From Stardom to Spotlight: Unveiling the Unforgettable Journeys of 'Dancing With the Stars' Winners

The U.S. version of the U.K. series Strictly Come Dancing was launched by ABC in June 2005. Tom Bergeron initially served as the host of Dancing With the Stars, alongside Lisa Canning as his cohost in season 1. Canning was later replaced by Samantha Harris for eight seasons starting from season 2. In season 10, Brooke Burke, the winner of season 7, took over as cohost until season 18. Erin Andrews, who competed in season 10, then took over as cohost. Andrews and Bergeron continued to host together until season 29, when they were ultimately replaced by Tyra Banks.

ABC and BBC expressed their gratitude to the departing host for his contribution in making the show successful. They also announced that Erin will not be returning and acknowledged her humor and popularity among fans. Alfonso Ribeiro was then announced as a cohost for the upcoming season 31.

The ABC reality series introduces a new celebrity-professional dancer partnership each season. Season 12 brought another addition to the show by introducing a troupe of professional dancers. These dancers performed between numbers but were not paired with celebrities. Notably, Peta Murgatroyd, Brandon Armstrong, Lindsay Arnold, Alan Bersten, Sharna Burgess, Witney Carson, Artem Chigvintsev, Sasha Farber, Jenna Johnson, Keo Motsepe, Gleb Savchenko, and Emma Slater all started their journey with the show as members of the troupe before transitioning to the main cast of professional dancers.

Additionally, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman have been serving as judges since the show's inception. Julianne Hough briefly joined the panel for seasons 19-21 and returned again for seasons 23 and 24. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Goodman was unable to travel to L.A. during season 29, and former pro dancer Derek Hough took his place as the third judge.

Throughout the years, numerous former contestants and members of the dance community have appeared as guest hosts for an episode. This includes Paula Abdul, Nick Carter, Cher, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Jessie J, Rashad Jennings, Baz Luhrmann, Ricky Martin, Idina Menzel, Abby Lee Miller, Mandy Moore, and Olivia Newton-John.

Scroll through the gallery below to discover the current whereabouts of every winner from the reality show, including the star-studded spinoff, Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, which premiered in 2018. Judged by Val Chmerkovskiy and Adam Rippon, the competition featured a talented cast of celebrity kids such as Tripp Palin, Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, and Mackenzie Ziegler. Despite its initial success, the show unfortunately got canceled after just one season.

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'Dancing With the Stars' Winners Through the Years: Where Are They Now?

The U.S. version of the U.K. series Strictly Come Dancing was launched by ABC in June 2005. Tom Bergeron was the initial host of Dancing With the Stars, with Lisa Canning as his cohost for season 1. Samantha Harris then took over from Canning in season 2 and held the position for eight seasons. From season 10, Brooke Burke, the winner of season 7, became the cohost until season 18. Erin Andrews, who competed in season 10, assumed the cohost role from that point onward.

Andrews and Bergeron co-hosted until season 29, when they were substituted by Tyra Banks. ABC and BBC issued a statement expressing their appreciation for Andrews' wit and charm that contributed to the show's success. They also mentioned that Erin will not be returning and acknowledged her impact on the ballroom, as fans have been supporting her since she participated as a contestant in 2010, and her unique sense of humor has become a defining characteristic of the show.

Alfonso Ribeiro was announced as a cohost for the upcoming season 31, where a celebrity is teamed up with a professional dancer. Season 12 of the ABC reality series introduced the troupe, which comprised professional dancers performing between numbers but not partnered with celebrities.

Peta Murgatroyd, Brandon Armstrong, Lindsay Arnold, Alan Bersten, Sharna Burgess, Witney Carson, Artem Chigvintsev, Sasha Farber, Jenna Johnson, Keo Motsepe, Gleb Savchenko, and Emma Slater all originate from the troupe before transitioning to the main cast of professional dancers.

Moreover, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman have consistently served as judges since the show's inception. Julianne Hough, a former pro dancer, briefly joined the panel for seasons 19-21 and returned for seasons 23 and 24. In season 29, Len Goodman was temporarily replaced due to travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Former pro dancer Derek Hough filled in as the third judge.

Several notable individuals from the dance community, as well as former contestants, have made appearances as guest hosts on various episodes throughout the years. These include Paula Abdul, Nick Carter, Cher, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Jessie J, Rashad Jennings, Baz Luhrmann, Ricky Martin, Idina Menzel, Abby Lee Miller, Mandy Moore, and Olivia Newton-John.

In 2018, the popular show launched a spinoff called Dancing with the Stars: Juniors. Val Chmerkovskiy and Adam Rippon served as judges, and the cast consisted of celebrity children such as Tripp Palin, Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, and Mackenzie Ziegler. Unfortunately, the show was canceled after just one season.

Scroll through the gallery below to see every star who has won the reality show and where they are today:

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Kelly Monaco

Monaco clinched first place in season 1 alongside her professional partner, Alec Mazo. Subsequently, she showcased her talents in the captivating burlesque performance titled Peepshow. In addition to her alluring acts, Monaco consistently appeared on General Hospital and made a triumphant return to Dancing With the Stars for the highly-anticipated all-stars season of season 15. In this exhilarating competition, she achieved a commendable third-place finish.

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Drew Lachey

Months after winning season 2, the singer from 98 Degrees took on the role of hosting the 2006 Miss USA pageant. In 2010, he and his wife Lea Dellecave joyfully welcomed their second child, Hudson. Although Lachey participated in the all-stars season of season 15, he unfortunately was eliminated in third place. Lastly, in 2019, he made an appearance on the eleventh season of American Ninja Warrior but unfortunately didn't make it past the second obstacle.

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Emmitt Smith

The ex-NFL player joined ESPN as a studio analyst one year after triumphing in Dancing With the Stars in 2006. He also participated in season 15, finishing in fourth place. In 2010, he and his wife Patricia Southall celebrated the arrival of their third child, Elijah.

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Apolo Ohno

One year after his victory on Dancing With the Stars, the Olympian achieved his first overall World Championship title in 2008. He made a comeback in season 15 of Dancing With the Stars, finishing in fifth place. In 2013, the speed skater hosted Minute to Win It on Game Show Network. Additionally, he served as a commentator for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi and the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang.

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Hélio Castroneves

In 2007, the race car driver emerged as the victor, and two years later, he secured his third Indianapolis 500 triumph. Coinciding with this achievement, he joyfully celebrated the arrival of his firstborn, a daughter named Mikaella, alongside his wife Adriana Henao. Fueling his competitive spirit, he returned for the all-stars season; however, his journey ended prematurely in the third week as he faced elimination.

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Kristi Yamaguchi

Just days after claiming victory in the mirrorball competition, the talented figure skater was honored with the esteemed 2008 Sonja Henie Award by the Professional Skaters Association. In 2010, she joined the NBC Olympics team as a daily skating broadcast analyst and further expanded her role as a special correspondent during the 2010 Winter Olympics for the Today show. Adding to her impressive accomplishments, she also ventured into the realm of publishing in 2011 by releasing a delightful children's book titled "Dream Big, Little Pig!"

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Brooke Burke

After securing the victory in season 7, Burke went on to cohost seasons 10 through 17, until Andrews eventually assumed the role. Throughout the years, she held numerous hosting positions, including four years as host of the Miss America pageants. Her involvement extended beyond television when she competed on The New Celebrity Apprentice in 2017. In addition to her work in the industry, Burke authored a book in 2011 titled The Naked Mom: A Modern Mom's Fearless Revelations, Savvy Advice, and Soulful Reflections. It was during this same year that she celebrated her marriage to David Charvet, following a five-year courtship. Unfortunately, in 2018, they made the decision to separate. Alongside her eventful personal life, the longstanding host encountered a medical challenge in 2012 and underwent surgery for thyroid cancer.

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Shawn Johnson

Two years after her victory in 2009, the gymnast became a member of the 2011 USA Women's World Championships Team and later joined the 2011 Pan American Games Team. During the Pan American Games, she achieved a gold medal in the team competition and a silver medal on the uneven bars. In June 2012, she made the decision to retire from gymnastics. Shortly after, she participated in the All-Stars season and secured second place. Additionally, she has appeared on various television shows and authored three books. In 2016, she tied the knot with athlete Andrew East, and the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Drew, in October 2019. They celebrated another addition to the family in July 2021 with the birth of their son, Jett. In July 2023, Johnson shared the exciting news that she is expecting her third child with East.

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Donny Osmond

After emerging victorious in season 9 back in 2009, Osmond made numerous appearances on the show as both a guest performer and a guest judge. He went on to entertain audiences in Las Vegas for an impressive span of 11 years, ultimately concluding his residency in 2019. In 2015, he delighted fans by releasing his album, The Soundtrack of My Life, followed by a remarkable second-place finish on season 1 of The Masked Singer in 2019.

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Nicole Scherzinger

Following her victory in 2010, the former Pussycat Dolls singer embarked on a successful television career. In 2011, she joined The X Factor as a judge and in 2015, she cohosted Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris. Adding to her achievements, she released her second solo album in 2014. Demonstrating her versatility, she portrayed the role of Penny in the 2017 film Dirty Dancing. In April 2019, Scherzinger joined Australia's Got Talent as a judge for its ninth season. Additionally, she has showcased her talent as a judge on The Masked Singer since its debut in 2019.

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Jennifer Grey

Following her victory in 2010, the Dirty Dancing star persisted in pursuing her acting career. Notably, she showcased her talent in Amazon's acclaimed television series, Red Oaks, for a remarkable span of four years. Demonstrating her versatility, she also graced the small screen with a captivating three-episode appearance on Grey's Anatomy in 2019, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. Moreover, her talents extended to a thrilling guest appearance on the popular show, The Conners, in 2020, further solidifying her position as a prominent figure in the industry.

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Hines Ward

In addition to his appearance on Dancing, he played a role as a member of the Gotham Rogues football team in the film The Dark Knight Rises released in 2012. Furthermore, he made an appearance as a walker in season 3 of The Walking Dead. Later in 2016, he became a studio analyst at CNN.

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J.R. Martinez

After triumphing with the mirrorball trophy in 2011, the ex-U.S. Army soldier ventured into the world of SAF3 and made a memorable cameo on the season 6 finale of Army Wives. Moreover, in 2013, the accomplished All My Children alumnus kickstarted his very own radio show.

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Donald Driver

After achieving victory in the mirrorball competition in May 2012, Driver made the official decision to retire from the NFL in January 2013. The news of his retirement was widely announced. Notably, in recognition of his exceptional career, Driver was honored with induction into the prestigious Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 2017.

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Melissa Rycroft

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Kellie Pickler

After her victory in 2013, Pickler released her fourth album titled "The Woman I Am". In 2015, she and her husband Kyle Jacobs appeared together in a reality show titled "Love Kellie Pickler". From 2017 to 2019, Pickler cohosted a daytime TV talk show called "Pickler & Ben" with Ben Aaron. Adding to her accomplishments, the American Idol alum has also acted in various holiday movies for the Hallmark Channel, including "The Mistletoe Secret" in 2019.

Tragically, in February 2023, Jacobs died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound at their home in Nashville, which they shared with Pickler.

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Amber Riley

Following her victory in 2013, the Glee star ventured into the fashion industry by co-launching Rileyland Fashions alongside her sister, Ashley. In 2016, she took on the lead role in the West End production of Dreamgirls. The subsequent year saw Riley collaborating with Beverley Knight and Cassidy Janson to release the album Songs from the Stage. In 2019, she took on the role of emcee for The Little Mermaid Live! event.

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Meryl Davis

The Olympian continued to skate with partner Charlie White after her 2014 win, until 2017, when she announced her retirement. In 2019, she married figure skater Fedor Andreev.

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Alfonso Ribeiro

Following his victory in 2014, the actor took over the reins from Tom Bergeron as the new host of America's Funniest Home Videos. In 2019, he embarked on a new venture by hosting "The 90s with Alfonso Ribeiro" radio show. Not only did his career flourish, but his family blossomed as well. In 2015, he and his wife joyfully welcomed their second son, Anders, and in 2019, they celebrated the arrival of their daughter, Ava.

The New York native returned to DWTS as a cohost for season 31 in 2022. 

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Rumer Willis

Willis expanded her acting career following her triumphant victory on Dancing in 2015. She took on notable roles in Empire, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and 9-1-1. Additionally, in September of the same year, she made her highly anticipated Broadway debut in Chicago. Keeping up with her versatile talents, she also captivated audiences as a contestant on the first season of The Masked Singer. In December 2022, the actress joyfully shared the news of her impending motherhood. Welcoming her first child, daughter Louetta, with boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas in April 2023, Willis eagerly embraced the next chapter of her life.

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Bindi Irwin

In 2016, Irwin, the winner of the mirrorball in 2015, released her fourth album titled Bindi and The Jungle Girls Bindi's Island Dance Party. In 2020, the conservationist tied the knot with Chandler Powell, a wakeboarder. Together, they joyfully welcomed their daughter Grace in March 2021.

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Nyle DiMarco

The winner of the 2016 contest, this model has made appearances in numerous music videos as well as on Hulu's Difficult People and ABC's Station 19. Additionally, he has successfully established The Nyle DiMarco Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting deaf children and their families.

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Laurie Hernandez

In 2020, Hernandez took the stand to testify against her former gymnastics coach, Maggie Haney, who had been suspended for abusive behavior. Despite not competing since her time on DWTS in 2016, the athlete has not officially retired and in January 2020, made an announcement about her return to training. Additionally, in 2018, Hernandez had the opportunity to cohost American Ninja Warrior Junior and also released a children's book titled She’s Got This.

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Rashad Jennings

The NFL champion announced his retirement months after his victorious performance on the show in 2017. In May 2018, he unveiled his debut book, The If in Life: A Guide to Stepping off Life's Sidelines and Unleashing Your Full Potential. Additionally, he has penned The Coin Slot Chronicles series, which tracks the adventures of Arcade, an 11-year-old on an extraordinary journey.

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Jordan Fisher

Having won the mirrorball trophy in 2017, Fisher celebrated his engagement to Ellie Woods in May 2019 and secured a prominent role in Fox's Rent: Live. Additionally, he was selected to appear in To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You during the same year. In 2020, Fisher and Woods exchanged vows, and their joy was further expanded with the arrival of their son, Riley, in 2022.

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Adam Rippon

Months after his appearance on Dancing in 2018, Rippon made the decision to retire from competitive figure skating. Following this, in 2019, he published a memoir titled Beautiful on the Outside and made an appearance in the music video for Taylor Swift's "You Need to Calm Down.”

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Bobby Bones

After securing his victory in 2018, Bones resumed his presence on The Bobby Bones Show. Taking on a more prominent role, he joined the ranks of American Idol as a devoted mentor and stepped in as guest host during Ryan Seacrest's absence due to illness. However, after four successful seasons, the radio personality bid farewell to his role on Idol in 2022.

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Hannah Brown

Having won DWTS in 2019, the former Bachelorette made the decision to permanently relocate to Los Angeles. Her relationship with model Adam Woolard became public on Valentine's Day in early 2021.

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Kaitlyn Bristowe

Six months after winning alongside partner Artem Chigvintsev, Bristowe got engaged to boyfriend Jason Tartick.

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Iman Shumpert

The NBA star made history in the 30th season by becoming the first-ever athlete to secure victory in the competition series. Adding to the remarkable achievement, his partner, Daniella Karagach, also celebrated her first win with the prestigious mirrorball trophy in 2021.

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Charli D'Amelio

In 2022, the DWTS professional, Mark Ballas, and the social media personality emerged as the champions of season 31. This marked Ballas' return to the show following a five-year break. Additionally, in March 2023, D'Amelio teamed up with football commentator Nate Burleson to cohost the 36th Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.