Dancing with the Stars returns! The Season 34 cast list dropped on Wednesday, September 3, ushering in another year for the beloved competition show. DWTS fans are buzzing after the cast reveal, and conversations about potential front-runners are already taking place. In honor of the show’s return, let’s take a look back at DWTS history.
Our picks for Dancing With the Stars’ Best Performances
The upcoming season has big shoes to fill given how many incredible performances fans have witnessed in recent years. A great DWTS performance is about more than getting the steps right. The best performances are creative. In other words, they tell a story from start to finish. Chemistry between partners is also a must. It’s what separates a good performance from a great one. Over the years, we’ve seen many jaw-dropping numbers.
Here are a few performances we’re still thinking about ahead of Season 34.
Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach’s Us-inspired contemporary – Season 30
A performance so innovative it earned pro Daniella Karagach an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming. Iman Shumpert’s height presented a challenge for Daniella, who stands over a foot shorter than the basketball pro. She took the challenge head-on, finding creative ways to have fun with the height difference. Her best work was on display during Halloween week when she and Iman blew the judges away with their performance to Creep, inspired by the Jordan Peele movie Us. They received a perfect score for the outstanding routine.
Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson’s Jazz number – Season 19
Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson’s jazz performance to It’s Not Unusual was storytelling at its finest. Witney choreographed a fun, upbeat number that perfectly captured the innocence of new love, and Alfonso got every step just right. It’s no surprise they took home the Mirrorball trophy in the finale.
Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas crush contemporary – Season 31
Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas’ contemporary number captured an issue relatable to many viewers. During rehearsals, Charli spoke openly about struggling with anxiety, especially after becoming a public figure. The pair chose to incorporate Charli’s struggle into the routine, which made for an impactful and emotional performance. Mark, dressed in all black, symbolized Charli’s anxiety. Throughout the routine, she tried to break free from Mark, but he kept catching up to her. The routine ends with Charli finally escaping Mark’s grasp, which symbolized her overcoming anxiety.
Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold’s show-stopping contemporary – Season 25
Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold’s contemporary performance in Week 4 stood out among a sea of strong performances for the pair. They consistently received high scores throughout the season, but their Take Me Home performance is the one fans still reference. The dance was dedicated to Jordan’s grandparents, and the Actor appeared emotional throughout the routine, adding a layer of depth to the already impressive number.
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough’s Viennese Waltz – Season 21
Derek Hough is one of the best choreographer’s the show has ever employed, and he found himself a worthy muse in partner Bindi Irwin. The pair crushed the competition. In fact, I had to refrain from including multiple of their performances in this list. But in the end, I decided their Viennese Waltz was the ultimate winner. The chemistry was incredible, and the choreo was top-notch. They received a perfect score from the judges.
Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd Inspiring Freestyle – Season 22
In Week 10, Nyle DiMarco and his partner, Peta Murgatroyd, performed a beautiful contemporary dance to the Simon & Garfunkel song The Sound of Silence. The number symbolized Nyle’s experience as a member of the deaf community. Fans were impressed with the performance, especially since Peta has no formal training in the contemporary style. The duo received 10s across the board from the judges. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba praised the performance, calling it one of the best dances she’s seen in her time on the show. Nyle and Peta went on to win the Mirrorball trophy in the Season 22 finale.
Dancing with the Stars is available to stream on Disney+.
TELL US – DO YOU AGREE WITH OUR PICKS? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DWTS PERFORMANCE?
