Get ready to relive the magic of the ballroom! Join us as we count down the most memorable partnerships in "Dancing with the Stars" history. From sizzling chemistry to jaw-dropping performances, these couples left an indelible mark on the show and in our hearts.
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00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today, we're counting down our picks for the greatest pairings in
00:11Dancing with the Stars history.
00:18Number 30.
00:19Chad Ochocinco and Cheryl Burke, Season 10
00:23Unlike a lot of the contestants on this list, the wide receiver and his pro partner were
00:27definitely the underdogs of their season.
00:29The judges were never in love with their moves, but the viewers were clearly feeling
00:34the steam, if only because Chad Ochocinco's abs were usually on display.
00:50Ochocinco and Cheryl Burke ultimately came in fourth on Season 10, but not before demonstrating
00:55their ability to connect on stage.
00:57That connection clearly translated offstage.
01:00So many Dancing with the Stars duos are dogged by dating rumors, but this one actually turned
01:04into something real once the season ended.
01:07Burke and Ochocinco did date briefly once the season was over.
01:20Number 29.
01:21Daniel Durant and Brit Stewart, Season 31
01:25This was a partnership that captured our hearts on and off the season.
01:29Viewers were charmed by Daniel Durant, a deaf actor who starred in the 2021 film Coda, and
01:33his partner, pro-Brit Stewart.
01:46Their most iconic moment was easily their jazz routine to Depeche Mode's Enjoy the Silence.
01:51Midway through the broadcast, the sound dropped out as the two continued dancing, their way
01:56of demonstrating Durant's experience of dancing without hearing the music.
02:10But they turned in plenty of memorable performances before ending their run in fifth place.
02:14It didn't end their partnership, though.
02:16Durant and Stewart dated and became engaged after the show.
02:29Number 28.
02:30Mel B and Maxim Shmirkovsky, Season 5
02:33The hotly contested final of the fifth season ended in a loss for former Spice Girl Mel
02:38B and her partner Max, but talk to any fan and you might hear the word robbed.
02:42Shmirkovsky would agree with them.
02:44Their run on the season was stellar.
02:57Not only that, but they seemed to get stronger week to week.
03:00Everyone was rooting for them, even the judges.
03:15Consistently scoring high, the two of them were not just great dancers together, they
03:19always looked like they were genuinely having fun.
03:21Some fans still consider her one of the best celebs the show has ever seen.
03:37Number 27.
03:38Christy Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas, Season 6
03:41As an Olympic-level figure skater, Christy Yamaguchi is probably one of the most prepared
03:45celebrities ever to hit the Dancing with the Stars dance floor.
03:58The gold medalist took to the demanding physical and emotional toll of a dance competition
04:02like a fish to water.
04:03Given her background, it's not hard to imagine why Yamaguchi's record was so consistent.
04:15With partner Mark Ballas, the two sailed through the competition with ease.
04:19At least, they made it look easy.
04:21After turning in one of the series' steadiest track records, they were announced Season
04:256's winners.
04:36Number 26.
04:37Kelly Monaco and Val Shmirkovsky, Season 15
04:41She was the very first Mirabal Trophy winner.
04:44He was a recent addition, the younger brother of longtime pro Max.
04:48When Kelly Monaco and Valentin Shmirkovsky were paired up for the show's All-Stars season,
04:52it was like watching magic.
05:03Monaco's competitiveness was a perfect match for Val's dedication.
05:07They openly called their shot, making sure their competitors knew they came to win.
05:19Monaco's soap opera experience came in handy for the pair's dramatic dances, and the passion
05:24was always there.
05:25Of course, it didn't hurt that their flirting during rehearsals was out of control.
05:39Number 25.
05:40Drew Lachey and Sheryl Burke, Season 2
05:4398 Degrees member Drew Lachey and his pro partner Sheryl Burke performed one of the
05:47show's rowdiest and raunchiest numbers in Season 2.
05:50Their finale night freestyle to Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy is an unforgettable piece of
05:55Dancing with the Stars history.
06:07Up to that point, though, they'd been consistent favorites.
06:10They'd nailed the Paso Doble to Michael Jackson's Thriller, and their tango netted them a perfect
06:15score.
06:25While third-place finishers Stacey Keebler and Tony Dovolani had a great track record,
06:29there was just something irresistible about Drew and Sheryl.
06:32Their trophy was more than deserved.
06:45Number 24.
06:46Elio Castro Neves and Julianne Hough, Season 5
06:50Season 5 was a huge showdown for the trophy.
06:53Judges were split, as Mel B and Max Schmierkowski had scored higher with the judges right up
06:57into the finale.
07:08Racing champion Elio Castro Neves and his professional partner Julianne Hough would
07:12eventually emerge as Season 5's winners, and their rapport is a huge reason why fans loved
07:18watching the two connect on the floor.
07:31There was even talk that the two were closer than some of the other professional celebrity
07:35pairings.
07:36You know the chemistry's hot when people start wondering if a Dancing with the Stars pair
07:39is dating offstage.
07:51Number 23.
07:52Amber Riley and Derek Hough, Season 17
07:55Their cha-cha-cha in the season premiere made them look like the pair to beat, but there
07:59was a time fans may have counted the Glee star out altogether.
08:13Her injured knee made certain weeks harder than others, but she gave it her all every
08:18time.
08:19Not even that could contain these two.
08:20Hough may have had to tone down some of the choreography, but you couldn't tell.
08:33Their Week 7 Paso Doble was a triumph.
08:35Their Cher Rumba was hot, and their laughter was infectious.
08:39From start to finish, they were a favorite to win, and they made good on that promise
08:43in the finale.
08:55Number 22.
08:56Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke, Season 8
08:59Though they finished in second place against gymnast Shawn Johnson and professional Mark
09:03Ballas, the French actor and his two-time Mirabal winning partner were early frontrunners.
09:08They started Season 8 strong and finished even stronger.
09:11Marini and Burke burned up the dance floor with their tango in Week 4, which earned the
09:15judges' first perfect score of the season.
09:28Their Paso Doble the week after was just as well received.
09:43Fans still talk about their steamy performances to this day.
09:47As a result of their harmony on the dance floor, the two dodged rumors of a behind-the-scenes
09:51affair.
09:52It just seems like one of those pairings that was a natural fit from premiere night.
10:07Number 21.
10:08Emmett Smith and Cheryl Burke, Season 3
10:11Anyone who was watching Dancing with the Stars in its early days probably knows that the
10:15former running back wasn't the lightest on his feet in Season 3.
10:18When he won, there were some naysayers, such as opponent Mario Lopez, who insisted the
10:23final wasn't based on dancing skill.
10:37But Smith had three not-so-secret weapons.
10:40His natural charisma was undeniable, his dedication was unmatched, and his chemistry with partner
10:45Cheryl Burke was off the charts.
10:52As judge Bruno Tonioli put it, Smith made everyone want to get up and dance.
10:57It was exactly that element of fun that made the pair unbeatable in the finale.
11:11Number 20.
11:12Kelly Pickler and Derek Hough, Season 16
11:15A low score from at least one judge is pretty common for all Dancing with the Stars couples,
11:20but not for country music star Kelly Pickler and her accomplished partner Derek Hough.
11:36During the show's 16th season, the duo never received a mark below a 7, and moved their
11:42week with increasingly electric performances.
11:55Aside from showcasing their dance skills with amazing routines, who could forget that finale
12:00freestyle?
12:01Kelly and Derek seemed to have genuine fun along the way.
12:04A real friendship and trust emerged, which was translated on the dance floor.
12:09The couple ended up earning both the Miraball trophy and cementing their status as one
12:14of the show's most memorable champions.
12:26Number 19.
12:27James Maslow and Peeta Murgatroyd, Season 18
12:31Big Time Rush star James Maslow teamed up with Peeta Murgatroyd for Season 18.
12:36The energy between them was so magnetic, some people wondered if there was something
12:40deeper than a friendship blooming.
12:52The duo maintained they were just friends, but they did give viewers a much-anticipated
12:57kiss during a steamy tango.
12:59Needless to say, James and Peeta became fan favorites who earned Season 18's first perfect
13:04score.
13:15They even got a spot in the finals, only to finish in fourth place.
13:19However, the pair was overwhelmingly picked by Twitter to perform an encore of their high-energy
13:24freestyle.
13:25Thus, they capped off their stellar journey with one last reminder of how great a team
13:30they are.
13:38Number 18.
13:39Apollo Anton Ono and Julianne Hough, Season 4
13:43Like her brother Derek, Julianne Hough often brings out the best in her celebrity partners.
13:49Way back in Season 4, she was paired with Olympic speed skater Apollo Anton Ono.
14:03Together the two were quite the force to be reckoned with.
14:06Routinely delivering impressive footwork and improving from week to week, the pair deservingly
14:11earned the first perfect score of the season with a crowd-pleasing samba.
14:15Those weren't the only 10s the duo would receive throughout the competition, as they pretty
14:19much dominated Season 4.
14:28To no surprise, the power couple walked away with the trophy after delivering an iconic
14:32hip-hop freestyle, among other routines.
14:35They remain one of the best partnerships in Dancing with the Stars history, even all these
14:40years later.
14:52Number 17.
14:54Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff, Season 17
14:58Season 17 saw former Wildcat Corbin Bleu take to the dance floor with Karina Smirnoff.
15:03Disney Channel fans were well aware of the actor's dancing skills, but he still managed
15:08to wow viewers with moves we hadn't seen on High School Musical.
15:21As if technique and skill weren't enough to make him and Karina a memorable pair, their
15:25dynamic as a team was heartwarming to watch.
15:28She described him as, quote, a bubble of joy, and indeed, the two could often be found laughing
15:34in rehearsals while still putting in the work.
15:47The pair just missed out on the mirror ball as their season's runners-up, but they should
15:52certainly be proud of the energy and joy they brought to the ballroom.
16:09Number 16.
16:11Riker Lynch and Alison Holker, Season 20
16:14The competition seemed to be fiercer than ever in Season 20, largely due to the star
16:19power brought to the dance floor by Riker and Alison.
16:22Delivering a versatile range of routines that had viewers cheering, crying, or simply watching
16:27in awe, Riker and Alison proved that, together, they're masterful performers and storytellers.
16:43The couple essentially breezed through the competition and put up quite the fight in
16:47the finale.
16:48They nailed a salsa-quick-step fusion dance and received a perfect score, even though
16:52the routine was put together in just one day.
17:05Not to mention their fun-filled freestyle, which is guaranteed to make anyone smile.
17:09The fan favorites finished in second place, which is beyond respectable.
17:22Number 15.
17:23Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough, Season 10
17:27Given her status as a pussycat doll, Nicole Scherzinger was well-equipped to wow us on
17:32DWTS.
17:33With her equally rhythmic pro, Derek Hough, she lit up the ballroom with consistent fierceness,
17:39skill, and pure entertainment value.
17:53Frontrunners from the beginning, the dancing seemed to come easy to this pair, and we were
17:57hooked on their every performance.
18:00But beyond that, the couple had undeniable chemistry as teammates and friends.
18:15They made sure to have a good time along the way, making their performances that much more
18:20captivating, seemingly effortless, and memorable.
18:24Following a series of captivating finale week routines, including a gorgeous Argentine tango,
18:30they were understandably crowned the winners of Season 10.
18:40Number 14.
18:41Alfonso Ribeiro and Whitney Carson, Season 19
18:45It's impossible not to smile while watching Alfonso Ribeiro dance.
18:57The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air fans knew he had the moves, but we could've never imagined
19:02just how electrifying the TV personality could be in the ballroom.
19:07Partnered with Whitney Carson on Season 19, the complimentary pair quickly became fan
19:11favorites, and proved week-to-week that they were gunning for the mirror ball.
19:24After producing consistently high-scoring performances, the exuberant duo inevitably
19:29won the competition.
19:30We'll never forget their modern Paso Doble trio routine, show-stopping freestyle, and,
19:36of course, the moment they whipped out the legendary Carlton dance.
19:51Number 13.
19:52Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas, Season 5
19:55Anyone who grew up with the Cheetah Girls had high expectations for Sabrina Bryan when
19:59she competed on Dancing with the Stars.
20:01We never doubted that she still had her Cheetahliciousness, which was showcased in every single routine
20:07she performed with teammate Mark Ballas.
20:20The pair received regular praise from all three judges, making their Week 6 elimination
20:25the ultimate shocker.
20:37To say they were robbed would be an understatement.
20:40Not only were they phenomenal from a technical standpoint, they also always brought the fire
20:45and the fun to the floor.
20:47And they did all that while cultivating a beautiful bond behind the scenes.
20:51Their Week 4 Paso Doble?
20:53We have two words, Chef's Kiss.
21:05Number 12.
21:06Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough, Season 11
21:10With seasoned pro Derek Hough by her side, the amazing Jennifer Grey was a breath of
21:14fresh air on the show.
21:16The dirty-dancing legend came out swinging at the beginning of Season 11, often leading
21:21the pack in terms of judges' scores.
21:34But the intensity of the competition and unfortunate injury meant it wasn't going to be a sure
21:39thing for Jennifer and Derek.
21:41Yet they persevered, continuing to put in tremendous effort every week to deliver a
21:46slew of top-notch dances.
21:58They wound up winning their season, an amazing feat considering the challenges they faced.
22:03Even more commendable than the win was the kindness and love between the two as they
22:07navigated the whirlwind experience together.
22:21Number 11.
22:22Milo Manheim and Whitney Carson, Season 27
22:26Actor Milo Manheim was just 17 when appearing with pro Whitney Carson on Season 27, but
22:31his youth was certainly an advantage, as the teen exuded nothing but high energy and joy
22:37each week.
22:49Seemingly taking on an older sister role, Whitney did a great job guiding the youngster.
22:53Together, they delivered the technique, quality, and star power needed to stick around in the
22:58competition.
23:10The couple's impeccably matched energy, exciting dynamic, and high-scoring routines earned
23:16them second place and a whole bunch of fans.
23:19We'll always remember the props, water, and lifts included in one of the show's most theatrical
23:24freestyles, and that's just one of their many noteworthy routines.
23:40Number 10.
23:41Normani and Val Shmierkowski, Season 24
23:44Multi-talented artist Normani danced with Val Shmierkowski during Season 24.
23:49It's no secret that a black woman was something of a rarity in the ballroom before Normani,
23:54something Val ultimately felt important to address.
24:06Though the dynamic duo performed routines entertaining and skillful enough to reach
24:10the finals, they ultimately finished in third place.
24:25It may have been due to a freestyle that Val later called a poor strategic choice, yet
24:29even though they didn't win, the pair was all things refreshing, hardworking, and creative
24:34throughout their run on the show.
24:36The partners expressed they had rewarding experiences together, and viewers were treated
24:40to glimpses of their heartwarming friendship in the rehearsal studio and through their
24:44stunning performances.
24:57Number 9.
24:58Niall DeMarco and Peter Murgatroyd, Season 22
25:02Activist, model, and actor Niall DeMarco took the ballroom by storm with his perfectly matched
25:07teammate Peter Murgatroyd.
25:09Regularly bringing out the best in each other, the couple raked in lots of nines and tens,
25:14and never stopped finding ways to improve.
25:26It was easy to fall in love with Niall upon his Dancing with the Stars introduction, but
25:30him and Peter working together as a team was amazing to watch.
25:34They wowed us with a gorgeous foxtrot, a killer Argentine tango, and perhaps most notably
25:40a breathtaking freestyle that dropped jaws across the nation.
25:54Carrie Ann Inaba dubbed their routine the best she had ever seen on the show, and we
25:58see why.
26:00Niall and Peter deservingly snagged the mirror ball, making DeMarco the series' first deaf
26:05champion.
26:18Number 8.
26:19Laurie Hernandez and Val Shmierkowski, Season 23
26:23Following in the footsteps of other Olympic gymnasts like Shawn Johnson, Laurie Hernandez
26:27competed on Dancing with the Stars alongside Val.
26:30The teen sensation was no stranger to the importance of technique, but she and Val gave
26:35us much more than impressive skill.
26:48The partners developed a genuine bond during their time together, leaving room for some
26:52lighthearted goofiness while remaining serious and competitive.
26:56He was a cherished teacher for her, and she was a hardworking delight for the professional
27:01dancer.
27:09With solid dance skills and friendship serving as the foundation of their partnership, Laurie
27:14and Val left Season 23 as widely celebrated champions.
27:18Even more impressive was the fact that she became the youngest victor the series had
27:22seen.
27:33Number 7.
27:34Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas, Season 25
27:38Season 25 saw violinist Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas join forces, and they quickly
27:43emerged as a quirky and creative threat to take the mirror ball.
27:53Many voters across the nation were pulling for the mesmerizing duo to win, but they narrowly
27:58missed out on becoming champions when they were announced as the second-place finishers.
28:07Nevertheless, we'll always remember their fantastic cha-cha-cha tango fusion dance that
28:17even had the often critical Len Goodman singing their praises.
28:21The pair walked away with plenty of perfectly scored routines, an inspiring friendship,
28:26and tons of adoring fans who were grateful to watch such an entertaining journey.
28:40Number 6.
28:41Rumer Willis and Val Shmierkowski, Season 20
28:45Right out of the gate, actress Rumer Willis and Val became Season 20's frontrunners after
28:49producing Week 1's highest-scoring dance with their Foxtrot.
28:53The uber-compatible duo only got stronger from there, regularly accumulating nines and
28:58tens and only receiving one seven.
29:01Their lowest score.
29:11In the finals that they unsurprisingly made it to, they earned nothing but tens for each
29:15of their dances.
29:16That's a testament to the incredible work and bonding that took place throughout the
29:20competition.
29:31They concluded their stellar season with an intoxicating freestyle that helped earn them
29:35the trophy.
29:36They're the team that triumphed over the aforementioned pair of Riker and Allison, something only
29:41an elite power couple could do.
29:56Number 5.
29:57James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess, Season 23
30:01Race car driver James Hinchcliffe and pro Sharna Burgess might have lost to Lori and
30:05Val, but the pair ended up being one heck of a pleasant surprise.
30:09After all, we had high expectations of Lori's performance skills, but James was kind of
30:14the dark horse.
30:26What he lacked in experience, he made up for with pure dedication, effort, and a great
30:31attitude.
30:32Sharna, for her part, was constantly a reliable source of motivation and support.
30:47You could practically sense James' confidence rising with each routine, and it was a pure
30:52joy to watch.
30:53The runners-ups, finale freestyle, and fusion dances earned tens from the judges, marking
30:58the apropos end of a partnership that was pretty perfect.
31:13Number 4.
31:14Zendaya and Val Shmirkovski, Season 16
31:17It's not surprising that we're mentioning Val here once again, considering his immense
31:22skill and the amount of extremely talented stars he's danced with.
31:26Many would argue that his best partner was Zendaya, who commanded everyone's attention
31:30with every routine she executed.
31:42Though they narrowly lost the mirror ball to Kelly and Derek, we simply can't ignore
31:47the amazing routines the couple cranked out each week.
31:51Regularly appearing to glide across the floor as one, Zendaya and Val had undeniable chemistry,
31:57compatible personalities, and in-sync work ethics.
32:10Some of the Season 16 pair's most infectious dances included an energizing hip-hop number
32:16and a fierce freestyle that we still haven't gotten over.
32:30Number 3.
32:31Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold, Season 25
32:35Arguably one of the most charismatic stars to ever grace the ballroom was actor Jordan
32:39Fisher.
32:40Accomplishing what seemed impossible, he and his partner Lindsay Arnold earned a whopping
32:45nine perfect scores over the course of Season 25.
32:55With that said, it wasn't too hard to predict that the duo would wind up victorious.
33:00But pure dance floor dominance aside, Jordan and Lindsay also made each of their movements
33:05look easy, likely due to the uplifting and genuine interactions they shared in rehearsals.
33:15A freestyle and a creative fusion dance were among the ones that helped solidify their
33:25victory, and their top-tier Proud Mary semifinals jive continues to live rent-free in our minds.
33:41Number 2.
33:42Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough, Season 21
33:46Season 21 belonged to Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough.
33:49The TV personality, conservationist, and daughter of the late Steve Irwin was an absolute delight
33:55for the entirety of her time on the show.
34:06And Derek made sure to capitalize on the potential and radiance he saw in the young star.
34:11Incredibly easy to root for, Bindi and Derek were fan favorites who never failed to make
34:16viewers feel something when they danced.
34:29Raw emotion and pure genuineness were continuously on display, especially in their perfect-scoring
34:35rumba and Viennese waltz, slower styles that aren't always easy to nail.
34:40A beaming Bindi holding that mirror ball with Derek is about as wholesome and beautiful
34:44as dancing with the stars gets.
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35:16There's no denying the powerful chemistry that now-retired ice dancer Meryl Davis and
35:21Maxim Shmierkowski showcased on the dance floor during their dancing journey.
35:25Every time we thought the pair couldn't radiate more attraction and allure, they proved us
35:30wrong.
35:43Receiving mostly nines and tens throughout their phenomenal run, Meryl and Max indisputably
35:49deserve that mirror ball trophy.
35:51Thanks to an intense connection, which of course sparked dating rumors, the perfectly
35:55paired partners showed they could truly do it all.
36:09Whether it was a slow-paced rumba, a high-energy jive, a magnetic tango, or a show-stopping
36:15freestyle, they more than delivered.
36:18The competition series has produced plenty of amazing champions, but Meryl and Max will
36:23forever be hard to top.
36:38What dancing with the stars pairing do you think should have made the list?
36:42Let us know in the comments!