Top 20 Best Dancing With the Stars Professional Dancers

Born in the Soviet Union, Chigvintsev moved to the United States in 2003, when he was 21 years old. He immediately launched into a dancing career, competing on the very first season of “So You Think You Can Dance” and eventually winning series 8 of BBC One’s “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2010. He made his “Stars” premiere in 2014, appearing as a member of the Dance Troupe on the eighteenth season. He was paired with Lea Thompson in the nineteenth and placed sixth, which is the highest placement he has achieved - he later placed sixth again in season 24 with former figure skater Nancy Kerrigan. However, his average rating placed slightly lower - 32.6 compared to Thompson’s 34.1.

Serving as a five-time U.S. National Latin Champion, Johnson is also a prior “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant, making it to the top eight on season 10. She later danced as part of the “Stars” troupe between seasons 18 and 22 before making her professional partner debut on 23 with Jake T. Austin. They didn’t go far. However, her next year fared far better, as she won the Mirror Ball Trophy with former figure skater Adam Rippon with an average score of 27.6. Talk about a comeback! The following year she placed fifth with Joe Amabile, and in season 28 she placed eighth with Karamo Brown. Her “Stars” career is early yet, but she’s already made one heck of an impression.

Hailing from South Africa, Keo Motsepe made “Dancing with the Stars” history in 2014 by becoming the first professional black dancer in the show’s history. He was teamed with Olympic athlete Lolo Jones, but they were eliminated in the very first week with a cumulative score of 22. Motsepe struggled through his early “Stars” career. He was the first eliminated in three of his first six appearances, and in two others he placed 11th and 12th. However, he found his groove in season 26, placing fourth with Jennie Finch Daigle. The following year he placed a fantastic third with Evanna Lynch, complete with four perfect dances.

This Latin and ballroom dancer from Minnesota also competed on the tenth season of “So You Think You Can Dance” alongside Jenna Johnson, although he only made it to the top twelve. He danced in the “Stars” troupe for five seasons before making his partner debut with Debbie Gibson in season 25. They placed 12th. It would be Bersten’s worst placement by far. In the three following seasons, he placed no lower than fourth. He placed there with both Mirai Nagasu and Alexis Ren before taking home the Mirror Ball Trophy with Hannah Brown in season 28. Their final performance, a Freestyle to “Girl on Fire” and “Hollaback Girl,” earned a perfect 30 from the judges.

Born in Moscow, Farber moved with his family to Australia when he was two years old and represented the country at various ceremonies and competitions, including the World Latin Championships and the 2000 Sydney Olympics’ closing ceremony. He made his partner debut in season 17 with Snooki, placing eighth with an average score of 25. Farber has performed consistently well throughout his “Stars” career, placing fifth or higher in four of his seven appearances. These include two third-place finishes - one with Tonya Harding and another with Ally Brooke, with whom he landed an average score of 26.6 and five perfect dances.

There is quite a little family on “Dancing with the Stars,” as Slater is married to Sasha Farber, and her twin sister works as both a stylist and costume designer on the show. Following a career in theater and appearing in the 2008 film adaptation of “Mamma Mia!,” Slater made her professional debut in season 17 with Bill Engvall. They placed fourth with an average score of 22.5. It would be her best performance until season 24, when she proved victorious with football player Rashad Jennings. The two earned their first 10 in week four and scored two perfect dances. They also earned the highest average of Slater’s career with 27.

Another “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant and great friend of Emma Slater, Arnold is an absolute powerhouse on “Dancing with the Stars.” She made her debut back in season 16, placing eighth with Victor Ortiz. It would be her lowest placement in nine seasons (although she placed eighth again with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Arnold has placed fourth or better in five of her nine seasons, including two third place finishes, one second, and one first. She won the Mirror Ball with actor Jordan Fisher in season 25, complete with a stellar average score of 27.9 and nine perfectly-scored dances (including four in the finale). It was a well-deserved win indeed.

Alongside best friend Lindsay Arnold (who served as Carson’s matron of honor at her wedding), Carson is one of the all-time great “Dancing with the Stars” partners. She took home the Mirror Ball in her second season on the show, dancing with Alfonso Ribeiro and earning five perfect scores. She was also nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography for her work. Carson has also earned two fourth place finishes, one third with Frankie Muniz, and two seconds with both Milo Manheim and Kel Mitchell - both of which were back to back placements in seasons 27 and 28. Too bad about that Chris Kattan year, though...

This Yugoslavian dancer is one of the old school partners, making his first appearance all the way back in season 2 with Stacy Keibler. The duo placed third with an average score of 27.7. He would continue to perform well, placing fourth with Marissa Jaret Winokur in season 6 and third again with Melissa Rycroft in season 8. Following a string of disappointing outcomes, Dovolani finally touched the Mirror Ball Trophy in season 15, dancing again with Rycroft in an All-Stars season. The two earned an excellent average score of 28 and five perfect dances, eeking out both Kelly Monaco & Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough. Dovolani officially retired from “Stars” in February 2018, at the age 44.

This Texan was born into a family of dancers, including Latin champion father Corky and the so-called Queen of Latin, Shirley Ballas. Needless to say, expectations were high. Needless to say again, Ballas met them all and then some. He took home the Mirror Ball in his second season, having been partnered with Kristi Yamaguchi. Following an eleventh place finish with Kim Kardashian, Ballas won yet again with Shawn Johnson. His achievements also include three third place finishes and four second. He has also set and broken numerous records, including highest premiere score (27 with Yamaguchi), the most second place finishes, and the most appearances in the finals, having made it on ten separate occasions.

Another child to professional dancers, Trebunskaya was born in Russia, won her first dancing competition at age seven, and moved to the United States at 17. She made her “Stars” debut in season two, and what a debut it was. She placed second with football player Jerry Rice, eventually losing to Drew Lachey & Cheryl Burke. She would again place second in season ten with Evan Lysacek, earning two perfect scores. It would be her last great season, as she later floundered with the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Jack Wagner, and Gary Busey. The latter would prove to be her final appearance on “Dancing With the Stars.”

Along with Sasha Farber, Sharna Burgess also represented her native Australia at the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Eleven years later, she appeared as a troupe dancer on “Stars” and made her partner debut in season 16 with Andy Dick. They placed a decent seventh. Burgess tasted but never quite attained victory throughout much of her “Stars” career, having placed second in three seasons. Her peak came in seasons 26 and 27 - in the former, she placed second with Josh Norman. In the latter, she finally won the Mirror Ball Trophy with radio host Bobby Bones (despite averaging just 22.8 and earning 7s up to the semifinals).

Born in New Zealand but raised in Australia, Peta Murgatroyd has been dancing since she was four years old. She studied ballet extensively until an ankle injury forced her to retire at 16. She ventured into Latin dancing and landed on “Stars” in season 13, being paired with Metta World Peace. They did not do well, scoring a cumulative 14 and being the first team eliminated. However, Murgatroyd enjoyed a stellar turnaround and placed first the next year with Donald Driver, making her the second pro to win after placing last on the previous season. It wasn’t the only time that Murgatroyd has touched the trophy, as she won again in season 22 with deaf activist Nyle DiMarco.

One of the most prolific and popular dancers in “Dancing with the Stars” history, Karina Smirnoff made her debut in season three with actor and journalist Mario Lopez. The two performed extremely well, averaging 27.6 and earning three perfect scores. However, they were runners-up to Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke. It was Smirnoff’s first of two second place finishes, as she also served as runner-up in season 17 with Corbin Bleu. Luckily, Smirnoff has tasted victory. She emerged the victor of season 13 with former soldier and motivational speaker J.R. Martinez, earning four perfect scores with their Waltz, Instant Jive, Freestyle, and Instant Samba.

Amazingly, Hough has only danced in five seasons - 4 through 8. However, she earned her place in “Dancing with the Stars” history by winning back to back Mirror Ball Trophies in seasons 4 and 5. In the former, she danced with speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno and earned an average score of 27.5. The following year she was paired with Brazilian race car driver Hélio Castroneves, averaging 27.1. For her incredible work on the show, Hough received three Emmy award nominations and one win for Outstanding Choreography. She retired from dancing after season 8 in 2009 but later re-appeared as a judge, serving full time between seasons 19 and 24 - minus season 22.

This Ukrainian dancer is a “Dancing with the Stars” legend, having made it to the final round in five separate seasons. After sixth and seventh place finishes, Chmerkovskiy placed third with Laila Ali and second with Mel B. He would again place third in season 10 with Erin Andrews and second in season 12 with Kirstie Alley. It wouldn’t be until season 18 - Chmerkovskiy’s fourteenth - that he would finally take home the Mirror Ball Trophy. He won with ice dancer Meryl Davis, and the two enjoyed an astounding average score of 28.4. This included six perfect scores, including five consecutive perfect dances in the semifinals and finals. This was their season to lose.

Many “Dancing with the Stars” records were set by Cheryl Burke. She was the first female professional to win, winning season two with Drew Lachey. The two enjoyed an average rating of 27.7. The following year, Burke became the first professional to win two seasons, taking home the trophy again with football player Emmitt Smith and averaging 26.8. And with the Smith win, Burke became the first professional to win back to back seasons. Unfortunately, she would never reclaim the glory, although she has fittingly enjoyed three third place finishes and two second. She has also competed regularly since season 2, making her one of the prominent professionals on the show.

Yet another professional dancer hailing from Down Under, Johnson competed on three seasons of “Dancing with the Stars Australia” (even winning one!) before making her way to the American version in season three. She performed well, scoring second in two of her first five appearances. She hit her stride in season 9, winning the Mirror Ball with Donny Osmond. Johnson then experienced a bit of a yo-yo effect, being the first eliminated in her follow-up season with David Hasselhoff and then winning again with Hines Ward. While she hasn’t reclaimed the trophy for a third time, she has won something else - love. Cheesiness aside, she married her season 20 partner Robert Herjavec in 2016 and now goes by Kym Herjavec.

Serving as Maksim’s younger brother and Peta Murgatroyd’s brother-in-law, Valentin made his official partner debut in season 13 with Elisabetta Canalis, despite previously dancing with his older brother on the show. The two placed a disappointing eleventh. But beginning in season 15, Chmerkovskiy entered into an incredible and historic run. Between seasons 15 and 24, he never placed below sixth. In this run, he landed four third place finishes, one second, and two firsts - in season 20 with Rumer Willis and again in season 23 with Laurie Hernandez. He also holds the record for the earliest perfect score in “Dancing with the Stars” history, earning four tens in week 3 of season 19 with Janel Parrish.

There’s just no question - Derek Hough is the all time greatest “Dancing with the Stars” professional. In his seventeen seasons, he has never once placed below sixth - and even then, it was only on two occasions! He has earned one third place finish, two seconds, and a record-holding six victories. The celebrities he has won with are Brooke Burke, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Grey, Kellie Pickler, Amber Riley, and Bindi Irwin. He has also earned nine Emmy nominations and two wins for Outstanding Choreography. His legacy was cemented in season 29 by replacing Len Goodman on the judges’ panel, as Goodman couldn’t travel to the US owing to the coronavirus pandemic.