The 18 Best Celebrities That Competed on ‘Dancing with the Stars’, Ranked

by

I’ve been watching for years, and it’s amazing how it keeps finding new ways to stay fresh! Since it started back in 2005, I’ve loved seeing so many different celebrities – actors, singers, athletes, even reality stars – step onto the dance floor. It’s such a fun competition, and every season brings incredible performances and unexpected contestants that I end up rooting for. It really proves that people still love this show, and I know I do!

The show’s popularity comes from the dancers that viewers love and support. Here are some of the most memorable performers who captured the hearts of the audience with their talent and personality.

Hannah Brown

Season 28 — Winner


ABC

Several stars from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have competed on Dancing With the Stars, but Hannah Brown stands out as particularly memorable. It’s common for contestants from those shows to appear on Dancing With the Stars soon after their season airs, as it helps boost viewership. Brown consistently improved her dancing skills throughout the competition and ultimately won the season with her partner, Alan Bersten.

Drew Lachey

Season 2 — Winner


ABC

I was such a fan of Drew Lachey on ‘Dancing with the Stars’! He really commanded the stage and was so charming. He and Cheryl Burke were amazing together – they were a force to be reckoned with from the start! I remember being blown away by their tango – they even got a perfect score early on! And their country freestyle? Absolutely unforgettable! Of course, it was no surprise when they won the whole thing and took home that mirrorball trophy. It was a fantastic season!

Kristi Yamaguchi

Season 6 — Winner


ABC

Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi surprised many when she excelled on the sixth season of a popular dance competition. Partnered with Mark Ballas, she showed incredible strength and determination, captivating both the judges and the audience. Her impressive performances, including perfect scores for her cha-cha and jive to Little Richard’s “Rip it Up,” ultimately led her to win the entire competition.

Corbin Bleu

Season 17 — Runner-Up


ABC

Some viewers feel it’s unfair when contestants with a Disney background compete, as they’ve had specialized training from a young age. For example, when Corbin Bleu was on season 17, people talked about his Disney experience and skills in dancing and musicals. However, Bleu showed he was more than just his role in High School Musical, consistently impressing audiences with his positive attitude and dedication to performing well.

Nicole Scherzinger

Season 10 — Winner


ABC

Although Nicole Scherzinger had a professional advantage as a singer and dancer, it was arguably unfair to other contestants. She consistently delivered strong performances with her partner, Derek Hough, and demonstrated her ability to learn any dance. Throughout the competition, they never scored below a 23, and Scherzinger brought a unique combination of grace and openness to each routine. Ultimately, they won the competition, beating out finalists Erin Andrews and Evan Lysacek.

Alfonso Ribeiro

Season 19 — Winner


ABC

Alfonso Ribeiro is famous for playing Carlton on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and he cleverly brought that character’s personality into his first dance performance, making it a real standout moment. Throughout the competition, Ribeiro often joked about being sore from dancing every day, but his partner, Witney Carson, playfully teased him, calling him an ‘old man’ to keep his spirits up. Their hard work paid off – they deservedly won the season! Later, Ribeiro came full circle when he returned to the show as a host.

Zendaya

Season 16 — Runner-Up

Fans of the show have long felt Zendaya was unfairly overlooked for a win. Back in 2011, during season 16, she was the youngest contestant ever at that time. She and her partner, Valentin Chmerkovskiy – a truly talented dancer like Mark Ballas – consistently impressed the judges and audience, but ultimately didn’t win. Of course, Zendaya’s career has skyrocketed since then, making her one of today’s biggest stars.

Selma Blair

Season 31 — Withdrew / Early Exit


ABC

Selma Blair is a talented actress famous for her roles in popular films. After receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, she shared how much support she’s received from people around the world. She recently showed her strength and determination on the show Dancing With the Stars, where she danced with Sasha Farber. While her health unfortunately led to her leaving the competition early, she delivered some truly memorable performances, including a moving dance while blindfolded.

Shawn Johnson

Season 8 — Winner and Season 15: All-Stars — Runner-Up


ABC

Shawn Johnson competed on the show twice, partnering with two different professionals. She won the competition with Mark Ballas, a highly skilled dancer, after a challenging season. Johnson leveraged her gymnastics background to impress the judges each week and secure another win. Her cheerful attitude and dedication to delivering captivating performances felt authentic, making her a fan favorite.

Adam Rippon

Season 26 — Winner


ABC

During a season celebrating athletes, Adam Rippon and his partner Jenna Johnson consistently impressed viewers. Although shorter than expected, the season was still a hit with fans who loved the talented cast and the exciting new dances. People also enjoyed Rippon’s funny and often playful personality, which was just as captivating as his performances. Rippon has already achieved success as an Olympic figure skater – earning a gold medal – and now he’s added the mirrorball trophy to his list of accomplishments.




5 Questions

Test Your Mirrorball Knowledge: DWTS Fan Favorites Quiz
Your Top Score
—
Attempts
—
0
0
Report Error

Found an error? Send it info@movieweb.com so it can be corrected.

Read More

2026-01-28 17:10