Everyone thinks they know how Dancing with the Stars works. You get a B-list celeb, a sparkly outfit, and a few weeks of grueling rehearsals. But if you're actually watching the show—I mean really watching—you know it’s the pros who carry the weight. Honestly, the dancing with the stars pro winners are the ones who determine if a season is just "fine" or if it becomes a piece of TV history.
Take Robert Irwin and Witney Carson.
Just a few months ago, they took home the Season 34 Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. It was a massive moment. Robert is the first sibling of a previous winner (Bindi Irwin) to also win the whole thing. But for Witney? It was her second win, coming over a decade after she first struck gold with Alfonso Ribeiro. That’s the kind of longevity that makes these pros legends.
The Mount Rushmore of Pro Winners
If we’re talking about the absolute GOATs, we have to start with Derek Hough. He’s the undisputed king of the ballroom. Six wins. Six! He won with Brooke Burke, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Grey, Kellie Pickler, Amber Riley, and Bindi Irwin.
Basically, if you were paired with Derek between 2008 and 2015, you were almost guaranteed a spot in the finale. He didn't just teach people how to dance; he figured out the "DWTS" formula. He knew exactly when to push the emotional narrative and when to go full-tilt on the choreography.
Then there’s the Chmerkovskiy dynasty.
Val Chmerkovskiy finally caught up to Mark Ballas's three-win record recently. Val has trophies with Rumer Willis, Laurie Hernandez, and Xochitl Gomez. He almost got his fourth with Alix Earle in Season 34, but they ended up in second place. Mark Ballas, meanwhile, is retired now (or so he says), but his wins with Kristi Yamaguchi, Shawn Johnson, and Charli D’Amelio are still some of the most technically perfect routines the show has ever seen.
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Who Actually Has the Most Wins?
It’s a shorter list than you’d think. Out of dozens of pros who have walked through those doors, only a handful have won more than once.
- Derek Hough: 6 wins (The undisputed leader).
- Val Chmerkovskiy: 3 wins (Current active leader).
- Mark Ballas: 3 wins (The creative genius).
- Cheryl Burke: 2 wins (The OG who won seasons 2 and 3 back-to-back).
- Julianne Hough: 2 wins (She did it fast and then moved to the judges' table).
- Peta Murgatroyd: 2 wins (Winner with Donald Driver and Nyle DiMarco).
- Kym Johnson: 2 wins (A fan favorite from the early days).
- Witney Carson: 2 wins (Season 19 and Season 34).
- Jenna Johnson: 2 wins (Winner with Adam Rippon and Joey Graziadei).
The Season 34 Shakeup and the "Irwin Effect"
Robert Irwin’s win with Witney Carson in late 2025 was a vibe shift. For a few years, it felt like the same few pros were dominating. But Season 34 felt different. Witney hadn't won in ages. Robert was younger, energetic, and had that "Crocodile Hunter" legacy behind him.
They beat out Alix Earle and Val, which was a huge upset for the "influencer" crowd. Alix was getting perfect 10s left and right. But Robert’s freestyle to "Black & Gold" and Avicii’s "The Nights" just hit different. He even danced through a rib injury. That's the stuff Mirrorball dreams are made of.
And let's talk about Jenna Johnson.
She won Season 33 with Joey Graziadei (The Bachelor) just a year prior. It’s funny how the "Bachelor Nation" vote usually carries people far, but Jenna actually made Joey look like a professional. That win was huge for her because it proved she could win with a "standard" male celeb, not just a ringer or an athlete.
Why Some Pros Win and Others Don't
It isn't just about being a good dancer. You've gotta be a part-time therapist and a full-time marketing manager.
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Pros like Sasha Farber or Gleb Savchenko are incredible, but they haven't quite cracked the winning code yet. Why? Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw. If you get a partner with zero rhythm and a bad attitude, you’re out by week three.
But look at someone like Daniella Karagach. She won with Iman Shumpert (the first NBA player to win). That was purely down to her choreography. She utilized his height and athleticism in ways no one else thought of. She’s only been around a few years and she’s already considered one of the best "Dancing with the Stars" pro winners because of how she thinks outside the box.
The Back-to-Back Club
Winning once is hard. Winning twice in a row is nearly impossible. Only three pros have ever done it:
- Cheryl Burke: Seasons 2 and 3.
- Julianne Hough: Seasons 4 and 5.
- Derek Hough: He did it twice (Seasons 10/11 and Seasons 16/17).
Since the show moved to Disney+ and then back to ABC, the competition has become way more intense. The "back-to-back" era might be over because the fans are more fickle now. They want to see someone new hold the trophy.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Pros
A common misconception is that the pros just show up and dance. Sorta. They actually spend about 14 hours a day in the studio. They have to edit the music. They have to design the costumes. They have to deal with the celebrities' meltdowns when they can't get a Paso Doble right.
When we talk about dancing with the stars pro winners, we’re talking about people who sacrificed their entire social lives for three months to make a stranger look like a star.
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Val Chmerkovskiy once mentioned in an interview that the pressure to win is "suffocating" because it’s not just your reputation on the line; it’s your partner's dream. When you see a pro cry after a win, it’s usually 10% joy and 90% sheer relief that it’s over and they didn't fail.
The Future: Who’s Next?
With Season 35 on the horizon for later in 2026, the field is wide open. Alan Bersten and Britt Stewart are overdue for another big run. Alan won with Hannah Brown (another Bachelor win), but he’s been thirsty for a second trophy ever since.
Ezra Sosa is also rising through the ranks quickly. He took Jordan Chiles to the finale in Season 34, and even though they got third, he’s clearly the next "big thing" in the pro lineup.
Also, keep an eye on Rylee Arnold. She’s young, she’s got the social media following, and she’s hungry. She nearly took Stephen Nedoroscik (the pommel horse guy) to the win in Season 33. If she gets a partner with even a modicum of natural ability, she’s going to be a problem for the veterans.
How to Track Your Favorite Pros
If you're trying to keep up with who is actually winning these days, don't just look at the TV. Most of the real info is on TikTok and Instagram now. The pros post their rehearsals there, and you can usually tell by Week 4 who has the chemistry to go all the way.
- Watch the Freestyle: This is where winners are made. If the pro plays it safe, they lose. Robert Irwin won because Witney took a massive risk with a high-energy, contemporary-infused freestyle.
- Check the "Ringer" Status: If a celeb has prior dance experience, the judges are harder on them. The pros who win with "non-dancers" (like Daniella Karagach with Iman Shumpert) usually get more respect from the audience.
- Follow the Story: DWTS is a soap opera. The pros who tell a good story with their partner usually win the popular vote, regardless of the scores.
The Mirrorball isn't just a trophy anymore. It's a legacy. Whether it's Derek's six wins or Witney's recent comeback, the professional dancers are the heartbeat of the show. They are the ones who turn a nervous celebrity into a champion.
Check the official ABC cast announcements for Season 35 this summer to see which winners are returning to defend their titles. Following the pros' individual social media accounts is the best way to see the "behind the scenes" of their choreography process before the season even starts.