Top 10 Dance Styles We Wish They'd Bring Back on Dancing with the Stars
#10: Fusion
This is when the pairs incorporate two dance styles into one performance. It’s a great way to showcase Latin and Ballroom skills and put a fresh spin on a traditional dance. It would also allow the choreographers to get creative and push boundaries that would hopefully bring out the best in their partners. Fusions were performed in seasons 15, 18, and 30, with highlights including Amy Purdy’s Argentine Tango-Cha-Cha-Cha, Shawn Johnson’s Tango-Paso Doble, and Iman Shumpert’s Cha-Cha-Cha-Foxtrot. With the right music, choreography, and chemistry, it looks amazing, and we’d love to see it become a mainstay of the show. The Fusion is the perfect way to shake things up once the pairs settle into the competition.
#9: Bollywood
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We first saw Bollywood introduced in season 15, with subsequent comebacks in seasons 19 and 22. The dance typically features in Hindi films and incorporates Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Folk dances from around India. Today it’s often blended with Western styles, but it’s recognizable for its bright and colorful energy and lively music. Perhaps the show could bring in some Bollywood experts to collaborate with the pros on creating routines that spotlight and celebrate Bollywood and Indian culture. This could also be a great way to teach audiences about dances from around the world and their influences on modern dance culture. Done with thought, care, and respect, Bollywood routines would really light up the dance floor.
#8: Hip-Hop
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Okay, we know this could technically be incorporated into a freestyle, but hear us out. Many pros on the show are trained primarily in Ballroom and Latin, and Hip-Hop is a far cry from either. Don’t believe us? Just watch Val trying to get to grips with it ahead of his performance with Zendaya. And who says you can’t bring a little Street to the ballroom anyway? There have been some epic Hip-Hop routines over the years, including Zendaya’s, Apolo Anton Ohno’s, and a group routine in season seven. It brings something fun, fresh, and new to the dance floor - plus it’s entertaining to watch the pros grapple with a new challenge for a change.
#7: Burlesque
This steamy style was introduced in season 19, but performed by just one couple. Based on this routine alone, we know it’s a dance we’d love to see more often. It’s daring and sensational and exudes sensuality and empowerment. It can also be comical, cheeky, and tantalizing, so there’s a lot the choreographers can play with, from the steps to the storytelling. It would also be a great way to help the more reserved celebs come out of their shell since it’s hard to remain shy while performing Burlesque. “Dancing with the Stars” helped bring Ballroom and Latin into the mainstream; just think of the wonders it could do for Burlesque.
#6: Lambada
Originating from Brazil and garnering worldwide recognition in the 80s, the Lambada was nicknamed "The Forbidden Dance" due to its sensuous movements. Perhaps that's why they stopped performing it on the show. Of course, we're just kidding about that! The Lambada borrows from dances like salsa, merengue, carimbó (ka-reem-BO), and more; it's danced with a partner and includes side-to-side steps, spins, and emphatic hip action. The Lambada was showcased for just one week during the ninth season and danced by celebs like Aaron Carter, Joanna Krupa, and Mýa. Whether the couples opt for party vibes or something more seductive, it's always a delight to watch. Talk about bringing the heat to the competition!
#5: Bolero
The Bolero was first performed in season nine before taking a hiatus until season 15, but it hasn’t been seen since. Since it’s a slow and sensual routine hailing from Cuba, perhaps the execs felt it was just too close to the Rumba. However, the counts differ, there’s more rise and fall, and some might argue that it’s more passionate than the Rumba. Apparently, the professionals are less familiar with this style, and reportedly, Cheryl Burke had to ask other professional dancers for help with her and Emmitt Smith’s routine. It was also danced by Natalie Coughlin and Michael Irvin, respectively. We don’t think the Bolero was given enough of a chance, and it’s time to reconsider.
#4: Lindy Hop
The Lindy Hop is a type of Swing Dance hailing from the Black Harlem communities of the 1920s. If you recall Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani’s routine from season eight or Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke’s dance in season 15, you’ll know that it requires a lot of energy. It’s also one of the few styles on the show that permits lifts, and some of those aerial moves can get pretty intense— in the best possible way. The Lindy Hop is speedy and animated and demands high levels of stamina and athleticism. We can’t fathom why it isn’t a permanent feature on the show. Who doesn’t love a fun, fast, and acrobatic dance?
#3: Jitterbug
Another form of Swing Dance, the Jitterbug, is a close neighbor of the Lindy Hop. However, it’s often considered the simplified version since it’s counted in sixes rather than eights. The Jitterbug draws on East Coast swing, Charleston, Jive, and more which might explain why it was shelved after season 23. Still, when we think of Brooke Burke and Derek Hough in season seven, Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani in season 15, and James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess in season 23, we can’t help but feel like this is an injustice. These duos blew us away with their high-energy moves and gravity-defying tricks. The Jitterbug is a showstopper, and it’s time to bring it back.
#2: Mambo
This dance can be traced to 1940s Cuba and takes its name from the style of music to which it’s often performed. It garnered popularity thanks to its agile and free moves, eventually becoming one of the most favored Latin dances in the U.S. However, the modern Mambo is an Americanized version that differs from the original. It was introduced on “Dancing with the Stars” in season three but was eventually seemingly phased out for the similarly-paced Salsa. Still, if you ask us, performances like Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer’s in season seven, Hélio Castroneves and Julianne Hough’s in season five, and Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough’s from season 15 are a compelling enough argument to bring it back.
#1: West Coast Swing
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West Coast Swing is essentially the love child of the Jazz era and Lindy Hop and combines everything we love about dance. It can be both a sport and an art form and can be danced socially or competitively. Put that all together, and you have a dance that's tailor-made for televised entertainment. As a traditionally improvised style, it would challenge competitors' musicality and rhythm. Meanwhile, we imagine the choreographers would have a field day with the steps’ endless versatility. Only two couples have ever danced West Coast Swing on the show, perhaps because the pros are less familiar with it - and that was all the way back in the 7th season. Still, they're a talented bunch, so we think they should take another swing at it.
