The Complete List of Every Dancing with the Stars Winner
Dancing with the Stars crowns a new champion every season. The winning couple earns a mirrorball trophy. More importantly, they leave the ballroom with a wildly different public profile. Some winners were obvious frontrunners from week one. Others scraped through with last-minute momentum that shocked judges and voters alike. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and dwts who won.
Here is the full rundown of every dwts who won contestant across the franchise history. The list spans professional and celebrity partnerships who best blended technical skill with raw audience appeal.
Early Seasons: When Nobody Knew the Rules
The first few seasons set the template for what a victory could look like. There was no established formula yet. Viewers simply voted for whoever made them feel something.
- Season 1 (2005): Kelly Monaco and Alec Mazo. Monaco brought soap-opera credibility. The win launched her into a daytime television career that still holds strong. - Season 2 (2006): Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke. Lachey leveraged his pop-rock fame, but Burke emerged as the star of this pairing. This victory announced her as a force. - Season 3 (2006): Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke. The NFL legend proved athletes could master rhythm if they committed. Smith remains one of the most beloved champions in early history. - Season 4 (2007): Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough. Ohno added an Olympic gold medal to his mantle. The victory felt like validation for sports competitors on the show. - Season 5 (2007): Hélio Castroneves and Julianne Hough. The IndyCar driver charmed the audience with his infectious smile. His partnership with Hough remains a gold standard. - Season 6 (2008): Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas. The figure skater delivered flawless performances. This win cemented Ballas as a frontrunner for future mirrorball trophies. - Season 7 (2008): Brooke Burke and Derek Hough. Burke’s athletic background and sharp instincts made her a natural winner. The victory began a legendary run for the Hough family name.
The Middle Era: Stars, Athletes, and Overnight Fame
The middle seasons introduced bigger celebrities and higher production stakes. The voting bloc became more fragmented, and fan armies mobilized aggressively online.
- Season 8 (2009): Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas. The Olympic gymnast had the agility to make difficult steps look effortless. Their freestyle routine remains a highlight reel classic. - Season 11 (2010): Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough. Grey’s sudden fame from Dirty Dancing fueled a Cinderella run. The victory felt deeply personal for audiences who knew her from an earlier generation. - Season 14 (2012): Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd. The Green Bay Packers receiver impressed with consistent improvement. Driver’s quiet determination beat out flashier, more famous partners. - Season 15 (2012): Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani. Rycroft leveraged her reality TV roots into a credible victory. Dovolani’s patience with her technique earned widespread respect. - Season 16 (2013): Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough. The country singer delivered surprising stage presence. Their Latin fusion routine scored a perfect 30 and set the season alight. - Season 17 (2013): Amber Riley and Derek Hough. Riley brought sheer force of personality to every step. The win felt like a triumph for body positivity and joyful performance.
Recent Champions: Strategy, Social Media, and Smarts
Modern dwts who won seasons reflect a sharper awareness of audience engagement. Social media campaigns matter. Celebrities enter the ballroom with existing fan bases that actively mobilize.
- Season 29 (2020): Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev. Bristowe’s raw authenticity on and off the floor won over judges. The win defied the expectation that only polished athletes take the trophy. - Season 30 (2021): Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach. Shumpert’s hip-hop fluency gave the couple a genuine edge. The partnership proved that cultural authenticity resonates deeply with voters. - Season 31 (2022): Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas. The TikTok mega-star brought a massive digital voting block. Ballas finally claimed his long-awaited mirrorball with a technically stunning routine. - Season 32 (2023): Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Gomez’s natural athleticism and emotional range stunned the ballroom. Her victory signaled a shift toward younger, Gen Z representation. - Season 33 (2024): Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Wait, let us correct that record. The Season 33 winner was Fernanda Fletcher and Gleb Savchenko. Fletcher’s background in professional dance and her steady consistency carried her through.
How Someone Actually Wins
Winning requires more than a single standout routine. The couples who claim the mirrorball trophy usually master three specific areas. First, they deliver clean technique across every genre. Judges cannot ignore fundamental skills, even when the crowd loves a risky mistake. Second, they build a genuine connection with their partner. The chemistry reads on camera and translates into votes. Finally, they survive the early eliminations by staying relevant. A champion who gets eliminated in week three never gets a chance at the finish.
Where to Watch and Follow Results
The show airs on ABC and streams on Hulu. Fan forums and live-tweeting during results night have become essential rituals for dedicated viewers. If you want to track every score and rehearsal update, the official Dancing with the Stars hub offers episode guides, contestant bios, and exclusive rehearsal footage.