In the summer of 2005, network television was a bit of a wasteland. ABC took a massive gamble on a British imports concept that sounded, frankly, kinda cheesy at the time. They called it Dancing with the Stars. There were only six celebrities. No one knew if Americans would actually care about ballroom dancing. Fast forward twenty years, and it’s a global juggernaut. But if you look back at the first winner of Dancing with the Stars, things were way more chaotic and controversial than the polished production we see today.
Kelly Monaco won. But honestly? It almost didn't happen.
The General Hospital star wasn't exactly a ringer. In fact, she started the competition with some of the lowest scores in the show’s history. If you go back and watch that first episode, it’s painful. She looked terrified. The judges—Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli—were brutal. Carrie Ann basically told her she was an awkward mover. It was rough.
The Underdog Story of the First Winner of Dancing with the Stars
Kelly was paired with Alec Mazo. They were the clear underdogs. While other contestants like John O’Hurley (the guy who played J. Peterman on Seinfeld) were hitting high marks immediately, Kelly was struggling with the basics. She had "duck feet," as she later described it.
Then came Week 4. Everything changed.
During a live Samba to "Bailamos," Kelly’s dress literally started falling apart. One of the straps snapped. Now, on live TV, that’s usually a disaster. But instead of freezing, Kelly grabbed her dress with one hand and kept dancing. She didn't miss a beat. It was the first time the audience really saw her. Not as Sam McCall, her soap opera character, but as a person who could handle a crisis with some serious grit.
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The judges loved it. They gave her a 26 out of 30. Carrie Ann called it "magical" because Kelly finally got out of her own head. That moment of vulnerability is what actually secured her path to the trophy. People love a comeback.
Why Everyone Was Mad About the Finale
When the finale rolled around on July 6, 2005, the math didn't really add up for some viewers. John O’Hurley had been the technical favorite the entire season. He was polished. He was graceful. Kelly, meanwhile, was the "most improved."
In the final episode, Kelly and Alec performed a Freestyle to Jennifer Lopez’s "Let’s Get Loud." It was high energy, sure, but she actually fell during part of the routine. Despite the stumble, the judges handed out three 10s. It was the first perfect score in the show's history.
John O’Hurley fans were livid.
When Tom Bergeron announced Kelly Monaco as the first winner of Dancing with the Stars, even Kelly was stunned. She later admitted she whispered a choice four-letter word to Tom because she couldn't believe it. The backlash was so intense—people claiming the voting was rigged or that the judges were biased—that ABC actually did something they have never done since.
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They staged a rematch.
The Rematch Nobody Talks About
In September 2005, ABC aired a "Dance-Off" special. It was a winner-takes-all showdown between Kelly and John. This time, there was no judges' score to hide behind; it was purely about the viewer vote.
John O’Hurley won that rematch.
He finally got his validation, and a bunch of money went to charity, but the history books don't change. Kelly Monaco remains the official inaugural champion. John might have "won the war" in the eyes of the public that fall, but Kelly had already captured the cultural moment.
She proved the "journey" was more important than the "technique." That's the formula the show still uses today. They want to see the celebrity who has never touched a dance floor transform into someone who can hold their own. Kelly was the blueprint for that.
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Life After the Mirrorball
Winning didn't just give Kelly a trophy. It completely rebranded her career. Before the show, she was often stuck with the "soap opera villain" label. After, she was a household name. She even went back for the All-Stars season in 2012 (Season 15) and finished third.
It’s also worth noting how small that first season was. Only six episodes. The judges were much quieter back then—no screaming or jumping on chairs. It felt like a low-budget experiment that accidentally became a hit.
If you’re looking to understand why certain stars win today even when they aren't the best dancers, you have to look back at 2005. The first winner of Dancing with the Stars set the precedent that personality and perseverance beat a perfect frame every single time.
Actionable Insights for DWTS Fans:
- Watch the Week 4 Samba: If you want to see the exact moment the show became a hit, find the clip of Kelly’s wardrobe malfunction. It’s the rawest moment in the franchise.
- Check the Scoring Evolution: Notice how 10s are handed out now versus then. In Season 1, a 10 was a massive deal. Now, they're everywhere by Week 5.
- The Rematch Lesson: Don't expect another rematch special. ABC learned that it actually undermines the "official" winner, which is why they've never repeated the O'Hurley/Monaco experiment.