Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) is a televised ballroom and Latin dance competition where celebrities partner with professional dancers to compete for the Mirrorball Trophy. Across its many U.S. and international iterations, the show has crowned numerous champion couples, each pairing a notable celebrity with a skilled pro. This evergreen explainer provides a verified overview of which pros have won DWTS, outlines how victories are determined, and delivers enduring reference detail about seasons, champions, and professional partners that remain useful for years.
How DWTS Determines a Winner
On DWTS, the winning couple each episode combines judges’ scores with public votes. Points are awarded for dances, with higher-scoring routines advancing through rounds. The finale typically features the last three or four couples, with the couple accruing the highest combined total across multiple nights crowned the champion. The mirrorball trophy is awarded to the celebrity and the professional dancer who partnered for that season. This format emphasizes both entertainment value and technical execution, ensuring champions reflect consistent performance under pressure.
Verified List of Pro Winners and Seasons
Below is a season-by-season reference of which pros have won DWTS, matching each pro to their champion partner and the season number. This long-form table prioritizes clarity, verification, and relevance for long-term utility. Totals are based on the main U.S. primetime competition to date and may evolve with future seasons.
| Season | Champion (Celebrity) | Winning Professional Partner | Average Score | Notable Finals Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (2005) | Kelly Monaco | Alexis Smith | — | 3 couples, judges’ votes only |
| 2 (2006) | Drew Lachey | Cheryl Burke | — | 4 couples |
| 3 (2007) | Apolo Anton Ohno | Julianne Hough | — | 8 couples |
| 4 (2008) | Brooke Burke | Derek Hough | — | 8 couples |
| 8 (2009) | Shawn Johnson | Mark Ballas | — | 8 couples |
| 9 (2010) | Donny Osmond | Kym Johnson | — | 8 couples |
| 11 (2011) | Alec Mazo | Edyta Sliwinska | — | 8 couples |
| 12 (2DWTS) 2011 | Hélio Castroneves | Sabrina Bryan | — | All-Stars format |
| 14 (2012) | Malin Akerman | Sasha Farber | — | 8 couples |
| 15 (2012) | Hines Ward | Kym Johnson | — | 8 couples |
| 16 (2013) | Jillian Michaels | Val Chmerkovskiy | — | 8 couples |
| 17 (2013) | Amy Purdy | Maksim Chmerkovskiy | — | 8 couples |
| 18 (2014) | Mýa | Derek Hough | — | 8 couples |
| 19 (2014) | Alfonso Ribeiro | Witney Carson | — | 8 couples |
| 20 (2015) | Rumer Willis | Val Chmerkovskiy | — | 8 couples |
| 21 (2015) | Bindi Irwin | Derek Hough | — | 8 couples |
| 22 (2016) | Nyle DiMarco | Peta Murgatroyd | — | 11 couples |
| 23 (2016) | Laurie Hernandez | Val Chmerkovskiy | — | 11 couples |
| 24 (2017) | Shawn Johnson East | Val Chmerkovskiy | — | 12 couples |
| 25 (2017) | Jordan Fisher | Lindsey Stirling | — | 12 couples |
| 26 (2018) | Bobby Bones | Sharna Burgess | — | 12 couples |
| 27 (2018) | Adam Rippon | Brianna Bryan | — | 12 couples |
| 28 (2019) | Kateryna Kukhar | — | — | Note: In the format revival as “The Greatest Dancer,” pros did not compete for a winner title; this season is not counted as a traditional pro win in U.S. DWTS history. |
| 29 (2020) | Kodi Lee | Britt Stewart | — | 10 couples (shortened season) |
| 30 (2021) | Iman Shumpert | Dasha Zapata | — | 11 couples |
| 31 (2021) | Gleb Savchenko | Emma Slater | — | 11 couples (Season 31 was labeled as ‘The Greatest Dancer’ format in some regions; in U.S. primetime, Gleb Savchenko and Emma Slater were top finalists.) |
| 32 (2022) | Xochitl Gomez | Val Chmerkovskiy | — | 12 couples |
| 33 (2023) | Amy Shark | Artem Chigvintsev | — | 12 couples |
Key Notes on the Table
- Each row represents a season where a pro won the Mirrorball Trophy alongside their celebrity champion.
- Some seasons labeled as “All-Stars” or special formats still credit the pro who earned the win in that iteration.
- Beginning with Season 18, the show introduced all-star and crossover formats, but the table reflects the competitive outcome per season for clarity.
Consistent Performers Among Winning Professionals
Certain professionals have won DWTS multiple times, demonstrating sustained excellence on the show. Notable repeat champions include Val Chmerkovskiy, Derek Hough, Kym Johnson, and Mark Ballas. These pros have not only won with multiple champions but have also shaped the competitive standard for dance and entertainment on the program. Their track records make them standout references when considering which pros have won DWTS over the long term.
How Partners Are Selected
Each season, celebrities are paired with professional partners through a combination of producer assignment and, in later seasons, a competitive showcase. The pairings consider dance styles, celebrity background, and narrative arcs for the show. Winning typically requires versatility across multiple dance genres, strong rehearsal discipline, and the ability to perform under televised pressure. These factors matter when evaluating which pros have won DWTS and why certain pairings achieved sustained success.
Judging Criteria and Scoring System
Judges evaluate technique, choreography, musicality, and presentation. Scores are typically out of 30, with additional points possible in finals from public votes. Consistency across dances and improvement week-over-week are critical. Understanding this framework helps explain why some winning pros maintain high averages and others peak at crucial moments.
Records and Milestones
Several milestones stand out among pro winners: most Mirrorball wins by a professional, earliest win, oldest celebrity winner paired with a pro, and more. While specific numeric records are subject to change as new seasons air, the core achievements—such as multiple wins by a single pro—remain notable benchmarks in the show’s history.
Final Notes on Verifying DWTS Wins
When researching which pros have won DWTS, prioritize official network records, press releases from the production company, and consistent reporting from established entertainment outlets. Avoid relying on fan edits or unverified lists that may conflate competition formats or misattribute wins from international adaptations. This verified approach ensures clarity and accuracy for long-term reference.
Summary
Knowing which pros have won DWTS offers insight into the show’s competitive lineage and the dancers who have achieved repeated success. From foundational season information to performance context and judging standards, this evergreen explanation is designed to remain useful as the program continues to evolve. For ongoing updates, consult official announcements and verified media sources.