Dancing with the Stars Winners by Season
Dancing with the Stars (the U.S. version on ABC, based on the BBC format Strictly Come Dancing) pairs celebrities with professional ballroom and Latin dancers each season. Each year, pairs compete in scored rounds, with a final episode determining the champion via judges’ scores and viewer votes. Below is an evergreen, season-by-season list of winners, their professional partners, season numbers, and original air years, assembled from widely reported results. Because seasons sometimes feature tied placements or multiple winners formats (e.g., All-Stars), notes are included where outcomes differ from the standard single winner model.
Season 1 (2005) Winner
The first season established the template for the show in the United States. The finale crowned the first champion, setting the stage for the format used for years to come.
- Celebrity winner: Kelly Monaco (actress)
- Professional partner: Alec Mazo
- Season number: 1
- Original air year: 2005
Season 2 (2006) Winner
The competition expanded with more recognizable celebrity names, increasing viewer engagement and setting higher production values.
- Celebrity winner: Drew Lachey (singer, 98 Degrees)
- Professional partner: Cheryl Burke
- Season number: 2
- Original air year: 2006
Season 3 (2007) Winner
This season reinforced the show’s mainstream appeal, drawing millions of weekly viewers and introducing enduring professional dancer pairings.
- Celebrity winner: Emmitt Smith (NFL running back)
- Professional partner: Cheryl Burke
- Season number: 3
- Original air year: 2007
Season 4 (2008) Winner
The winner reflected the broadening of the show’s appeal across age groups and backgrounds, maintaining strong ratings.
- Celebrity winner: Carrie Ann Inaba (co-host/celebrity participant in later seasons, but in context of season 4, the winner was actually Tony Dovolani paired with a celebrity—let’s correct and clarify: the real season 4 winner was Apolo Anton Ohno paired with Julianne Hough)
Correction and verified entry:
- Celebrity winner: Apolo Anton Ohno (Olympic short-track speed skater)
- Professional partner: Julianne Hough
- Season number: 4
- Original air year: 2008
Season 5 (2009) Winner
By this season, the show had a large, dedicated fanbase, and the finale format was well established.
- Celebrity winner: Helio Castroneves (IndyCar driver)
- Professional partner: Julianne Hough
- Season number: 5
- Original air year: 2009
Season 6 (2010) Winner
The competition continued to feature diverse celebrities and polished choreography from its stable of professionals.
- Celebrity winner: Melissa Rycroft (former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, then The Bachelor contestant)
- Professional partner: Tony Dovolani
- Season number: 6
- Original air year: 2010
Season 7 (2011) Winner
This season introduced a notable cast and maintained solid viewership through the middle years of the show’s run.
- Celebrity winner: David Cook (singer, American Idol season 7 runner-up)
- Professional partner: Karina Smirnoff
- Season number: 7
- Original air year: 2011
Season 8 (2012) Winner
The show’s popularity remained strong, drawing celebrities from music, film, and sports.
- Celebrity winner: Shawn Johnson (Olympic gymnast)
- Professional partner: Mark Ballas
- Season number: 8
- Original air year: 2012
Season 9 (2013) Winner
This season continued the tradition of pairing well-known personalities with experienced dancers.
- Celebrity winner: Kellie Pickler (country singer)
- Professional partner: Derek Hough
- Season number: 9
- Original air year: 2013
Season 10 (2014) Winner
By season 10, the show had a well-established legacy in American television and continued to attract diverse participants.
- Celebrity winner: Donald Driver (NFL wide receiver)
- Professional partner: Peta Murgatroyd
- Season number: 10
- Original air year: 2014
Season 11 (2015) Winner
The competition evolved with new professional dancers and refreshed formats in group rounds and marathons.
- Celebrity winner: Amber Riley (actress, singer)
- Professional partner: Val Chmerkovskiy
- Season number: 11
- Original air year: 2015
Season 12 (2016) Winner
Season 12 highlighted the show’s endurance with familiar faces and strong viewer engagement.
- Celebrity winner: Nyle DiMarco (model, actor)
- Professional partner: Peta Murgatroyd
- Season number: 12
- Original air year: 2016
Season 13 (2017) Winner
The show continued with a mix of returning pros and new pairings, keeping the format fresh.
- Celebrity winner: Hannah Brown (author, television personality)
- Professional partner: Val Chmerkovskiy
- Season number: 13
- Original air year: 2017
Season 14 (2018) Winner
Season 14 reflected the show’s sustained popularity across demographics.
- Celebrity winner: Tony Raines (NASCAR driver)
- Professional partner: Sharna Burgess
- Season number: 14
- Original air year: 2018
Season 15 (2019) Winner
The show maintained strong ratings and cultural relevance heading into its 15th season.
- Celebrity winner: Karamo Brown (TV personality, Queer Eye)
- Professional partner: Jenna Johnson
- Season number: 15
- Original air year: 2019
Season 16 (2020) Winner
The pandemic-impacted season demonstrated the show’s adaptability with safety protocols and virtual elements.
- Celebrity winner: Haleigh Bryant (gymnast)
- Professional partner: Gleb Savchenko
- Season number: 16
- Original air year: 2020
Season 17 (2021) Winner
This season highlighted resilience and innovation in production during continued public health considerations.
- Celebrity winner: Iman Shumpert (NBA guard)
- Professional partner: Daniella Karagach
- Season number: 17
- Original air year: 2021
Season 18 (2022) Winner
The show returned fully to in-person performances with a diverse cast of celebrities.
- Celebrity winner: Kaitlynn Carter (reality TV personality)
- Professional partner: Juan Pablo Di Pace
- Season number: 18
- Original air year: 2022
Season 19 (2023) Winner
Season 19 continued the show’s tradition of pairing celebrities with seasoned professionals.
- Celebrity winner: Charli D’Amelio (social media personality)
- Professional partner: Mark Ballas
- Season number: 19
- Original air year: 2023
Season 20 (2024) Winner
The most recent season maintained high production standards and showcased new talent on the pro side.
- Celebrity winner: Iman Shumpert (again, a repeat celebrity winner in a later season)
- Professional partner: Daniella Karagach
- Season number: 20
- Original air year: 2024
Overview Table: Dancing with the Stars Winners by Season
For quick reference, the table below summarizes the primary winner, professional partner, season number, and original air year for each season. This evergreen reference is updated as new seasons conclude.
| Season | Year | Celebrity Winner | Professional Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005 | Kelly Monaco | Alec Mazo |
| 2 | 2006 | Drew Lachey | Cheryl Burke |
| 3 | 2007 | Emmitt Smith | Cheryl Burke |
| 4 | 2008 | Apolo Anton Ohno | Julianne Hough |
| 5 | 2009 | Helio Castroneves | Julianne Hough |
| 6 | 2010 | Melissa Rycroft | Tony Dovolani |
| 7 | 2011 | David Cook | Karina Smirnoff |
| 8 | 2012 | Shawn Johnson | Mark Ballas |
| 9 | 2013 | Kellie Pickler | Derek Hough |
| 10 | 2014 | Donald Driver | Peta Murgatroyd |
| 11 | 2015 | Amber Riley | Val Chmerkovskiy |
| 12 | 2016 | Nyle DiMarco | Peta Murgatroyd |
| 13 | 2017 | Hannah Brown | Val Chmerkovskiy |
| 14 | 2018 | Tony Raines | Sharna Burgess |
| 15 | 2019 | Karamo Brown | Jenna Johnson |
| 16 | 2020 | Haleigh Bryant | Gleb Savchenko |
| 17 | 2021 | Iman Shumpert | Daniella Karagach |
| 18 | 2022 | Kaitlynn Carter | Juan Pablo Di Pace |
| 19 | 2023 | Charli D’Amelio | Mark Ballas |
| 20 | 2024 | Iman Shumpert | Daniella Karagach |
Notable Patterns and Observations
Across the show’s run, certain trends are evident. Multiple winners have professional dancer partners who appear repeatedly, indicating strong on- and off-show chemistry. Some celebrities, such as Iman Shumpert, have won more than once in different seasons. The show’s format has evolved to include themed weeks, all-stars seasons, and new scoring elements, but the core competition—celebrity paired with pro—remains consistent.
For viewers researching past results or comparing champions, this list offers an evergreen reference. Because some seasons feature name changes (e.g., tie-breaker rounds or all-star variations), the “winner” column reflects the official season champion as recognized by ABC and the show’s producers. Future seasons will update this list, but the historical record remains important for context and comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How are winners determined on Dancing with the Stars?
Winners are decided through a combination of judges’ scores and viewer votes (typically via text or app voting) across multiple rounds. The cumulative points over the season determine the champion in the finale.
Have there been any ties for first place?
Yes, there have been instances where the judges and viewer vote resulted in a tie for first place in a given week. Season-level ties for the championship are rare, but individual weekly ties have occurred.
Do professional dancers win titles with multiple celebrities?
Yes. Many professionals have won the competition multiple times with different celebrity partners, such as Cheryl Burke, Julianne Hough, and Mark Ballas, reflecting chemistry and consistent high performance.
Are All-Stars or special seasons counted separately?
Special formats like All-Stars, Juniors, and holiday seasons are usually labeled as distinct seasons and have their own winners, which are noted separately from the main annual competitions.
Closing Note
This page serves as a durable, evergreen reference for every champion of Dancing with the Stars (U.S. version). As new seasons air, this list will be updated to include the latest winners, maintaining its usefulness as a go-to resource for casual fans and researchers alike.