWTS season 31 finalists, professional dancer pairings, and competition status as of the season finale. Dancing with the Stars season 31 aired in 2022 and crowned Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy as champions. This evergreen explainer focuses on who the finalists were, how the finale unfolded, scoring context, and career backgrounds, drawing on official announcements and reputable entertainment reporting. Understanding these elements helps viewers evaluate outcomes and appreciate the show’s format longevity.
What Defines a DWTS Finalist
A DWTS finalist is a celebrity–professional pair that reaches the last stages of the competition, typically the top three or four couples, and remains eligible to win through the finale. Finalists are selected over weeks of competition based on combined judges’ scores and viewer votes, surviving double-elimination rounds and the semifinals. Reaching the finale requires consistent high scoring, quick dance ability improvements, and resilience after risk-style dances such as the fusion or instant choreography rounds.
The season 31 finale featured multiple high-impact performances, including contemporary, freestyle, and judges’ choice elements that shaped the final rankings. This profile clarifies terminology, scoring influence, and career implications for each finalist, supporting long-term reference value beyond the broadcast cycle.
Format: Elimination to Finale
- Quarterfinals and semifinals determine which pairs advance to the finale.
- Judges scores (out of 10) and public votes jointly protect a couple’s path.
- Finale performances include jive, freestyle, and fusion, deciding the champion.
Season 31 Finalists: Verified Profiles
Season 31 finalists represented a mix of returning pros and high-profile celebrities, with varied dance backgrounds and preexisting public profiles. The following table summarizes the top finalists, their pro partners, typical competition roles, and notable career context relevant to the finale.
| Celebrity | Professional Partner | Finale Rank | Prior Experience Before Season 31 | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xochitl Gomez | Val Chmerkovskiy | 1 (Champion) | Actress, prior unaired dance training; first-time competitor | Official announcement, news coverage |
| Hannah Brown | Alan Bersten | 2 (Runner-up) | The Bachelorette season 15 lead; previous DWTS pro (season 28) | ABC press, entertainment reporting |
| Iman Shumpert | Dasha Chesnokova | 3 (Third Place) | NBA player; DWTS newcomer | Network statements, judge interviews |
| Koko Iwasaki | Sasha Farber | 4 (Finalist) | Child actor; DWTS newcomer | Official results, recaps |
Profile Notes
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy emphasized emotional storytelling and precise technique, aligning their routines with character-driven performances that resonated with judges and viewers. Hannah Brown and Alan Bersten combined theatrical polish with competitive risk-taking, finishing as runners-up after strong freestyle weeks. Iman Shumpert and Dasha Chesnokova delivered energetic, technically sound performances, securing third place. Koko Iwasaki and Sasha Farber balanced youthful charisma with rapid skill development, concluding as a top-four finalist pair.
Scoring and Judging Context at the Finale
DWTS scoring at the finale blends judges’ marks (typically three judges) with real-time audience votes cast via app and phone. Each judge awards up to 10 points, and scores are doubled to align with the 40-point scale used in most weeks. The couple with the highest combined score wins, while tiebreak scenarios prioritize judges’ preferences in rare instances. Understanding scoring nuances clarifies why certain finalists advanced and how finale performances weighed artistic risk against technical execution.
Key Scoring Factors
- Judges’ criteria: technique, musicality, performance value, chemistry.
- Audience vote weight: varies by episode but decisive in finale votes.
- Risk multiplier: high-difficulty dances can boost scores significantly.
Career Outcomes and Public Impact
Finale placements often influence future opportunities, including touring, brand partnerships, and media appearances. Champions may see increased endorsement potential and social media growth, while runner-up and third-place finishers frequently leverage visibility for acting, hosting, or continued performance roles. The season 31 finalists’ trajectories reflect how DWTS exposure can accelerate careers, particularly for those with existing public recognition or entertainment industry experience.
Post-Season 31 Outcomes (Indicative)
- Championship tours and specials featuring the winning couple.
- Increased social media engagement for top finishers.
- Professional opportunities such as hosting, acting, and brand collaborations.
Common Misconceptions Clarified
Several myths persist about DWTS finalists, including scoring manipulation perceptions and assumptions about professional dancer celebrity pairings being fixed. In reality, pairings are curated by producers balancing chemistry, marketability, and dance compatibility, and scores are compiled through a transparent process audited by production and network standards. This status clarifier helps separate verified practices from speculation.
Evergreen Takeaways
DWTS season 31 finalists exemplified how format familiarity and evolving choreography sustain audience engagement over multiple years. The champion and runners-up each brought distinct strengths—narrative depth, technical precision, and entertainment flair—that align with the show’s blend of competition and storytelling. This evergreen explainer remains relevant as reference for future seasons, enabling comparisons in scoring, career impact, and public reception across eras.
References and Source Classification
Information in this explainer is derived from official DWTS announcements, reputable entertainment news outlets, and post-season interviews. The table entries are classified by source type to distinguish direct network communications from broader journalistic reporting, supporting transparency and long-term accuracy.
Classification and Taxonomy
This content is categorized under entertainment-competition retrospectives and performer profiles, with tags aligned to DWTS seasons, finalist tracking, and verified performer backgrounds. These classifications support durable search relevance and topic connectivity across related explainers and updates.