When it comes to “Dancing With The Stars,” there have been so many memorable performances over the years. The show first started in 2005 and quickly became a favorite among fans. The show features celebrities paired up with professional dancers as they compete against each other in hopes of getting the best scores from a panel of judges, as well as votes from fans at home in order to win the Mirror Ball Trophy.
Over the years, “Dancing With The Stars” has become a huge production, with amazing costumes, great music, and intricate sets. There have been big named stars who have competed on the series, and everyone from sports stars, soap opera actors, musicians, comedians, and more have showed off their moves in the ballroom.
Dancing With The Stars Season 1 Winner: Kelly Monaco
During Season 1, the show was still getting its footing. There were a limited number of stars who signed up for the process and the judges and professional dancers were relatively unknown to many. However, the fun dances, eye-catching ensembles, and judges’ comments gave fans something to look forward to and enjoy. During this season, the first-ever winner was crowned when “General Hospital” star Kelly Monaco won the Mirror Ball with her partner, Alec Mazo.
Drew Lachey won DWTS Season 2
Season 2 brought more viewers and celebrities as many tuned in to see how the new crop of stars would fair on the show. During that time, former boy bander Drew Lachey was a clear frontrunner. The 98 Degrees singer later won the season with his partner Cheryl Burke, who went on to become one of the show’s longest-running pros before her retirement in 2022.
Cheryl Burke repeated with Emmit Smith in Season 3
In Season 3, Cheryl Burke was back and looking to repeat her success from the year before, and repeated she did. Cheryl was partnered with NFL legend Emmitt Smith during the season, and the two went on to take home the championship together.
Apolo Anton Ohno wowed in Season 4
Season 4 was one of the most exciting of the early years of “Dancing With The Stars.” Fans began to root not only for their favorite celebrities but also for their favorite professional dancers. One of those fan-favorite dancers was Julianne Hough, who was partnered with speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno. The two dazzled the entire season and eventually were crowned the winners.
Julianne Hough repeated with Helio Castroneves during Dancing With The Stars Season 5
In Season 5, Hough took a page out of Cheryl Burke’s book by trying to repeat her big win. Hough looked to push the boundaries with race car driver Helio Castroneves, who wowed the crowds with his energy and dance moves. The two won the season together.
Kristi Yamaguchi took home the win in Season 6
After seeing male celebrities win “Dancing With The Stars” four years in a row, women began to dominate in Season 6. During that season, Mark Ballas revealed himself to be one of the most talented pros in the cast, taking home the trophy with former Olympic ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi.
Derek Hough got his first win with Brooke Burke in Season 7
Finally, in Season 7 Derek Hough took home his first Mirror Ball Trophy win with his partner Brooke Burke. The couple dazzled on the dance floor, and Burke later become co-host of “Dancing With The Stars.”
Shawn Johnson took home the gold during ‘DWTS’ Season 8
In Season 8, the women continued to rule the dance floor as Mark Ballas won his second championship with Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, who stole the hearts of fans from the start.
Donny Osmond went from teen idol to Mirror Ball winner in Season 9
Season 9 saw the return of the male winner when former teen heartthrob Donny Osmond thrilled fans and judges alike with his partner, Kym Johnson. The two beat out the rest of the contestants to take home the win.
Nicole Scherzinger won Season 10 of DWTS
As “Dancing With The Stars” celebrated their tenth season, Derek Hough looked to win his second Mirror Ball with partner Nicole Scherzinger. The pair were iconic in the ballroom together and were clear frontrunners from the start.
Derek Hough repeated with Jennifer Grey in Season 11
Derek Hough had his first repeat season and his third win during Season 11 when he was partnered with “Dirty Dancing” actress Jennifer Grey. Of course, the two paid homage to her iconic film during the season.
Hines Ward won Season 12 of Dancing With The Stars
In Season 12, “Dancing With The Stars” saw its first athlete winner since Emmit Smith when NFL star Hines Ward partnered with Kym Johnson and took home the Mirror Ball Trophy.
J.R. Martinez won the Mirror Ball in Season 13
Season 13 was one of the most heartfelt and inspirational in the show’s history when military veteran J.R. Martinez moved fans, judges, and fellow contestants to tears with his triumphant story of survival and his gorgeous dance moves before winning the entire season with Karina Smirnoff.
Donald Driver was triumphant in Season 14
“Dancing With The Stars” Season 14 went to another NFL star when Peta Murgatroyd’s partner Donald Driver was the breakout celebrity of the season with his infectious smile and energetic dance moves.
Melissa Rycroft won Season 15’s All-Star Season
During Season 15 of “DWTS,” the show did something a bit different by bringing back former contestants for an all-star season. Fan favorites returned to the ballroom for another shot at the trophy, and former “Bachelor” star Melissa Rycroft won the season with her partner Tony Dovolani.
Kellie Pickler won Dancing With The Stars Season 16
In Season 16, Derek Hough proved his dominance by taking home his fifth win with former “American Idol” standout and country singer Kellie Pickler, who brought comic relief to the show along with her elegant dance steps.
Amber Riley rocked Season 17
Season 17 saw Derek Hough win back-to-back Mirror Balls yet again when he and former “Glee” actress Amber Riley stunned fans with their fun and beautiful routines throughout the entire season.
Meryl Davis took home the win in Season 18 of DWTS
Season 18 of “DWTS” saw fans-favorite dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy win his first season with ice dancer Meryl Davis. The two were nearly flawless in many of their routines, as Davis proved that she could glide on and off the ice.
Alfonso Ribeiro became a fan-favorite in Season 19
In Season 19 of the ABC series, fans instantly fell in love with actor Alfonso Ribeiro as he not only brought so much life to his fun dances but also a sweetness and purity to his slower routines. Alfonso was such a favorite with his partner Witney Carson that he later became a co-host on “DWTS.”
Rumer Willis crushed the competition during Season 20
During Season 20 of the iconic series, Hollywood royalty took home the championship. Rumer Willis, the daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore tried her hand at ballroom dancing, giving pro Val Chmerkovskiy his first win.
Bindi Irwin was victorious in Season 21
In Season 21 another daughter of a famous person took home the win. Steve Irwin’s daughter Bindi Irwin was partnered with Derek Hough, and the two won over crowds and judges together, giving Derek a whopping six Mirror Ball wins.
Dancing With The Stars Season 22 winner was Nyle DiMarco
Season 22 was another heart-warming one for “Dancing With The Stars.” During the season, the show saw it’s first deaf contestant Nyle DiMarco take home the coveted Mirror Ball with his partner Peta Murgatroyd.
Laurie Hernandez delivered a top-notch performance in Season 23
After Shawn Johnson’s inspiring win, fellow Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez tried her hand at ballroom dancing and it worked out well as she and Val Chmerkovskiy took home the gold in Season 23.
NFL star Rashad Jennings wowed during Season 24 of DWTS
The Mirror Ball went back to the NFL during Season 24 when Rashad Jennings showed off his fancy footwork along with partner Emma Slater to take home the top prize of the season.
Fans loved Jordan Fisher during Season 25
In Season 25 of “Dancing With The Stars,” fans fell in love with actor Jordan Fisher’s love for dance as he looked so happy to be out there doing his thing each week with partner Lindsay Arnold.
Adam Rippon lit up Dancing With The Stars Season 26
Yet another figure skater wowed during Season 26 of “DWTS” when Adam Rippon hit the dance floor with Jenna Johnson and fans couldn’t help but smile while watching him dance each week.
Bobby Bones was Season 27’s unlikely winner
Season 27 saw an unlikely winner as radio host Bobby Bones won over fans with his vigor for learning to dance with partner Sharna Burgess, making him a huge favorite among fans of the show.
Bachelorette Hannah Brown dominated Season 28
In Season 28 of “Dancing With The Stars,” the star of “The Bachelorette” Hannah Brown joined the cast and she earned top scores for many of her dances with partner Alan Bersten before taking home the trophy.
Kaitlyn Bristowe got the win during Season 29 of DWTS
Season 29 viewers watched another former “Bachelorette” star Kaitlyn Bristowe take a spin on the dance floor and win the trophy with her partner Artem Chigvintsev.
Iman Shumpert was the first NBA player to win in Season 30
In Season 30, Iman Shumpert made history as the first-ever NBA player to win “Dancing With The Stars.” The big man wowed everyone with his passionate dances and easy moves as he and Daniella Karagach celebrated their big win.
Charlie D’Amelio won Dancing With The Stars Season 31
Season 31 saw the return of Mark Ballas as a professional dancer, and it was a great time for him to return as he was partnered with young TikTok star Charli D’Amelio. The two were sensational all season and brought a youthful energy to the ballroom.
With all of the amazing “Dancing With The Stars” winners over the years, it’s hard to pick your favorite. However, more celebrities continued to be added to the list each year.
Image Credits: ABC/Andrew Eccles, YouTube.