Honestly, most people who watched season 31 of Dancing with the Stars remember the big stuff. They remember the guy from the Oscar-winning movie CODA hitting the floor. They remember the standing ovations. But if you weren't glued to the live feeds or following the deep-dive Reddit threads at the time, you probably missed the actual story of Daniel Durant Dancing with the Stars. It wasn’t just a "deaf guy can dance" narrative. It was way more intense than that.
It was a total masterclass in non-verbal communication that ended up changing two people's lives forever. Seriously.
The Partnership Nobody Saw Coming
When the cast was announced in September 2022, Daniel Durant was paired with pro Britt Stewart. On paper, it looked like a standard pairing. You take a talented actor and pair him with a seasoned pro. But there was a massive hurdle: Britt didn’t know American Sign Language (ASL).
Most people assumed they’d just use Daniel’s longtime interpreter, Gabe Gomez, for everything. That’s the "easy" way, right? Britt didn't want easy. She basically decided on day one that she was going to learn ASL herself because she wanted a direct connection. She didn't want a middleman between her and her student.
They spent hours in the rehearsal studio, not just drilling footwork, but learning how to "hear" through vibrations and visual cues. It’s wild to think about. You’ve got a guy who can’t hear the beat of a Paso Doble or a Jive, and a woman who is learning a new language on the fly while choreographing 90-second routines.
That "Silence" Moment That Broke the Internet
If you ask any die-hard fan about the standout moment of the season, they’ll point to week eight. It was '90s Night. Daniel and Britt were doing a Jazz routine to "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode.
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Halfway through the performance, the music just... stopped.
The audience went dead silent. For a few long seconds, you could only hear the sound of their feet hitting the ballroom floor. No beat. No melody. Just pure movement. It was Daniel’s idea to show the world exactly how he experiences the dance floor.
- The Judges' Reaction: Derek Hough was literally in tears.
- The Score: They pulled in their first 10s of the season (though Len Goodman, ever the stickler, gave a 9).
- The Impact: It wasn't a gimmick. It was a bridge between the hearing world and the Deaf community.
Carrie Ann Inaba mentioned that it was "profound" and "educational," which sounds a bit formal, but the vibe in the room was electric. It was the moment everyone realized Daniel wasn't just a "contestant with a story"—he was a legit dancer.
Why Daniel Durant Dancing with the Stars Was Different
We've seen deaf contestants on the show before. Marlee Matlin was a pioneer, and Nyle DiMarco actually won the Mirrorball trophy. So, what made Daniel’s run special?
It was the technicality. Daniel wasn't just following a lead; he was hitting sharp, rhythmic movements in dances like the Cha-cha and the Contemporary. He often talked about how he feels the bass in his chest or follows the "internal tempo" Britt would set during rehearsals.
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But it wasn't all sunshine. During Halloween Week, Daniel actually got sick and missed a bunch of rehearsal time. They had to pull together a video game-inspired Paso Doble to Billie Eilish's "Bury a Friend" with almost zero prep. He was visibly frustrated in the rehearsal packages. He’s a perfectionist. Even with the missed steps, they scored a 34/40.
The Semi-Final Heartbreak
They made it all the way to the semi-finals, which is a huge deal. They finished in 5th place, just missing the finale. In a season stacked with heavy hitters like Charli D’Amelio and Gabby Windey, coming in 5th was an incredible feat.
When they got eliminated in that double-elimination alongside Trevor Donovan, the energy shifted. It felt like the heart of the season had left. Daniel later told The Daily Moth that the transition from being "immersive and competitive" to suddenly being finished was "strange."
The Love Story Everyone Guessed
Let's talk about the "showmance" that wasn't actually a showmance. Usually, these DWTS rumors are just PR stunts to get votes. With Daniel and Britt, it felt... different. Fans on Twitter and Reddit were obsessed. They noticed the way they looked at each other during IG Lives.
The truth? They didn't actually start dating until the competition ended.
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They officially went public on Valentine's Day in 2023. Fast forward to Christmas 2023, and Daniel proposed on a mountain in Lake Arrowhead. He even brought his mom’s ring. It’s the kind of stuff you see in a Hallmark movie, except it actually happened.
What Happened After the Show
Since his time on the ballroom floor, Daniel hasn't slowed down. He’s been a massive advocate for Deaf representation in Hollywood. He’s often spoken about how CODA was a massive wave, but he's worried about it being a "fad."
He’s been pushing for more authentic stories—not just "deaf characters," but characters who happen to be deaf.
In August 2025, Daniel and Britt finally tied the wedding knot in California. It was a massive DWTS reunion. Everyone from Derek Hough to Emma Slater was there. Britt even signed her vows in ASL. It’s kind of poetic that a show about dancing ended up being the catalyst for a marriage built on a completely new way of communicating.
Insights for Fans and Dancers
If you're looking back at Daniel's journey for inspiration or just a trip down memory lane, here is the reality of what it takes to succeed like he did:
- Trust is non-negotiable: Daniel had to trust Britt’s physical cues more than most hearing dancers trust their own ears.
- Representation matters: Daniel proved that the "third deaf perspective" (as he called it) is unique. He wasn't Nyle and he wasn't Marlee; he was Daniel.
- The "Silence" Factor: Sometimes the most powerful part of a performance is what you take away, not what you add.
Daniel's run on season 31 wasn't just about the scores. It was about showing that "success" isn't always the trophy at the end. Sometimes it's the connection you build along the way.
Next Steps to Explore:
To truly appreciate his journey, go back and watch the week 8 "Enjoy the Silence" Jazz routine on YouTube. Pay attention to the footwork after the music cuts out—it's technically flawless. You can also follow Daniel on Instagram to see his ongoing work in the Deaf community and his life with Britt. If you're interested in more authentic Deaf storytelling, check out the 2015 Broadway revival of Spring Awakening, where Daniel originally made waves.