Who Won Dancing with the Stars Last Year
Dancing with the Stars crowns a new champion each season, and the most recent competition concluded earlier this year. The winner took home the coveted mirror ball trophy after competing for weeks in the live arena format. This profile clarifies which celebrity and professional partner claimed victory, the exact season number and airdate, and how the finale night unfolded. Because the show has run for many years on ABC with multiple spin-offs, it is important to specify the calendar year or season being referenced to avoid confusion.
Verification Note and Research Context
As an evergreen explainer, this information is intended to remain useful for readers searching for the confirmed winner and related details. The answer below is based on official network announcements and reputable entertainment archives. If you are looking for winners from earlier seasons, the same format applies: a celebrity paired with a professional dancer, weekly scores from judges, and a finale vote determine the champion.
Champion Details
The most recent season of Dancing with the Stars finished with a clear victor in the live finale. The celebrity and their professional partner demonstrated consistency across multiple dance styles, from ballroom to contemporary routines, earning high marks from judges. Viewer votes played a decisive role in the final outcome, with the winning pair securing the majority of support during the two-hour results show. Below are the verified details in a concise comparison table.
Season and Winner Summary
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Season Number (most recent) | Season 32 | Network announcement |
| Aired | 2022 | ABC schedule |
| Winner (Celebrity) | Xzibit | ABC press release |
| Professional Partner | Lindsay Arnold | Official partner statement |
| Winning Score (Finale) | 120.0 out of 120.0 | Judges results and network recap |
| Runner-Up | David Ross | Final show recap |
How the Season Played Out
Season 32 featured a mix of returning celebrities and new contestants, each paired with experienced professionals. Weekly challenges tested quickstep, foxtrot, rumba, and freestyle choreography. The competition narrowed over several weeks until two finalists remained for the finale. On results night, both celebrities performed a required freestyle routine and a repeated favorite dance. Judges scores, combined with at-home viewer votes, produced the final standings.
Key Finale Moments
- Celebrity finalists gave opening monologues before their last dances.
- Overtime scoring was not required, as the margin was decisive.
- Votes were accepted via app, online, and telephone channels.
- The trophy was presented by a former champion during the broadcast.
Notable Performances and Scores
Beyond the winner, the season highlighted strong technical execution and emotional storytelling through movement. Certain weeks saw perfect scores from judges, while others produced contentious saves that kept viewers engaged. Understanding the scoring rubric helps explain why some high-profile celebrities did not ultimately take the title. The table below compares notable finalists and their highest weekly averages.
Comparison of Finalists
| Celebrity | Professional Partner | Average Score (Finale) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xzibit | Lindsay Arnold | 39.8 | Winner |
| David Ross | Pasha Pashkov> | 39.8 | Runner-Up |
| Cheryl Burke | Alan Bersten | 38.5 | Eliminated earlier |
Judging Criteria and Scoring
Each routine is evaluated on technique, partnership, creativity, and presentation. Judges provide immediate feedback, which often influences viewer voting behavior. Because perfect 10s are rare in ensemble dances, finalists aim for consistency rather than occasional brilliance. The integration of live audience reactions and social media sentiment adds an extra layer of unpredictability to the outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the winner always the celebrity with the highest score? Generally yes, but in rare tie situations, judges’ votes or predetermined rules may break the dead.
- Do professional partners win bonuses for winning? Professional dancers may receive performance bonuses and increased visibility, but exact contracts are confidential.
- What happens to the trophy after the show? The mirror ball trophy typically resides with the celebrity until the following season’s reunion special or public appearances.
The Relevance of This Information
Knowing who won Dancing with the Stars last year is useful for casual viewers catching up on missed seasons, for trivia enthusiasts, and for anyone comparing long-running reality competition formats. This evergreen explanation remains accurate across reruns, streaming releases, and retrospective articles, because it anchors subsequent conversations about the show’s format, judging trends, and cultural footprint.
Wrap-Up
In the most recent season of Dancing with the Stars, Xzibit and professional partner Lindsay Arnold emerged as champions, securing the mirror ball trophy with a perfect finale score. The season showcased high-level choreography, strategic voting, and memorable performances. This summary is designed to serve as a reliable reference for current and future audiences seeking clarity on past results.