Top 20 Dancing with the Stars Couples of All Time
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VOICE OVER: Emily Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Lindsay Haley
These "Dancing with the Stars" couples went together in harmony. For this list, we'll be looking at the most memorable duos who competed together on the dance competition series. Our countdown includes Corbin Bleu & Karina Smirnoff, Milo Manheim & Witney Carson, Jordan Fisher & Lindsay Arnold, and more!
#20: Kellie Pickler & Derek Hough Season 16
A low score from at least one judge is pretty common for all “DWTS” couples. But not for country music star Kellie Pickler and her accomplished partner Derek Hough. During the show’s 16th season, the duo never received a mark below a seven, and moved their way through each week with increasingly electric performances. Aside from showcasing their dance skills with amazing routines (who could forget that finale freestyle?), Kellie and Derek seemed to have genuine fun along the way. A real friendship and trust emerged, which was translated on the dancefloor. The couple ended up earning both the Mirrorball Trophy and cementing their status as one of the show’s most memorable champions.
#19: James Maslow & Peta Murgatroyd Season 18
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“Big Time Rush” star James Maslow teamed up with Peta for season 18. The energy between them was so magnetic some people wondered if there was something deeper than a friendship blooming! The duo maintained they were just friends, but they did give viewers a much-anticipated kiss during a steamy tango! Needless to say, James and Peta became fan-favorites who earned season 18’s first perfect score. They even got a spot in the finals, only to finish in fourth place. However, the pair was overwhelmingly picked by Twitter to perform an encore of their high-energy freestyle. Thus, they capped off their stellar journey with one last reminder of how great a team they are.
#18: Apolo Anton Ohno & Julianne Hough Season 4
Like her brother Derek, Julianne Hough often brings out the best in her celebrity partners. Way back in season 4, she was paired with Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno. Together, the two were quite the force to be reckoned with. Routinely delivering impressive footwork and improving from week to week, the pair deservingly earned the first perfect score of the season with a crowd-pleasing samba. Those weren’t the only 10s the duo would receive throughout the competition, as they pretty much dominated season 4. To no surprise, the power couple walked away with the trophy after delivering an iconic hip-hop freestyle, among other routines. They remain one of the best partnerships in “Dancing with the Stars” history, even all these years later.
#17: Corbin Bleu & Karina Smirnoff Season 17
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Season 17 saw former Wildcat Corbin Bleu take to the dancefloor with Karina Smirnoff. Disney Channel fans were well aware of the actor’s dancing skills, but he still managed to wow viewers with moves we hadn’t seen on “High School Musical”. As if technique and skill weren't enough to make him and Karina a memorable pair, their dynamic as a team was heartwarming to watch. She described him as a “bubble of joy”, and indeed, the two could often be found laughing in rehearsals while still putting in the work. The pair just missed out on the Mirror Ball as their season’s runners-up. But they should certainly be proud of the energy and joy they brought to the ballroom.
#16: Riker Lynch & Allison Holker Season 20
The competition seemed to be fiercer than ever in season 20, largely due to the star power brought to the dancefloor by Riker and Allison. Delivering a versatile range of routines that had viewers cheering, crying, or simply watching in awe, Riker and Allison proved that together, they’re masterful performers and storytellers. The couple essentially breezed through the competition and put up quite the fight in the finale. They nailed a salsa/quickstep fusion dance and received a perfect score, even though the routine was put together in just one day. Not to mention their fun-filled freestyle, which is guaranteed to make anyone smile. The fan-favorites finished in second place, which is beyond respectable.
#15: Nicole Scherzinger & Derek Hough Season 10
Given her icon status as a Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger was well equipped to wow us on “DWTS.” With her equally rhythmic pro, Derek Hough, she lit up the ballroom with consistent fierceness, skill, and pure entertainment value. Front-runners from the beginning, the dancing seemed to come easy to this pair, and we were hooked on their every performance. But beyond that, the couple had undeniable chemistry as teammates and friends. They made sure to have a good time along the way, making their performances that much more captivating, seemingly effortless, and memorable. Following a series of captivating finale week routines, including a gorgeous Argentine tango, they were understandably crowned the winners of season 10.
#14: Alfonso Ribeiro & Witney Carson Season 19
It’s impossible not to smile when watching Alfonso Ribeiro dance. “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” fans knew he had moves, but we could’ve never imagined just how electrifying the TV personality could be in the ballroom. Partnered with Witney Carson on season 19, the complementary pair quickly became fan-favorites and proved week to week that they were gunning for the Mirrorball. After producing consistently high-scoring performances, the exuberant duo inevitably won the competition. We’ll never forget their modern paso doble trio routine, showstopping freestyle, and of course, the moment they whipped out the legendary “Carlton dance.”
#13: Sabrina Bryan & Mark Ballas Season 5
Anyone who grew up with “The Cheetah Girls” had high expectations for Sabrina Bryan when she competed on “DWTS.” We never doubted that she still had her cheetahliciousness, which was showcased in every single routine she performed with teammate Mark Ballas. The pair received regular praise from all three judges, making their week 6 elimination the ultimate shocker. To say they were robbed would be an understatement. Not only were they phenomenal from a technical standpoint, they also always brought the fire and the fun to the floor. And they did all that while cultivating a beautiful bond behind the scenes. Their week 4 paso doble? We have two words: chef’s kiss.
#12: Jennifer Grey & Derek Hough Season 11
With seasoned pro Derek Hough by her side, the amazing Jennifer Grey was a breath of fresh air on the show. The “Dirty Dancing” legend came out swinging at the beginning of season 11, often leading the pack in terms of judges’ scores. But the intensity of the competition and unfortunate injury meant it wasn’t going to be a sure thing for Jennifer and Derek. Yet they persevered, continuing to put in tremendous effort every week to deliver a slew of top-notch dances. They wound up winning their season — an amazing feat considering the challenges they faced. Even more commendable than the win was the kindness and love between the two as they navigated the whirlwind experience together.
#11: Milo Manheim & Witney Carson Season 27
Actor Milo Manheim was just 17 when appearing with pro Witney Carson on season 27. But his youth was certainly an advantage, as the teen exuded nothing but high energy and joy each week. Seemingly taking on an older sister role, Witney did a great job guiding the youngster. Together, they delivered the technique, quality, and star power needed to stick around in the competition. The couple’s impeccably matched energy, exciting dynamic, and high-scoring routines earned them second place…and a whole bunch of fans. We’ll always remember the props, water, and lifts included in one of the show’s most theatrical freestyles, and that’s just one of their many noteworthy routines!
#10: Normani & Val Chmerkovskiy Season 24
Multi-talented artist Normani danced with Val Chmerkovskiy during season 24. It's no secret that a Black woman was something of a rarity in the ballroom before Normani — something Val ultimately felt important to address. Though the dynamic duo performed routines entertaining and skillful enough to reach the finals, they ultimately finished in third place. It may have been due to a freestyle that Val later called a poor strategic choice. Yet even though they didn’t win, the pair was all things refreshing, hard-working, and creative throughout their run on the show. Both partners expressed they had rewarding experiences together, and viewers were treated to glimpses of their heartwarming friendship in the rehearsal studio and through their stunning performances.
#9: Nyle DiMarco & Peta Murgatroyd Season 22
Activist, model, and actor Nyle DiMarco took the ballroom by storm with his perfectly matched teammate, Peta Murgatroyd. Regularly bringing out the best in each other, the couple raked in lots of 9s and 10s and never stopped finding ways to improve. It was easy to fall in love with Nyle upon his “DWTS” introduction, but him and Peta working together as a team was amazing to watch. They wowed us with a gorgeous foxtrot, a killer Argentine tango, and perhaps most notably, a breathtaking freestyle that dropped jaws across the nation. Carrie Ann Inaba dubbed the routine the best she had ever seen on the show, and we see why. Nyle and Peta deservingly snagged the Mirrorball, making DiMarco the series’ first deaf champion.
#8: Laurie Hernandez & Val Chmerkovskiy Season 23
Following in the footsteps of other Olympic gymnasts like Shawn Johnson, Laurie Hernandez competed on “DWTS” alongside Val. The teen sensation was no stranger to the importance of technique, but she and Val gave us much more than impressive skill. The partners developed a genuine bond during their time together, leaving room for some light-hearted goofiness while remaining serious and competitive. He was a cherished teacher for her, and she was a hardworking delight for the professional dancer. With solid dance skills and friendship serving as the foundation of their partnership, Laurie and Val left season 23 as widely celebrated champions. Even more impressive was the fact that she became the youngest victor the series had seen.
#7: Lindsey Stirling & Mark Ballas Season 25
Season 25 saw violinist Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas join forces, and they quickly emerged as a quirky and creative threat to take the Mirrorball. Many voters across the nation were pulling for the mesmerizing duo to win. But they narrowly missed out on becoming champions when they were announced as the second-place finishers. Nevertheless, we’ll always remember their fantastic cha-cha-cha/tango fusion dance that even had the often critical Len Goodman singing their praises. The pair walked away with plenty of perfectly-scored routines, an inspiring friendship, and tons of adoring fans who were grateful to watch such an entertaining journey.
#6: Rumer Willis & Val Chmerkovskiy Season 20
Right out of the gates, actress Rumer Willis and Val became season 20’s frontrunners after producing week 1’s highest-scoring dance with their foxtrot. The uber compatible duo only got stronger from there, regularly accumulating 9s and 10s and only receiving one 7 — their lowest score. In the finals that they unsurprisingly made it to, they earned nothing but 10s for each of their dances. That’s a testament to the incredible hard work and bonding that took place throughout the competition. They concluded their stellar season with an intoxicating freestyle that helped earn them the trophy. They’re the team that triumphed over the aforementioned pair of Riker and Allison — something only an elite power couple could do.
#5: James Hinchcliffe & Sharna Burgess Season 23
Race car driver James Hinchcliffe and pro Sharna Burgess might’ve lost to Laurie and Val, but the pair ended up being one heck of a pleasant surprise! After all, we had high expectations of Laurie’s performance skills, but James was kind of the dark horse. What he lacked in experience he made up for with pure dedication, effort, and a great attitude. Sharna, for her part, was constantly a reliable source of motivation and support. You could practically sense James’ confidence rising with each routine, and it was a pure joy to watch. The runners-up’s finale freestyle and fusion dances earned 10s from the judges, marking the apropos end of a partnership that was pretty perfect.
#4: Zendaya & Val Chmerkovskiy Season 16
It’s not surprising that we’re mentioning Val here once again, considering his immense skill and the amount of extremely talented stars he’s danced with. Many would argue that his best partner was Zendaya, who commanded everyone’s attention with every routine she executed. Though they narrowly lost the Mirrorball to Kellie and Derek, we simply can’t ignore the amazing routines the couple cranked out each week. Regularly appearing to glide across the floor as one, Zendaya and Val had undeniable chemistry, compatible personalities, and in-sync work ethics. Some of the season 16 pair’s most infectious dances included an energizing hip-hop number and a fierce freestyle that we still haven’t gotten over.
#3: Jordan Fisher & Lindsay Arnold Season 25
Arguably one of the most charismatic stars to ever grace the ballroom was actor Jordan Fisher. Accomplishing what seemed impossible, he and his partner Lindsay Arnold earned a whopping nine perfect scores over the course of season 25. With that said, it wasn’t too hard to predict that the duo would wind up victorious. But pure dancefloor dominance aside, Jordan and Lindsay also made each of their movements look easy, likely due to the uplifting and genuine interactions they shared in rehearsals. A freestyle and a creative fusion dance were among the ones that helped solidify their victory. And their top-tier “Proud Mary” semifinals jive continues to live rent-free in our minds.
#2: Bindi Irwin & Derek Hough Season 21
Season 21 belonged to Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough. The TV personality, conservationist, and daughter of the late Steve Irwin was an absolute delight for the entirety of her time on the show. And Derek made sure to capitalize on the potential and radiance he saw in the young star. Extremely easy to root for, Bindi and Derek were fan-favorites who never failed to make viewers feel something when they danced. Raw emotion and pure genuineness were continuously on display, especially in their perfect-scoring rumba and Viennese waltz — slower styles that aren’t always easy to nail. A beaming Bindi holding that Mirrorball with Derek is about as wholesome and beautiful as “Dancing with the Stars” gets.
#1: Meryl Davis & Maksim Chmerkovskiy Season 18
There’s no denying the powerful chemistry that now-retired ice dancer Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy showcased on the dancefloor during their dancing journey. Every time we thought the pair couldn’t radiate more attraction and allure, they proved us wrong! Receiving mostly 9s and 10s throughout their phenomenal run, Meryl and Maks indisputably deserved that Mirrorball Trophy. Thanks to an intense connection — which of course sparked dating rumors — the perfectly paired partners showed they could truly do it all. Whether it was a slow-paced rumba, a high-energy jive, a magnetic tango, or a showstopping freestyle, they more than delivered. The competition series has produced plenty of amazing champions, but Meryl and Maks will forever be hard to top.
