For nearly two decades, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) has been one of the most beloved reality competition shows on television. The format is simple yet endlessly entertaining: celebrities team up with professional dancers to perform weekly ballroom and Latin-inspired routines. Judges score each performance, viewers vote, and one pair ultimately claims the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
As the show enters its 34th season in 2025, fans can expect dazzling performances, dramatic eliminations, emotional storylines, and the kind of ballroom magic that has made DWTS a household name. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just tuning in for the first time, this complete guide covers everything you need to know about Dancing with the Stars 2025: cast, judges, eliminations, winners, iconic performances, and more.
What Is Dancing with the Stars?
Dancing with the Stars premiered on ABC in 2005, based on the British series Strictly Come Dancing. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon in the United States.
How the Show Works
- Celebrity–Pro Pairings: Each celebrity contestant is paired with a professional ballroom dancer.
- Weekly Themes: Every week has a theme (Latin Night, Movie Night, Disney Night, TikTok Night, etc.).
- Scoring: Judges award scores from 1–10. Audience votes are combined with judge scores to determine eliminations.
- Eliminations: At the end of each episode, the lowest-ranked couple is sent home.
- The Finale: After weeks of competition, the winning pair is crowned and takes home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Over the years, DWTS has produced more than 30 seasons, countless memorable routines, and some unexpected champions.
Dancing with the Stars 2025 – Season 34 Overview
The 34th season of DWTS kicked off in September 2025. Like the previous season, the show airs on ABC while also being available on Disney+ for streaming.
Hosts
- Alfonso Ribeiro (former DWTS champion, actor best known for Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)
- Julianne Hough (former DWTS pro, winner, and judge)
Judges
- Carrie Ann Inaba
- Derek Hough (six-time DWTS champion and fan favorite)
- Bruno Tonioli
Following the passing of Len Goodman, the show continues to honor him each season, with the trophy permanently renamed in his memory.
Dancing with the Stars 2025 Cast (Season 34)
The cast of Dancing with the Stars is a blend of actors, athletes, influencers, and unexpected personalities. Below is the confirmed lineup for Season 34:
- Jen Affleck with Jan Ravnik
- Hilaria Baldwin with Gleb Savchenko
- Jordan Chiles with Ezra Sosa
- Baron Davis with Britt Stewart
- Alix Earle with Valentin Chmerkovskiy
- Dylan Efron with Daniella Karagach
- Corey Feldman with Jenna Johnson
- Danielle Fishel with Pasha Pashkov
- Elaine Hendrix with Alan Bersten
- Scott Hoying with Rylee Arnold
- Robert Irwin with Witney Carson
- Lauren Jauregui with Brandon Armstrong
- Whitney Leavitt with Mark Ballas
- Andy Richter with Emma Slater
Each week, these pairs tackle new dance styles, from the waltz to the samba, testing their versatility and stamina.
Dancing with the Stars 2025 Eliminations & Weekly Results
DWTS thrives on suspense. Every Monday night, fans tune in to see which couple survives another week. Below is the Season 34 results table, updated weekly as eliminations happen:
| Week | Theme | Highest Score | Lowest Score | Eliminated Couple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Premiere Night | 22 | 9 | None |
| 2 | One-Hit Wonders Night | 22 | 9 | Corey Feldman & Jenna Johnson, Baron Davis & Britt Stewart |
| 3 | Movie Night | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 4 | Disney 100 Celebration | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 5 | TikTok Night | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Halloween Night | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 7 | Semi-Finals | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 8 | Finals | TBD | TBD | Winner Announced |
DWTS Season 34: Upcoming episode
As of September 28, 2025, Dancing with the Stars Season 34 has not yet aired a “Movie Night” episode. The season began with the premiere on September 16, 2025, followed by “One-Hit Wonders Night” on September 23, 2025. The next scheduled episode is “TikTok Night,” set to air on September 30, 2025.
Dancing with the Stars Winners List (All Seasons)
One of the most searched DWTS-related queries is “Who won Dancing with the Stars?” To capture that traffic, here’s the complete winners list from Season 1 through 34:
| Season | Year | Winner (Celebrity) | Pro Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2005 | Kelly Monaco | Alec Mazo |
| 2 | 2006 | Drew Lachey | Cheryl Burke |
| 3 | 2006 | Emmitt Smith | Cheryl Burke |
| 4 | 2007 | Apolo Anton Ohno | Julianne Hough |
| 5 | 2007 | Hélio Castroneves | Julianne Hough |
| 6 | 2008 | Kristi Yamaguchi | Mark Ballas |
| … | … | … | … |
| 33 | 2024 | Xochitl Gomez | Val Chmerkovskiy |
| 34 | 2025 | TBD | TBD |
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Most Iconic DWTS Performances of All Time
DWTS has delivered countless unforgettable routines. Here are some of the most iconic:
- Zendaya & Val’s Samba (Season 16): Showed that younger contestants could compete at the highest level.
- Bindi Irwin & Derek Hough’s Freestyle (Season 21): An emotional tribute to her father that brought the audience to tears.
- Jordan Fisher & Lindsay Arnold’s Argentine Tango (Season 25): Technical perfection that earned a perfect score.
- Hannah Brown & Alan Bersten’s Foxtrot (Season 28): A redemption arc that ended with a championship.
- Iman Shumpert & Daniella Karagach’s Halloween Freestyle (Season 30): Proved that even athletes without dance backgrounds can stun audiences.
Behind the Scenes: Fan Culture & Voting
Part of what makes DWTS a phenomenon is its fan-driven culture. Viewers don’t just watch — they participate.
- Voting System: Fans can vote online through ABC.com or via text during the live show. Votes often sway outcomes, allowing underdogs to survive and fan favorites to reach the finals.
- Rehearsals: Celebrities spend 30–40 hours per week rehearsing with their pro partners.
- Social Media Reactions: Twitter and TikTok explode with reactions after each episode, with hashtags like #DWTS and #DancingWithTheStars trending weekly.
- Controversies: From shocking eliminations to judge disagreements, drama often fuels fan debates and media coverage.
How to Watch Dancing with the Stars
- Broadcast: ABC, Mondays at 8/7c.
- Streaming: Disney+ (episodes available next day).
- On Demand: ABC app and Hulu.
DWTS has successfully adapted to the streaming era, ensuring fans can watch wherever they are.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who won Dancing with the Stars 2025?
➡️ The winner will be announced in the Season 34 finale. Bookmark this page for live updates.
What day and time does DWTS air?
➡️ Mondays at 8/7c on ABC, with episodes available the next day on Disney+.
Who are the DWTS 2025 judges?
➡️ Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.
How do I vote for my favorite couple?
➡️ Fans can vote online at ABC.com or text their votes during live broadcasts.
Which professional dancers are returning in 2025?
➡️ Familiar names like Val Chmerkovskiy, Emma Slater, and Jenna Johnson are expected to return.
What is the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy?
➡️ The DWTS trophy was renamed in 2023 to honor longtime head judge Len Goodman.
Has any celebrity won DWTS more than once?
➡️ No celebrity has won twice, though several professional dancers (like Derek Hough and Val Chmerkovskiy) have multiple championships.
Who is the youngest DWTS winner?
➡️ Zendaya nearly won at 16, but the youngest actual winner is Laurie Hernandez at age 16 in Season 23.
Conclusion
Dancing with the Stars continues to be one of the most dynamic, entertaining shows on television. Season 34 in 2025 promises exciting performances, shocking eliminations, and unforgettable dance moments. From the star-studded cast to the drama of weekly results, DWTS remains must-watch television.
Bookmark this guide for the latest updates — including weekly elimination results, cast news, and the Season 34 winner reveal.
