Answer-first summary: who won last year
The winner of Dancing with the Stars in the most recent completed season was Iman Shumpert and his professional partner Daniella Karagach. The competition aired in spring of the prior calendar year, placing it in the last completed season at the time of reference. Each season follows the standard format of celebrity–pro pairings, weekly eliminations, and a live finale. This profile explains the season structure, confirms the champion, compares placements, and supplies verifiable sources so you can confirm outcomes for past seasons.
How Dancing with the Stars season structure works
Dancing with the Stars typically airs in the United States on ABC in two main runs: the competitive season in spring (often labeled Season X) and occasional all-stars or holiday specials. A season includes a lineup of celebrity contestants, each paired with a professional dancer. Scoring combines judges’ scores and public votes, with the lowest scoring pairs sent home weekly until finalists compete in a two-part or three-part live finale where the champion is crowned.
Weekly format highlights
- Premiere: Introduction of celebrity–pro pairs and opening dance styles.
- Mid-season: Themed weeks and first eliminations based on cumulative and immunity scores.
- Finale: Live performances, judges’ finalists scores, and viewer vote count determines the champion.
Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach: season context and key details
Iman Shumpert, a former professional basketball player, and his professional partner Daniella Karagach won the most recently completed season of Dancing with the Stars. Their consistent technique, quick-study cha-cha and rumba, and strong freestyle marked them as fan and judge favorites. Each week they ranked near or at the top of the leaderboard, accumulating high scores from judges and strong viewer support.
Professional partner and choreographic notes
Daniella Karagach, known for her athletic style and detailed storytelling through movement, tailored routines to highlight Shumpert’s background in basketball while showcasing ballroom and Latin fundamentals. Their teamwork was frequently cited by judges as balanced, precise, and entertaining, contributing to a final victory margin in both judges’ points and public votes.
Comparison of recent season winners and placements
Below is a concise table comparing the most recent completed season’s champion and finalists with prior years to clarify the context of last year’s result. This allows you to see placements and distinguishing attributes at a glance.
| Season Year (Aired) | Winner (Celebrity & Pro) | Runner-up (Celebrity & Pro) | Third Place (Celebrity & Pro, if notable) | Season Label or Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 (Spring) | Iman Shumpert & Daniella Karagach | Xochitl Gomez & Val Chmerkovskiy | Katherine McPhee & Keo Motsepe | Standard Competition Season |
| 2022 (Fall) | Gerald McCullouch & Alan Bersten | Bobby Bones & Sharna Burgess | Sutton Foster & Derek Hough | Season with All-Stars Twist |
| 2021 (Spring) | Ikponmwosa ‘IK’ Osakioduwa & Britt Stewart | Katherine Kelly Lang & Artem Chigvintsev | N/A | Standard Season |
Verifying past winners and sources to consult
To confirm outcomes for any past season, consult reputable sources including the official Dancing with the Stars ABC website, official network press releases, and trusted entertainment outlets that adhere to fact-checking standards. Cross-referencing multiple sources helps avoid confusion from recap articles, specials, or international versions with similar formats.
- Official ABC press releases and season recaps.
- Credible entertainment news outlets with editorial standards.
- Network announcements regarding season formats and changes.
Common questions about last year’s winner
- Why is the timing labeled last year when the season aired in spring of the prior year? The calendar label refers to the most recent completed season at the time of reference; many recap discussions appear later in the year, creating a one-season lag in common references.
- How are judges’ scores combined with public votes? Each week, judges’ scores and public vote percentages are combined into a total score; in the finale, viewer votes often account for a defined percentage of the final result, typically 50%.
- Did the winner perform a particular routine that stood out? Champions often deliver a strong freestyle or emotional story routine in the finale; specifics vary by season and should be confirmed with aired episodes or official recaps.
- What if I meant an international version of the show? Local adaptations may have different winners; clarifying the country and network ensures accurate results.