‘Dancing With the Stars’ Winners Through the Years: Mirrorball Champs From 2005 to Now

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'Dancing With the Stars' Winners Through the Years: Mirrorball Champs From 2005 to Now

Mirrorball mania! Since 2005, celebrities have battled it out in the ballroom for a chance at glory on Dancing With the Stars. Celebs including Kim Kardashian, Kelly Osbourne and Kirstie Alley have waltzed, tangoed and cha-cha-cha’d their hearts out, only to come up short against the competition. With the help of professional dancers — including Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, Mark Ballas and brothers Maksim and Val Chmerkovskiy — some stars have earned the coveted title of America’s best dancer. Derek, for his part, took home six trophies — with partners Brooke Burke, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Grey, Kellie Pickler, Amber Riley and Bindi Irwin — before becoming a judge in 2020. “When Tom Brady won a seventh Super Bowl, I was like, ‘Oh no, do I need to go for seven here?'” the TV personality, who is dating DWTS troupe dancer Hayley Erbert, exclusively joked to Us Weekly in May 2021. “No, I think — who knows? I never say never, but for right now, I’m looking forward to going back as a judge.” His younger sister, Julianne, was a two-time champion — taking home the title in May 2007 with Apolo Anton Ohno and in November 2007 with Hélio Castroneves — before she stepped into the judging role on and off from 2014 to 2021. [sendtonews type="float" key="h5Yv4NPyWc-2836666-14453"] Pro Artem Chigvintsev, on the other hand, didn’t earn his first mirrorball trophy until season 29 in November 2020 with Kaitlyn Bristowe. “What’s next? Oh, gosh, I don’t know,” the “Off the Vine” podcast host told Us and other reporters after her win. “I joked that I was like, ‘I will want to have babies. If I accomplish [this], then I’m ready for the next step.’ And Artem gave me the baby fever [with his and Nikki Bella’s son, Matteo], and I’m not against it!” The Bachelor Nation star announced her engagement to Jason Tartick six months later. “Our wedding plans are good,” the season 17 Bachelorette cohost exclusively told Us at the Men Tell All taping in August 2021. “We have created a guest list. We have created a website. We have a date set. So, we’re [doing] all the right things.” Season 29 of DWTS also marked the first season of the reality series without Tom Bergeron as the host. The former America’s Funniest Home Videos personality had been at the helm of DWTS since its 2005 beginning. He and cohost Erin Andrews — who joined Bergeron in 2014 during season 18 — were replaced by Tyra Banks in July 2020. Take a look back at the stars whose fancy footwork earned them a spot on the elite list of DWTS winners below:

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Season 1: Kelly Monaco and Alec Mazo

The inaugural season of DWTS in June 2005 featured only six celebrity dancers — Trista Sutter, Evander Holyfield, Rachel Hunter, Joey McIntyre, John O'Hurley and soap starMonaco, who won the competition with pro Mazo in his first of five seasons on the show. (He never again finished higher than eighth place.)

Credit: ABC/ADAM LARKEY

Season 2: Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke

In January 2006, DWTS upped the number of contestants to 10. Among them were Lisa Rinna, Stacy Keibler, Jerry Rice, Tatum O'Neal and eventual winner Lachey. The 98 Degrees boy bander gave then-rookie pro Burke her first mirrorball victory, earning three perfect scores throughout the season, including two during the February 2006 finale.

Credit: ABC/ADAM LARKEY

Season 3: Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke

Months after winning season 2 of DWTS, returning pro Burke won again in season 3, dancing to victory with the former NFL player in November 2006. Other contestants during that cycle included Vivica A. Fox, Joey Lawrence, Willa Ford, Jerry Springer and runner-up Mario Lopez, who, along with partner Karina Smirnoff, gave Smith and Burke a run for their money.

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Season 4: Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough

Newbie pro Julianne interrupted Burke's two-season winning streak by taking home the mirrorball trophy with the Olympic skater in May 2007. Their rumba, paso doble and freestyle dances on the finale put them above fellow finalists Joey Fatone and Laila Ali.

Credit: ABC/CAROL KAELSON

Season 5: Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough

Race car driver Castroneves sped to victory in November 2007 with second-time winner Julianne, who beat out her own brother, Derek, in their first season together. (Derek and Beverly Hills, 90210 actress Jennie Garth placed fourth in the competition, behind Marie Osmond and Jonathan Roberts in third and Mel B. and Maksim in second.)

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Season 6: Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas

Olympic figure skater Yamaguchi added a DWTS trophy to her 1992 gold medal on the season 6 finale in May 2008. She and partner Ballas earned three perfect scores in the final week of competition for their cha-cha, freestyle and jive routines.

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Season 7: Brooke Burke and Derek Hough

The Utah native earned his first victory in November 2008 with Burke, who later cohosted the show with Bergeron before being replaced by Andrews in 2013.

Credit: ABC/KELSEY MCNEAL

Season 8: Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas

Fresh off her performance at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where she won four gold medals and one silver medal, the gymnast joined forces with Ballas to take home the season 8 mirrorball trophy in May 2009. Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke were the runners-up.

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Season 9: Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson

Season 9 of DWTS kicked off in September 2009 with 16 contestants instead of the usual 13. Notable names included Melissa Joan Hart, Kathy Ireland, Aaron Carter, Joanna Krupa, Kelly Osbourne and Mya, the latter two of whom made it to the finals with eventual winner Osmond and his partner Johnson. The lifelong showbiz vet earned two perfect scores on the finale for a freestyle routine and an Argentine tango.

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Season 10: Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough

Scherzinger drew on her Pussycat Dolls experience to win the season 10 trophy with then-second-time victor Derek in May 2010. Other contestants that had a very memorable season included astronaut Buzz Aldrin, reality TV stars Kate Gosselin and Jake Pavelka and actress Pamela Anderson.

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Season 11: Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough

Nobody puts Baby in a corner! Grey relived her Dirty Dancing days in the fall of 2010, when she and partner Derek cha-cha-cha'd their way to mirrorball glory. Their six perfect scores throughout the season — including three during finals week — put them at the top of the heap.

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Season 12: Hines Ward and Kym Johnson

DWTS pro Johnson earned her second win in May 2011, with the NFL player. They had some tough competition, though, namely from runners-up Kirstie Alley and her partner, Maksim, and third-place finishers Chelsea Kane and Ballas.

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Season 13: J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff

The actor and Army veteran won more than just fans' hearts on season 13 of DWTS. With help from Smirnoff, he triumphed over stars including runner-up Rob Kardashian, talk show hostess Ricki Lake, actor David Arquette, Kristin Cavallari and model Elisabetta Canalis.

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Season 14: Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd

The NFL player beat out stars including Jaleel White, Gavin DeGraw, Sherri Shepherd and Maria Menounos to win the coveted trophy in May 2012. Runners-up Katherine Jenkins and Ballas actually had a higher total score from the judges during finals week, but Driver and his partner earned more votes from viewers.

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Season 15: Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani

The Bachelorette alum — who finished third on season eight of DWTS — returned for DWTS: All-Stars in the fall of 2012, along with 12 other former contestants including Joey Fatone, Bristol Palin and Gilles Marini. She and Dovolani narrowly beat out former champs Kelly Monaco and Shawn Johnson, earning two perfect scores and a 28.5 during the two-night finale.

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Season 16: Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough

The country singer may have finished sixth on season 5 of American Idol, but she was No. 1 on season 16 of DWTS in the spring of 2013. With Derek by her side, she waltzed to victory over contestants including Bachelor alum Sean Lowe (who memorably dedicated a dance to his now-wife, Catherine Giudici), Real Housewives star Lisa Vanderpump, and Disney Channel phenom Zendaya.

Credit: Roger Wong/INFphoto.com

Season 17: Amber Riley and Derek Hough

The Glee star gave DWTS vet Derek his record-breaking fifth mirrorball victory in the fall of 2013. They beat out fellow finalists Corbin Bleu and Smirnoff, and Jack Osbourne and Cheryl Burke, with a perfect-scoring samba-quickstep combination to "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher." Other competitors that season included Christina Milian, Leah Remini and Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi.

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Season 18: Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

After 14 seasons, Maksim finally earned his first win in May 2014, with the Olympian. Their chemistry sparked rumors of a romance, and though both insisted they were just friends, they definitely had a special bond. Maks left the show before season 19, saying he wanted Davis to be the last person he danced with. Other contestants included Davis' ice dancing partner Charlie White, Candace Cameron Bure and paralympian Amy Purdy, who performed using prosthetic legs. 

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Season 19: Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson

Carlton Banks did it! The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum took home the win against fellow competitors Sadie Robertson and Janel Parrish.

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Season 20: Rumer Willis and Val Chmerkovskiy

What a team! "Wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of the incredible fans of #TeamValenRue that supported us this season," the Ukrainian dancer wrote on social media after their win. "Every edit, every kind comment, every phone call and vote casted we appreciate it so so very much. It is incredibly humbling to know how many people genuinely wanted to see Rumer and I win. Means the world, today and forever. Love you guys very very much."

Credit: Adam TaylorABC

Season 21: Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough

The daughter of the late Steve Irwin was a fan favorite from the start of the season. The pair beat out Ginger Zee and Val and duo Paige VanZant and Ballas.

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Season 22: Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd

The Deaf model dedicated his win to all the "Deaf people in this world" in May 2016. "It means that barriers can be broken," he told Us at the time. "Even though there are barriers there, it doesn't mean that they can't be broken. You've just got to work twice as hard and set your goals and break those barriers. Opportunities are endless."

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Season 23: Laurie Hernandez and Val Chmerkovskiy

Her Olympic medals just weren't enough! "Honestly, I feel like they tie for each other," the gymnast told Us, comparing her medals to the mirrorball trophy. "I feel like the Olympics, as a little kid it was such a big goal that I created for myself and I was able to push through and make that happen. So for the mirrorball … well, I've always loved to dance and that was my passion along with gymnastics, so winning the mirrorball today was insane and amazing."

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Season 24: Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater

They did it! Pro dancer Slater won her very first mirrorball trophy thanks to the athlete. "Rashad, you know already what I think of you. Words fail me, but seeing you win this season and achieve something you thought you couldn't do has been the biggest joy of all for me," she wrote via Instagram in May 2017. "Seeing you so happy is more to me than winning anything for myself I adore you. Congratulations partner! We did it!"

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

Season 25: Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold

The Hamilton alum helped Arnold score her first mirrorball trophy. “This feels beyond anything I’ve ever imagined,” she told Us in November 2017. “I’ve come close and to finally take it with Jordan means more than I can ever say.”

Credit: Kelsey McNeal/ABC

Season 26: Adam Rippon and Jenna Johnson

The pair won during the DWTS: Athletes special season. “I feel so overwhelmed, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to win this with. So I owe it a lot to Adam, and I don’t think I would be standing here without him,” the pro dancer told Us after they won in May 2018. Rippon added of his experience: “I think that it’s just reminded me that every time you step out of your comfort zone, and you push yourself into an experience that you’ve never done before, is when you really have the truest feeling of accomplishment.”

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Season 27: Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess

The radio personality shocked America — and himself — when he took home the mirrorball trophy in November 2018. “We were never the ones who were supposed to win. In the beginning when they put me in the show, I had the worst odds,” Bones told Us exclusively following his win. “When they said our name, we had to look at each other for a second but we thought they were just saying everyone’s name again. I think most people are shocked that we won. The people who voted aren’t because they are the ones who kept us in and they are the ones who made this happen for us but she is the one who made this happen for me.”

This was also Burgess’ first win, and she couldn’t have been happier. “It’s insane and incredible and better than anything I could have ever imagined,” she told Us. “I won my first mirrorball with Bobby and it’s the most epic moment that I will at some point figure out how to put in words.”

Credit: ABC/Eric McCandless

Season 28: Hannah Brown and Alan Bersten

The former Bachelorette took home the top prize in November 2019. “WE DID IT! Thank you all so much!” Brown wrote on Instagram at the time. Bersten, who sparked romance rumors with the former pageant queen during the season, paid tribute to the rest of the final four (Kel Mitchell, Ally Brooke and Lauren Alaina) in his emotional post-show Instagram. 

“I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate and celebrate all the couples who I had the pleasure of sharing the finals with! Everybody worked so hard and had such incredible dances tonight, it was truly magical! I am so lucky and proud to have shared this experience with you. @iamkelmitchell @laurenalaina @allybrooke you are all so talented and I’m going to cherish all the memories we made throughout this special journey together!” he wrote at the time.

Credit: ABC

Season 29: Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev

The former Bachelorette and the pro dancer won the mirrorball in November 2020. Nev Schulman and Jenna Johnson came in second place, followed by Nelly and Daniella Karagach, and Justina Machado and Sasha Farber. The win marked the first for Chigvintsev.

Credit: ABC/Paula Logo

Season 30: Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach

The former Cleveland Cavaliers player was crowned the champion alongside his partner in November 2021. “My name will get talked about a lot for this, but I couldn’t have had a better coach [or] made a better friend,” the athlete, who was the first NBA player to take home the DWTS title, gushed exclusively to Us at the time about Karagach.

He added: “Seriously, like, if this is not an ode to all the incredible work that you’ve done over your lifetime of being a real professional dancer — to be able to cram years of experience into what? We’ve been here three months? To see the end result be me holding the mirrorball, you’re an incredible person, an incredible teacher and incredible coach and an amazing friend. So thank you, Dancing With the Stars, for pairing me with DJ Yellow.”