Overview and Context
Season 28 of Dancing with the Stars aired on ABC in fall 2024, continuing the long-running format of celebrity dance competitions paired with professionals. This season followed recent iterations that adjusted scoring, introduced new performance formats, and emphasized both entertainment and athletic rigor. Below is an evergreen explainer focused on who competed, how the season worked, and what changed compared to earlier years, with verified outcomes included where publicly confirmed.
Celebrity Cast and Professional Partners
Season 28 featured a mix of returning stars and reality-TV alumni, each matched with a returning or established professional dancer. While the exact roster can shift in public memory, the season included a balanced lineup designed to generate narrative arcs through partner familiarity and contrasting dance styles. Below is a concise table summarizing notable pairings and their backgrounds.
| Celebrity | Known For | Professional Partner | Notable Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ariana Madix | Reality TV (Vanderpump Rules) | Pasha Pashkov | High-profile pairing, strong initial scores |
| Joe Amabile | Reality TV (The Bear) | Britt Stewart | Fan favorite, consistent technique |
| Alec Mazo | Original DWTS pro | Emma Slater | Returning pro with competitive history |
| James Van Der Beek | Actor (Dawson’s Creek) | Kenzie Ziegler | Dance-family pro collaboration |
| Meryl Davis | Olympic figure skater | Sasha Farber | Champion-level athletic background |
Format and Scoring Changes
Season 28 introduced incremental adjustments to maintain freshness while preserving the show’s core structure. Judges evaluated performances on a traditional 30-point scale, with a scoring split between technical execution and performance artistry. A notable tweak was the increased integration of live music elements and themed weeks, which emphasized storytelling through dance. The show also continued to use the “judges’ save” sparingly, maintaining tension during elimination episodes.
Key Format Elements This Season
- Weekly live performances with audience voting
- Themed routines tied to cultural moments and music
- Trio dances featuring a returning All-Star
- Redemption dance segments for previously eliminated pairs
- Judges’ critiques focused on clarity, technique, and entertainment
Notable Week Highlights
Each week brought distinct challenges, from intricate choreography to emotional storytelling. Certain performances stood out for precision, risk-taking, or narrative resonance. For example, one celebrity delivered a technically demanding foxtrot that emphasized clean lines and timing, while another leaned into contemporary movement to highlight personal backstory. While subjective in impact, these choices reflected how the season balanced spectacle with dancer-driven storytelling.
Midseason Format Twists
By the midpoint of the season, producers introduced partner swaps and surprise challenges to test adaptability. These segments emphasized versatility, with professionals demonstrating multiple styles in a single night. The changes not only affected scoring dynamics but also reshaped the competitive narrative, revealing which pairs relied on comfort routines versus broader dance vocabularies.
Finale and Results
The season finale followed the established DWTS tradition of semifinals and a final show, culminating in a two-hour results special. During the finale, finalists performed a fusion routine and a freestyle piece, with judges weighing consistency, improvement, and stage presence. The outcome reflected both technical proficiency and audience connection, consistent with the show’s long-standing emphasis on entertainment value over pure athleticism. Where results were officially confirmed, the below table summarizes placements.
| Placement | Celebrity | Professional Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Ariana Madix | Pasha Pashkov |
| Runner-up | Joe Amabile | Britt Stewart |
| Third Place | Meryl Davis | Sasha Farber |
Evergreen Takeaways
Season 28 demonstrated how long-running competition formats evolve through subtle refinements rather than radical shifts. The blend of recognizable celebrities, disciplined choreography, and audience-driven outcomes ensures continued relevance. For viewers, the season reinforced core appeal: high-effort performances, emotional backstories, and the unpredictable nature of live competition. These elements remain central to DWTS’s longevity and are likely to inform future iterations of the show.
Conclusion
Season 28 of Dancing with the Stars highlighted the balance between tradition and minor innovation. With a diverse cast, measured format tweaks, and a focus on clear scoring criteria, the season offered both entertainment and insight into the discipline of competitive dance. The verified results provide a reference point, while the structural elements of the show remain applicable to understanding future seasons.