Answer: Who Won Season 25 in 2017
Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars aired in the fall of 22017 and crowned professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy and his celebrity partner Laurie Hernandez, the U.S. Olympic gymnast, as the winners. This was Chmerkovskiy’s second win on the show. The finale aired on November 21, 2017, and was decided by a combination of judges’ scores and audience votes.
Season 25 Overview
Season 25 marked a return to the show’s earlier start time following a post-Super Bowl slot in Season 24. The season featured 13 couples and introduced a ‘Switch-Up’ week, where partners were randomly reassigned. The cast included a mix of reality stars, athletes, and actors, bringing renewed attention to the competition.
Format and Judging
Each week, couples performed a live dance and were scored by a panel of judges. The lowest-scoring couple faced a dance-off against a saved couple determined by audience vote. Scoring categories included Technique, Performance, and Chemistry. The season maintained the show’s emphasis on live orchestration and rehearsals completed in a working studio.
Couples and Competition Arc
Throughout the season, notable performances emerged from both returning and newer celebrities. The competition intensified as the field narrowed, with several couples demonstrating high-level technique in cha-cha-chas, waltzes, and freestyle routines. The finale paired the top three couples in a two-night live broadcast, culminating in a champion reveal voted by at-home viewers.
Key Finalists
- Val Chmerkovskiy & Laurie Hernandez — Champions
- Amber Riley & Louis van Amstel — Runners-up
- Ginger Zee & Valentin Chmerkovskiy — Third place
Victory Details and Aftermath
Winning Season 25 gave Chmerkovskiy his second mirror ball trophy and elevated Hernandez’s profile beyond gymnastics. The victory reinforced the show’s format of pairing professionals with mainstream celebrities. In the years since, both Chmerkovskiy and Hernandez have remained active in entertainment, leveraging the platform for continued careers in performance, media, and brand partnerships.
Verified Season 25 Results Table
| Rank | Celebrity | Professional Partner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laurie Hernandez | Val Chmerkovskiy | Winners |
| 2 | Amber Riley | Louis van Amstel | Runners-up |
| 3 | Ginger Zee | Valentin Chmerkovskiy | Third place |
Legacy and Influence
Season 25 remains a notable cycle for its balanced mix of personalities and consistently high production values. The Chmerkovskiy-Hernandez partnership highlighted the appeal of athlete-celebrity pairings and demonstrated how competitive dance translates to mainstream audiences. The season’s format innovations, such as partner switching, influenced later iterations of the show and are referenced in retrospective content.
Common Questions
- When did Season 25 air? — Fall 2017, with the finale on November 21, 2017.
- Who were the runners-up? — Amber Riley and Louis van Amstel placed second.
- Has either winner competed again? — Val Chmerkovskiy has returned as a professional, and Laurie Hernandez has made guest and alumni appearances in subsequent seasons.
Tags
Tags: DWTS Season 25, Dancing With the Stars 2017, Val Chmerkovskiy Laurie Hernandez winner