Who Wins Dancing with the Stars Each Season
Dancing with the Stars crowns one celebrity–pro pair each season as the champion based on combined judges’ scores and viewer votes. The title is decided during the live finale, and winners can be verified by season number and airdate. Because the show has aired for many years with rotating celebrities, the answer to who won depends entirely on the season and year you are asking about. Below, you will find a durable reference for champions by season, how results are determined, and how to confirm tonight’s outcome if a finale is airing now.
How the Winner Is Determined
Each finale features the last two or three competing couples. Judges provide a score out of 30, while viewers vote via phone, app, or online platforms to determine the final outcome. The scores are combined across all voting windows, and the couple with the highest total is declared the season champion. Results are announced live and are immediately reflected on the official network site, the show’s app, and trusted entertainment outlets with recap coverage.
Verifying Tonight’s Result
- Check the official Dancing with the Stars app or ABC.com for live results.
- Visit trusted entertainment news sites for recap articles after the finale.
- Search for the season number and year (for example, “Dancing with the Stars season 32 winner”) to confirm the champion.
Dancing with the Stars Season Winners
The table below lists the season champions by year, the professional–celebrity pair, and the finale airdate where available. This is intended as an evergreen reference; start with your target season or approximate year to identify the correct champion.
| Season | Winner (Celebrity & Professional) | Finale Airdate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (2005) | Kelly Monaco & Alec Mazo | June 22, 2005 | First season champion |
| Season 2 (2006) | Drew Lachey & Cheryl Burke | May 24, 2006 | Singing-sibling winner |
| Season 3 (2006–2007) | Apolo Anton Ohno & Julianne Hough | November 27, 2007 | Olympic athlete champion |
| Season 4 (2007) | Brooke Burke & Derek Hough | November 27, 2007 | Later became host |
| Season 5 (2008) | Hoku & Cody Linley | May 20, 2DWTS08 | Singer winner |
| Season 11 (2010) | Jennifer Grey & Derek Hough | November 23, 2010 | Dirty Dancing star |
| Season 12 (2011) | Hélio Castroneves & Julianne Hough | November 22, 2011 | IndyCar champion |
| Season 13 (2011) | J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff | November 22, 2011 | Soap-opera actor |
| Season 14 (2012) | Tank & Allison Holker | November 27, 202DWTS14 | R&B singer |
| Season 25 (2017) | Jordan Fisher & Lindsay Arnold | November 21, 2017 | Multi-talented entertainer |
| Season 28 (2019) | Kape Keo & Britt Stewart | November 19, 2019 | First all-POC finalist pair |
| Season 29 (2020) | Bobby Bones & Sharna Burgess | November 25, 2020 | Radio-host winner |
| Season 30 (2021) | Iman Shumpert & Daniella Karagach | November 22, 2021 | NBA player champion |
| Season 31 (2022) | Xochitl Gomez & Val Chmerkovskiy | May 24, 2022 | Youngest winner to date |
| Season 32 (2023) | Charity Lawson & Alan Bersten | November 21, 2023 | Recent season champion |
Understanding the Scoring System
Judges score performances out of 30 points, with deductions for missed steps and execution issues. Viewer votes are typically worth a predetermined portion of the total, often 50 percent in many seasons, combined with judges’ scores to produce a final tally. Because each season can adjust the weighting, the exact formula is sometimes tweaked, but the champion is always the couple with the highest combined score after all votes are counted. This system rewards both technical dance execution and mass audience appeal.
Perennial Trends Among Champions
Across seasons, certain patterns emerge. Professional partners with prior DWTS experience—such as Derek Hough and Julianne Hough—have won multiple times. Returning celebrities often leverage fame and established dance chemistry to succeed, though new pros also claim victories. Genres of music and choreography vary widely, from ballroom basics to contemporary storytelling, yet the champion is always decided by performance quality and voter preference. Understanding these factors can help contextualize each season’s outcome.
Common Myths About the Winner
- Myth: Fan voting alone determines the winner. Truth: Judges’ scores are combined with viewer votes; balance varies by season.
- Myth: The first couple announced is always the winner. Truth: Announcements proceed by score order; the winner is declared last.
- Myth: Perfect scores guarantee victory. Truth: High marks help, but voter turnout and overall combined score matter most.
How to Find Tonight’s Result Quickly
If you are checking Dancing with the Stars winner tonight, start with the official sources: the ABC app and the show’s verified social channels. They display real-time vote counts and the final result immediately after the finale. If a recap article has published, reputable entertainment outlets will summarize scores, judges’ critiques, and the reaction within hours. Searching with the season or year ensures you find the correct champion when multiple celebrities have competed over many years.