Top 30 Best Dancing With the Stars Professional Dancers

Top 30 Best Dancing with the Stars Professional Dancers

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the “Dancing with the Stars” Professional dancers who left their legacy on the show, even if they’re no longer spinning around the dance floor.

#30: Rylee Arnold

Rylee started her “DWTS” journey on the junior show alongside actor Miles Brown. She joined the main show in season 32, wasting no time stepping out of big sister Lindsay Arnold’s shadow. Talk about some pretty huge ballroom shoes to fill! She quickly made her mark with partner Harry Jowsey. Their routines weren’t exactly top scorers, but the chemistry was so hot it carried them to the quarterfinals. Next season, she paired with Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, and they sailed to the finals, with their freestyle being particularly memorable. Rylee has also used social media to win over fans not just with her moves but with an effervescent personality that’s easy to root for.

#29: Britt Stewart

Apparently, Britt was scouted by the “DWTS” producers after they saw her prepping for “The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60.” She was cast as a troupe member, staying until it was disbanded ahead of season 29, when she finally got her first partner, Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir. This also made Stewart the first Black female pro on the show. She and Weir reached the semi-finals, but she had less luck with other partners: Martin Kove was first eliminated, Adrian Peterson finished eleventh, and Eric Roberts came in tenth. And don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten Daniel Durant. With him, Britt learned to get more creative with her choreography, and we got to see a friendship and, soon enough, love blossom.

#28: Pasha Pashkov

Pashkov and his now-wife Daniella Karagach were already seven-time U.S. 10-Dance and Latin Champions, repping the country around the world before ever stepping onto the “DWTS” stage. Pashkov joined in season 28 with actress Kate Flannery, making it to week eight. Next came Carole Baskin, who was first to go. Then Christine Chiu and Teresa Giudice, neither of whom changed his luck much. By season 33, Tori Spelling rounded out that rough streak. They do say everything happens in threes, right? But season 32 with Ariana Madix changed everything. She grew stronger with every dance, and together they finished 3rd. For once, it felt like Pashkov finally got the moment he’d been waiting for.

#27: Brandon Armstrong

Armstrong may have joined in season 24, but his “DWTS” roots run deep. He trained with the Ballas family. He got his first partner in season 27, singer Tinashe. We’re probably surprising no one when we say they were consistently high scorers, so their week four elimination was certainly unexpected. Armstrong has quite an impressive “DWTS” resume, including Mary Wilson, Kenya Moore, Jordin Sparks, and Lele Pons, with Pons finishing in 8th place. In Season 29, he was partnered with Jeannie Mai, who had to pull out due to health reasons. Season 33 looked like his year with Chandler Kinney, becoming the first Black duo to reach the final and finishing third overall.

#26: Gleb Savchenko

Moscow-born Savchenko hit the dance floor at just 8 years old and hasn’t slowed down since. He’s twirled through the Australian, Russian, and British versions of this competition before landing on the U.S. stage, where he’s had the longest run, serving as both troupe member and partnered pro. Along the way, he even squeezed in a L’Oreal commercial with Jennifer Lopez. Over the years, he’s been paired with “Real Housewives,” “Pretty Little Liars,” WNBA stars, and Spice Girls. So far, Savchenko has reached three finals with actress Jana Kramer, singer Lauren Alaina, and Drag Queen Shangela. With each of them, he finished in 4th place, which remains his highest placement to date.

#25: Allison Holker

Before joining “DWTS,” Holker danced at the 2002 Olympics, appeared in the first two “High School Musical” films, “The X Factor USA,” and Christina Perri’s “Jar of Hearts” video. She competed twice on “So You Think You Can Dance,” first reaching the quarterfinals, then returning as an All-Star. Unlike most pros, Holker came in with little ballroom or Latin training, having a background in contemporary, tap, ballet, and jazz. Her first partner was “Mean Girls’” Jonathan Bennett, who placed ninth. She later danced with Andy Grammer and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. However, it was her Season 20 run with Riker Lynch that truly stood out. They finished just shy of the mirrorball, leaving many to feel they’d been robbed.

#24: Edyta Śliwińska

Originally from Poland, this multi-award-winning dancer was part of the series from day one, dancing through ten seasons. She was first paired up with Evander Holyfield, finishing a solid fifth, a placement she repeated with George Hamilton and Cameron Mathison. Her best runs came in Seasons 3 and 6, landing third with Joey Lawrence and second with Jason Taylor. In her final season, she was paired with the controversially cast Geraldo Rivera. Well, when you Salsa with a very orange commander-in-chief, there’s really nowhere else to go, now is there? Since leaving the series, she’s stayed in step with her husband and fellow alum Alec Mazo and even dabbled in acting.

#23: Chelsie Hightower

Silver screens, treading the boards, international dance champ, and three-time “SYTYCD” performer, Hightower was already a force before ever stepping onto the “DWTS” floor. She joined in Season 8, making her debut alongside rodeo star Ty Murray and placing fourth, her highest finish. From there, she teamed up with everyone from Romeo to Louie Vito to Michael Bolton. She also danced with former “DWTS” champion Hélio Castroneves in an all-star season (though that comeback ended in week three). While she never got her hands on the mirrorball during her time on the show, she still made her mark, earning an Emmy nomination for her showstopping Season 10 Paso Doble with Derek Hough.

#22: Daniella Karagach

Karagach started dancing as a kid after being diagnosed with ADHD. She began competing in dancesport at 11, racking up national titles, and eventually met her now-husband and dance partner, Pasha Pashkov. She joined “DWTS” in Season 28 but didn’t get a partner until the following season, when she danced with Nelly and finished third. Her next season with Iman Shumpert was one for the books. Her spooky contemporary routine even scored her an Emmy nomination. After a short-lived season with Joseph Baena (they placed eleventh), she made a big comeback, finishing second with Jason Mraz. In season 33, she danced with Dwight Howard, making it to the quarterfinals. Not too shabby.

#21: Louis van Amstel

Van Amstel, one of the pros from the early days, arguably helped shape the show into what it is today. He started his career in the Netherlands with partner Julie Fryer, racking up high placements at major championships. He briefly hung up his dance shoes but laced them back up after moving to the U.S., and partnering up with Karina Smirnoff. He made his “DWTS” debut with Trista Sutter, finishing sixth, and later danced with Monique Coleman, Priscilla Presley, Niecy Nash, Margaret Cho, and Sabrina Bryan, whose second early elimination remains one of the show’s biggest shocks. His best result came with Kelly Osbourne, placing third. After 10 seasons away, he returned with Cheryl Ladd but was quickly booted out.

#20: Lacey Schwimmer

Does “DWTS” use “SYTYCD” as its personal talent pool? If so, this is apparently where it all started. Schwimmer grew up in a family of dancers and began competing as a child, scooping up titles along the way. She joined “DWTS” for six seasons, first teaming with Lance Bass and finishing third. She next landed eighth with Steve-O and sixth with Mark Dacascos, before bouncing back as runner-up with Kyle Massey. She then went from one extreme to the other, finishing second one season, then getting eliminated first with Mike Catherwood the next. Her final run was with Chaz Bono, finishing seventh. Outside the ballroom, Schwimmer launched a music career, debuting her single “Love Soundz” in 2011.

#19: Jenna Johnson

Serving as a five-time U.S. National Latin Champion, Johnson is also a prior “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant, making it to the top eight on season 10. She later danced as part of the “Stars” troupe between seasons 18 and 22 before making her professional partner debut on 23 with Jake T. Austin. They didn’t go far. However, her next year fared far better, as she won the Mirror Ball Trophy with former figure skater Adam Rippon with an average score of 27.6. Talk about a comeback! The following year she placed fifth with Joe Amabile, and in season 28 she placed eighth with Karamo Brown and it feels like she almost always continues to rise. Needless to say every year she manages to make one heck of an impression.

#18: Keo Motsepe

Hailing from South Africa, Keo Motsepe made “Dancing with the Stars” history in 2014 by becoming the first professional black dancer in the show’s history. He was teamed with Olympic athlete Lolo Jones, but they were eliminated in the very first week with a cumulative score of 22. Motsepe struggled through his early “Stars” career. He was the first eliminated in three of his first six appearances, and in two others he placed 11th and 12th. However, he found his groove in season 26, placing fourth with Jennie Finch Daigle. The following year he placed a fantastic third with Evanna Lynch, complete with four perfect dances.

#17: Alan Bersten

This Latin and ballroom dancer from Minnesota also competed on the tenth season of “So You Think You Can Dance” alongside Jenna Johnson, although he only made it to the top twelve. He danced in the “Stars” troupe for five seasons before making his partner debut with Debbie Gibson in season 25. They placed 12th. It would be Bersten’s worst placement by far. In the three following seasons, he placed no lower than fourth. He placed there with both Mirai Nagasu and Alexis Ren before taking home the Mirror Ball Trophy with Hannah Brown in season 28. Their final performance, a Freestyle to “Girl on Fire” and “Hollaback Girl,” earned a perfect 30 from the judges. Bersten has certainly had some memorable partners, and certainly some we’re sure will be friends for life.

#16: Sasha Farber

Born in Moscow, Farber moved with his family to Australia when he was two years old and represented the country at various ceremonies and competitions, including the World Latin Championships and the 2000 Sydney Olympics’ closing ceremony. He made his partner debut in season 17 with Snooki, placing eighth with an average score of 25. Farber has performed consistently well throughout his “Stars” career, placing fifth or higher in seven of his 12 appearances so far. These include two third-place finishes - one with Tonya Harding and another with Ally Brooke, with whom he landed an average score of 26.6 and five perfect dances.

#15: Emma Slater

There is quite a little family on “Dancing with the Stars.” Slater was married to fellow pro Sasha Farber, and her twin sister works as both a stylist and costume designer on the show. Following a career in theater and appearing in the 2008 film adaptation of “Mamma Mia!,” Slater made her professional debut in season 17 with Bill Engvall. They placed fourth with an average score of 22.5. It would be her best performance until season 24, when she proved victorious with football player Rashad Jennings. The two earned their first 10 in week four and scored two perfect dances. They also earned the highest average of Slater’s career with 27. Ever since, however, Slater’s placements seemed to mostly drop, well there’s always next time.

#14: Tony Dovolani

This Albanian dancer is one of the old school partners, making his first appearance all the way back in season 2 with Stacy Keibler. The duo placed third with an average score of 27.7. He would continue to perform well, placing fourth with Marissa Jaret Winokur in season 6 and third again with Melissa Rycroft in season 8. Following a string of disappointing outcomes, Dovolani finally touched the Mirror Ball Trophy in season 15, dancing again with Rycroft in an All-Stars season. The two earned an excellent average score of 28 and five perfect dances, eeking out both Kelly Monaco & Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough. Dovolani officially retired from “Stars” in February 2018, at the age 44.

#13: Anna Trebunskaya

Another child to professional dancer, Trebunskaya was born in Russia, won her first dancing competition at age seven, and moved to the United States at 17. She made her “Stars” debut in season two, and what a debut it was. She placed second with football player Jerry Rice, eventually losing to Drew Lachey & Cheryl Burke. She would again place second in season ten with Evan Lysacek, earning two perfect scores. It would be her last great season, as she later floundered with the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Jack Wagner, and Gary Busey. The latter would prove to be her final appearance on “Dancing With the Stars.”

#12: Sharna Burgess

Along with Sasha Farber, Sharna Burgess also represented her native Australia at the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Eleven years later, she appeared as a troupe dancer on “Stars” and made her partner debut in season 16 with Andy Dick. They placed a decent seventh. Burgess tasted but never quite attained victory throughout much of her “Stars” career, having placed second in three seasons. Her peak came in seasons 26 and 27 - in the former, she placed second with Josh Norman. In the latter, she finally won the Mirror Ball Trophy with radio host Bobby Bones (despite averaging just 22.8 and earning 7s up to the semifinals).

#11: Lindsay Arnold

Another “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant and great friend of Emma Slater, Arnold was an absolute powerhouse on “Dancing with the Stars.” She made her debut back in season 16, placing eighth with Victor Ortiz. It would be her lowest placement in ten seasons (although she placed eighth again with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Arnold has placed fourth or better in five of her ten seasons, including two third place finishes, one second, and one first. She won the Mirror Ball with actor Jordan Fisher in season 25, complete with a stellar average score of 27.9 and nine perfectly-scored dances (including four in the finale). It was a well-deserved win indeed.

#10: Witney Carson

Alongside best friend Lindsay Arnold (who served as Carson’s matron of honor at her wedding), Carson is one of the all-time great “Dancing with the Stars” partners. She took home the Mirror Ball in her second season on the show, dancing with Alfonso Ribeiro and earning five perfect scores. She was also nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography for her work. Carson has also earned two fourth place finishes, two thirds with Frankie Muniz and Wayne Brady, and two seconds with both Milo Manheim and Kel Mitchell - both of which were back to back placements in seasons 27 and 28. Too bad about that Chris Kattan year, though...

#9: Peta Murgatroyd

Born in New Zealand but raised in Australia, Peta Murgatroyd has been dancing since she was four years old. She studied ballet extensively until an ankle injury forced her to retire at 16. She ventured into Latin dancing and landed on “Stars” in season 13, being paired with Metta World Peace. They did not do well, scoring a cumulative 14 and being the first team eliminated. However, Murgatroyd enjoyed a stellar turnaround and placed first the next year with Donald Driver, making her the second pro to win after placing last on the previous season. It wasn’t the only time that Murgatroyd has touched the trophy, as she won again in season 22 with activist Nyle DiMarco.

#8: Karina Smirnoff

One of the most prolific and popular dancers in “Dancing with the Stars” history, Karina Smirnoff made her debut in season three with actor and journalist Mario Lopez. The two performed extremely well, averaging 27.6 and earning three perfect scores. However, they were runners-up to Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke. It was Smirnoff’s first of two second place finishes, as she also served as runner-up in season 17 with Corbin Bleu. Luckily, Smirnoff has tasted victory. She emerged the victor of season 13 with former soldier and motivational speaker J.R. Martinez, earning four perfect scores with their Waltz, Instant Jive, Freestyle, and Instant Samba.

#7: Maksim Chmerkovskiy

This Ukrainian dancer is a “Dancing with the Stars” legend, having made it to the final round in five separate seasons. After sixth and seventh place finishes, Chmerkovskiy placed third with Laila Ali and second with Mel B. He would again place third in season 10 with Erin Andrews and second in season 12 with Kirstie Alley. It wouldn’t be until season 18 - Chmerkovskiy’s fourteenth - that he would finally take home the Mirror Ball Trophy. He won with ice dancer Meryl Davis, and the two enjoyed an astounding average score of 28.4. This included six perfect scores, including five consecutive perfect dances in the semifinals and finals. This was their season to lose.

#6: Julianne Hough

Amazingly, Hough has only danced in five seasons - 4 through 8. However, she earned her place in “Dancing with the Stars” history by winning back to back Mirror Ball Trophies in seasons 4 and 5. In the former, she danced with speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno and earned an average score of 27.5. The following year she was paired with Brazilian race car driver Hélio Castroneves, averaging 27.1. For her incredible work on the show, Hough received three Emmy award nominations and one win for Outstanding Choreography. She retired from dancing after season 8 in 2009 but later re-appeared as a judge, serving full time between seasons 19 and 24 - minus season 22.

#5: Kym Johnson

Yet another professional dancer hailing from Down Under, Johnson competed on three seasons of “Dancing with the Stars Australia” (even winning one!) before making her way to the American version in season three. She performed well, scoring second in two of her first five appearances. She hit her stride in season 9, winning the Mirror Ball with Donny Osmond. Johnson then experienced a bit of a yo-yo effect, being the first eliminated in her follow-up season with David Hasselhoff and then winning again with Hines Ward. While she hasn’t reclaimed the trophy for a third time, she has won something else - love. Cheesiness aside, she married her season 20 partner Robert Herjavec in 2016 and now goes by Kym Herjavec.

#4: Cheryl Burke

Many “Dancing with the Stars” records were set by Cheryl Burke. She was the first female professional to win, winning season two with Drew Lachey. The two enjoyed an average rating of 27.7. The following year, Burke became the first professional to win two seasons, taking home the trophy again with football player Emmitt Smith and averaging 26.8. And with the Smith win, Burke became the first professional to win back to back seasons. Unfortunately, she would never reclaim the glory, although she enjoyed four third place finishes and two second. She also competed regularly from season 2 until season 31, making her one of the prominent professionals on the show.

#3: Valentin Chmerkovskiy

Serving as Maksim’s younger brother and Peta Murgatroyd’s brother-in-law and Jenna Johnson’s husband, Valentin made his official partner debut in season 13 with Elisabetta Canalis, despite previously dancing with his older brother on the show. The two placed a disappointing eleventh. But beginning in season 15, Chmerkovskiy entered into an incredible and historic run. Between seasons 15 and 24, he never placed below sixth. Overall, he’s landed four third place finishes, two second, and three firsts - in season 20 with Rumer Willis and again in season 23 with Laurie Hernandez and finally in season 32 with Xochitl Gomez. He also holds the record for the earliest perfect score in “Dancing with the Stars” history, earning four tens in week 3 of season 19 with Janel Parrish.

#2: Mark Ballas

This Texan was born into a family of dancers, including Latin champion father Corky and celebrated Queen of Latin, Shirley Ballas. Needless to say, expectations were high. Needless to say again, Ballas met them all and then some. He took home the Mirror Ball in his second season, having been partnered with Kristi Yamaguchi. Following an eleventh place finish with Kim Kardashian, Ballas won yet again with Shawn Johnson and once more with Charli D'Amelio. His achievements also include 3 third place finishes and four second. He has also set and broken numerous records, including the then highest premiere score (27 with Yamaguchi), the most second place finishes, and the most appearances in the finals, having made it on eleven separate occasions.

#1: Derek Hough

There’s just no question - Derek Hough is the all time greatest “Dancing with the Stars” professional. In his seventeen seasons, he has never once placed below sixth - and even then, it was only on two occasions! He has earned one third place finish, two seconds, and a record-holding six victories. The celebrities he has won with are Brooke Burke, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Grey, Kellie Pickler, Amber Riley, and Bindi Irwin. He has also earned nine Emmy nominations and two wins for Outstanding Choreography. His legacy was cemented in season 29 by replacing Len Goodman on the judges’ panel, as Goodman couldn’t travel to the US owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Which “DWTS” pro do you think has become most synonymous with the series? Let us know in the comments