Top 10 Dancing with the Stars Couples with the Best Chemistry (On & Off the Dance Floor)

Top 10 Dancing with the Stars Couples with the Best Chemistry On & Off the Dance Floor

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the “Dancing with the Stars” partners whose behind-the-scenes connection lit up the ballroom.

#10: Stephen Nedoroscik & Rylee Arnold

Season 33

The Olympic gymnast and his dancing pro gave us the energy of two besties who have the most fun devising performances that they then make everyone else on the playground watch. Arnold shared that she had truly wished to be partnered with Nedoroscik, going as far as saying, “I was like, if he’s not my partner, I’m going to cry.” She also discussed how much fun she’d had getting to know him and that they’d become prone to a game night when they’re not dancing. Both on and off the dancefloor, you see both their deep respect and the fun they share. Perhaps, they didn’t win, but they gained a lifelong friendship.

#9: Jana Kramer & Gleb Savchenko

Season 23

These two had such strong chemistry on the dance floor that it didn’t take long for people to wonder if they were more than just dance partners. Savchenko shut down the rumors, saying it was just good acting and a natural connection. But when you think about how many hours a day they spend that close, it makes sense they'd build a bond. For Kramer, what made it work was how well they balanced each other out. Their steamy Argentine Tango only added to the buzz, and even after the show ended, their bond stuck. Kramer even reached out to Savchenko later for parenting advice. The partnership may have ended, but the friendship clearly didn’t.

#8: Kelly Monaco & Val Chmerkovskiy

Season 15

Val seems like the kind of guy who could have chemistry with a coat rack. Maybe that’s why his name keeps coming up when we think of the show’s most iconic partnerships, from Rumer Willis in Season 20 to Laurie Hernandez in Season 23. But perhaps his most compelling chemistry was with his Season 15 partner, Kelly Monaco. Off the dance floor, they shared laughs and an easy friendship, which translated into incredibly captivating performances. Compared to her first round, Monaco appeared more relaxed, and her scores showed it. She didn’t reclaim the mirrorball, but she and Val could easily claim the title of one of the most loved partnerships in the show’s history.

#7: Cheryl Burke & Gilles Marini

Season 8

When it comes to chemistry, as Burke said, “you can’t teach that, you either have it with someone or you don’t.” Does that mean this pairing, again to borrow from Burke, “[jumped] [each other’s] bones?” They may say no, but it sure didn’t look like they didn’t at least want to. From week one, they delivered sensational performances, with their Argentine Tango still leaving us all hot and flustered. Actually, no matter the style, they brought their own brand of heat every week. Their freestyle felt like the story of their time together on and off the floor, fun, fiery, and unforgettable. While his “All Star” run with Peta was strong, his time with Cheryl showed that dance talent alone can only get a celeb so far.

#6: Trevor Donovan & Emma Slater

Season 31

Season 31 got a lot right with its partnerships, but one we especially couldn’t get enough of was Trevor and Emma. Trevor may not have been the most technically skilled, but he and his partner danced rings around the competition when it came to chemistry. She helped him loosen up, while he brought a grounded energy that may have been exactly what she needed during a turbulent time. Even host Alfonso Ribeiro questioned how much of their rumba was really acting. They weren’t the strongest couple on the floor, but their connection was undeniable. The judges clearly saw that, too, saving them again and again all the way to the semifinals.

#5: Bindi Irwin & Derek Hough

Season 21

From the moment these two were paired, it felt like Derek stepped into a big brother role. Bindi threw herself into the experience from day one, while he created a supportive environment, tailoring routines to her strengths. The trust between them was so unreal that Bindi seemed confident enough in her partner to attempt even the most ambitious moves. Their connection shone brightest during their heartfelt contemporary tribute to Bindi’s late father. It speaks volumes that she’d trust him with such a painful memory, and you could see how important it was for him to tell her story with respect and compassion. Watching them was a joy, and of course, they lifted the mirrorball together.

#4: Ilona Maher & Alan Bersten

Season 33

One of our Season 33 highlights was watching this duo, both on and off the dance floor. As Bersten shared, they’d found their bond quickly. In fact, from the moment he heard Maher was joining the cast, he hoped they'd be paired. Together, they brought a fun, easy energy to every routine. Their chemistry felt natural, like they genuinely enjoyed dancing together. It was refreshing to see a partnership built on trust, laughter, and real friendship. That's not to say they didn’t put in the work. However, they also bonded outside the studio over snack breaks, spa days, and workouts. They may have finished as runners-up, but they easily walked away as the season’s fan favorites.

#3: Robert Herjavec & Kym Johnson Herjavec

Season 20

So far, most of the bonds we’ve discussed have been platonic, but that’s not always the case as we're about to see. Going in, this couple may have had their sights set on lifting the mirrorball, but by their week 8 elimination, they were focused on something bigger: starting a life together. It was clear to anyone watching that there was something between them from the start, and that glimmer grew brighter each week. When they danced the Waltz, it felt like the world melted away, leaving only them and the music. Of course, their elimination didn’t mark the last dance. They tied the knot in 2016 and are now parents to twins.

#2: Meryl Davis & Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Season 18

If two couples had us glued to our screens during Season 18, it was James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd, and Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (and yes, we know Maks and Peta are now married). Rumor has it James and Peta even went on a date before the season began. Meanwhile, Meryl and Maks kept fans guessing all season, with their chemistry so intense it was hard not to wonder what was happening off-camera. It felt like a classic case of opposites attracting, and it worked wonders for their performances. In the end, it was clear they shared something special: mutual respect, real joy, and a spark that captured exactly what makes this show so fun to watch.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Apolo Ohno & Julianne Hough, Season 4

Their Bond Was So Strong, People Often Wondered If There Was More Than Friendship

JoJo Siwa & Jenna Johnson, Season 30

This Groundbreaking Duo Typically Brought Their Fun Dynamic to the Dance Floor

Riker Lynch & Allison Holker, Season 20

Their Easy, Natural Chemistry Helped Them Deliver Showstopper After Showstopper.

Iman Shumpert & Daniella Karagach, Season 30

When They Say Teamwork Makes the Dream Work, This Is Who They’re Talking About

Jordan Fisher & Lindsay Arnold, Season 25

Every Dance Felt Like They Were Welcoming Us into Their Off-Camera Friendship

#1: Daniel Durant & Britt Stewart

Season 31

As soon as Britt found out who her season 31 partner would be, she began learning American Sign Language. After all, he was stepping into her world; why wouldn’t she do the same for him? That genuine desire to connect with him is what made their relationship feel so authentic. She cites the now-iconic “‘90s Night” jazz routine as the moment everything changed. They were no longer just dance partners. Many of us sensed their special connection from the beginning, so it wasn’t surprising, just incredibly sweet, when we learned things were heating up off the floor. Britt called Durant her “forever dance partner.” In 2025, that title became official when they tied the knot.

Who was your favorite pairing? Be sure to let us know in the comments