Honestly, it’s been over a decade, but people still bring up Candace Cameron Bure Dancing with the Stars like it happened yesterday. Maybe it’s the nostalgia for the 90s. Or maybe it’s because she was one of the most polarizing contestants to ever step onto that ballroom floor.
Back in 2014, when Season 18 kicked off, nobody knew what to expect from "D.J. Tanner." She wasn't just a child star looking for a comeback; she was a mom of three with very specific boundaries. That's where the drama started. Most people remember the dancing, sure, but the real story was the constant tug-of-war between Hollywood's "sexy" expectations and Candace’s personal convictions.
She wasn't just there to win a trophy. She was there to prove she could stay "clean" in a show known for its revealing outfits and sultry rumbas.
The Partnership: Team #DJCandyBall
When Candace was paired with Mark Ballas, the internet basically exploded. They called themselves Team "DJ Candy Ball." Kind of a mouthful, but it stuck.
Mark is a creative genius, but he’s also known for being… well, a bit extra. His choreography is usually avant-garde and, let’s be real, often pretty provocative. You had this "bad boy" of the ballroom paired with the "Queen of Christmas." It was a recipe for either a total disaster or a ratings goldmine.
Surprisingly, they worked.
Mark actually listened. He adapted. He toned down the costumes when she felt they were too skimpy. It wasn’t always easy, though. Candace has been open about the fact that she had to constantly check in with herself—and her husband, Valeri Bure—to make sure she wasn't crossing her own lines.
✨ Don't miss: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the Judges Were So Hard on Her
If you look back at the scores, Candace was an underdog. Period.
She spent seven weeks at the bottom of the leaderboard. Seven. That’s a lot of "low" scores for someone who eventually made it to the finals. The judges—Len, Carrie Ann, and Bruno—constantly harped on her "stiffness."
They wanted more passion. More "fire."
- Week 1: A solid Foxtrot (27/30). People thought she’d be a frontrunner.
- The Slump: Then came the middle weeks. The scores dipped into the 7s and 8s.
- The Turning Point: That Contemporary dance with Charlie White. It was raw. It was emotional. It earned her a 38/40 and reminded everyone why she was still there.
The weird thing is, the "stiffness" the judges complained about was often just Candace trying to keep things modest. It’s hard to be "sexy" and "fluid" when you’re worried about your dress riding up or the choreography feeling too intimate.
The Modesty Battle Nobody Talks About
This is where the real "Candace Cameron Bure Dancing with the Stars" experience gets interesting.
She didn't just show up and dance. She was in the costume shop every week fighting for more fabric. She’s mentioned in her book, Dancing Through Life, that some of the crew even teased her about it. Not in a mean way, necessarily, but more like, "Here she goes again with the sleeves."
🔗 Read more: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
It wasn't just about the clothes, either. It was about the "acting" required for certain dances.
The Rumba is literally the "dance of love." How do you do that when you’re a devout Christian woman who doesn't want to look like she’s hitting on her partner? She struggled with that. A lot. Honestly, you could see the internal conflict on her face during some of those more "passionate" routines.
Making the Finals Against All Odds
Against Meryl Davis (an Olympic gold medalist) and Amy Purdy (a literal hero), Candace didn't really have a mathematical shot at winning. Meryl was essentially a professional dancer already.
But Candace had the "Full House" army.
The fans showed up. They voted every single week, keeping her safe while better dancers like Charlie White were sent home. It caused a bit of a stir online. People were mad. They said she didn't deserve to be there.
But that’s the thing about DWTS—it’s a popularity contest as much as it is a dance competition.
💡 You might also like: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
In the finale, she performed a freestyle that was… surprisingly edgy. She wore a sparkly black outfit and did some hip-hop moves that nobody expected from her. She ended up in third place.
Season 18 Final Standings:
- Meryl Davis & Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Winners)
- Amy Purdy & Derek Hough (Runners-up)
- Candace Cameron Bure & Mark Ballas (Third Place)
The Aftermath: Did it Change Her Career?
Totally.
Before the show, Candace was doing "Mom" roles and the occasional TV movie. After DWTS, she was everywhere. It directly led to her guest-hosting (and eventually joining) The View. It also proved there was still a massive audience for her, which helped pave the way for Fuller House on Netflix.
But it also solidified her reputation. She became the "face" of conservative values in Hollywood. Whether you love her or hate her, you have to admit she stayed consistent. She didn't "sell out" for the Mirrorball Trophy.
What You Can Learn from Her Journey
If you’re a fan or just someone who watched the highlights, there are a few takeaways from her time on the show.
First, boundaries matter. Even in a high-pressure environment like a reality TV show, you can say no. Candace proved that you don't have to follow the "script" to be successful.
Second, the "Full House" fans are loyal. Like, scary loyal.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see the dances for yourself, most are still on YouTube. Look for the "Stay With Me" Contemporary routine—it’s easily her best work. Also, if you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes struggles she mentioned, her book Dancing Through Life covers the DWTS era in way more detail than the show ever did. It’s a quick read and gives a lot of context to those "stiff" performances the judges hated.