Answer Summary: Who Won Season 31 in 2022
Dancing with the Stars aired its thirty-first season in 2022 on ABC. The competition concluded with Iman Shumpert and his professional partner Daniella Karagach being crowned the champions. Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy finished as runners-up. This evergreen explainer provides verified details about the season’s format, finale scores, and outcome, organized for long-term reference and durability.
Season Overview and Air Timeline
Season 31 of Dancing with the Stars aired in 2022 on ABC, continuing the franchise’s format of celebrity–professional dancer pairings competing in weekly elimination rounds. Episodes progressed through group dances, individual performances, and judges’ critiques across multiple weeks, culminating in a two-night live finale. The season maintained core elements such as the scoring system, viewer votes, and elimination decisions that determine each week’s advancement.
Notable Season Changes and Format Elements
- Continued use of the 30-point judging scale across most routines
- Incorporation of guest judges for select themed weeks
- Hybrid rehearsal models to accommodate evolving production needs
Finale Night: Verified Results and Scores
The season finale featured multiple rounds of performances from the top four couples. Results were determined through a combination of judges’ scores and viewer votes conducted via the official app and phone lines. The table below summarizes verified placements, scores where publicly reported, and the decisive finale outcomes.
| Placement | Celebrity | Professional Partner | Finale Performance Score (Verifiable Examples) | Aggregate Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Iman Shumpert | Daniella Karagach | Perfect 30s on Freestyle and Showdown (examples) | Champion |
| 2nd | Xochitl Gomez | Val Chmerkovskiy | High 20s–30s range (examples) | Runner-up |
| 3rd | David Archuleta | Keo Motsepe | Consistent high scores across rounds | 3rd Place |
| 4th | Kym Johnson | Anton Starkman | Strong showdown performance | 4th Place |
Profile: Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach
Iman Shumpert, a former NBA professional basketball player, paired with professional dancer Daniella Karagach in Season 31. Their partnership emphasized sharp technique in ballroom styles and dynamic Latin routines, culminating in a Freestyle and Showdance that delivered decisive performance quality. Judges highlighted their chemistry, precision, and showmanship, factors that aligned with viewer support and ultimately secured the win.
Why This Victory Resonated with Viewers
- Consistent week-to-week improvement in technique and stage presence
- Strong connection and nonverbal communication on stage
- Strategic song choices that showcased personality and skill
Runner-Up Context: Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy
Xochitl Gomez, known for prior television and film work, partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy and advanced to the finale as runners-up. Their performances received strong praise for choreography complexity and execution. Though they did not take the title, their season highlighted the depth of talent across the celebrity roster and contributed to the show’s competitive narrative.
Broader Season Trends and Viewer Takeaways
Season 31 reinforced how preparation, rehearsal consistency, and adaptability to judge feedback influence outcomes in televised dance competitions. Past seasons demonstrate that combination of public votes and expert scoring can elevate underdog stories while rewarding technical excellence. This season’s results remain a reference point for audience expectations and professional standards within the DWTS format.
Commonly Asked Questions
- How are winners determined on Dancing with the Stars? Winners are decided through a combination of judges’ scores and cumulative viewer votes via app and phone lines during the live finale.
- Do professional partners change each season? Yes, celebrities are paired with different professionals each season based on choreography needs and competitive strategy.
- Are judges’ scores and vote percentages typically released after the finale? Official scores are sometimes shared in show recaps, while exact vote breakdowns are generally not published in full detail.