It’s been twenty years. Think about that for a second. In 2005, we were still using flip phones, and somehow, a show based on a British ballroom competition became a juggernaut that redefined American reality TV. Dancing with the Stars shouldn't have worked. On paper, watching a retired NFL linebacker try to master the Viennese Waltz sounds like a recipe for a one-season wonder, yet here we are. It’s the sequins. It’s the spray tans. But mostly, it’s the weirdly high stakes of watching someone genuinely fail and then, sometimes, spectacularly succeed.
People love to act like they're too cool for the Mirrorball Trophy. They aren't.
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The show has outlasted dozens of imitators because it taps into a very specific kind of human vulnerability. When you see an Olympic athlete like Simone Biles or a legend like Patti LaBelle step onto that floor, they aren't the icons we know—they’re terrified students. That’s the hook.
The Evolution of the Ballroom: From ABC to Disney+ and Back Again
The journey of Dancing with the Stars hasn't been a straight line. Not even close. Fans were genuinely shocked when the show migrated to Disney+ for Season 31, marking the first time a major live competition series moved entirely to a streaming platform. It felt like the end of an era. The absence of commercials felt "off" to long-time viewers who used those breaks to argue about scores on X (formerly Twitter).
But guess what? It came back to ABC.
The powers that be realized that the "appointment viewing" aspect of the show is its lifeblood. You need the live broadcast. You need the tension of the elimination. In 2024, seeing the show simulcast on both ABC and Disney+ became the sweet spot. It brought back the older demographic that grew up with Len Goodman’s iconic "Seven!" paddles while keeping the younger, social-media-savvy audience who wants to stream it without a cable box.
The casting strategy has shifted too. In the early days, you’d get a B-list actor and a couple of Olympians. Now, the producers are hunting for "Internet famous" stars like Charli D’Amelio or JoJo Siwa. It’s a smart move. Bringing in Siwa, who competed in the first same-sex partnership with Jenna Johnson, wasn't just a gimmick; it was a technical masterclass that pushed the boundaries of what the show could actually be. They proved that the "lead" and "follow" roles in ballroom don't have to be gender-coded to be breathtaking.
Why the Judges Actually Matter (Even When They're Wrong)
Ballroom is subjective. We know this. Yet, we treat the judges' table like the Supreme Court.
The loss of Len Goodman in 2023 left a massive hole in the show's soul. Len was the "grumpy" anchor. He cared about the fleckerl in the Viennese Waltz and the tucked toes in a Jive. Without his strict adherence to traditional technique, there was a fear the show would just become a glorified cheerleading competition.
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Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough have a tough job. They have to balance being "TV personalities" with being actual technical experts.
- Carrie Ann is the "Lift Police." If a foot leaves the floor during a dance that forbids it, she’s on it.
- Bruno is the human equivalent of an espresso shot, all flamboyant gestures and poetic metaphors.
- Derek, the winningest pro in the show's history, brings the modern perspective.
Honestly, the tension between the judges and the pros is often better than the dances themselves. When a pro like Val Chmerkovskiy or Lindsay Arnold pushes back against a low score, you’re seeing real professional pride. They spend 40+ hours a week in a rehearsal studio with these celebrities. They’re exhausted. They’re invested. When a judge dismisses that hard work, the sparks are real.
The "Ringer" Controversy That Never Dies
Every season, the internet melts down over "ringers." These are the contestants who have previous dance experience. Think Heather Morris (who was a backup dancer for Beyoncé) or Alfonso Ribeiro.
Is it unfair? Maybe.
But here’s the thing: having a ringer raises the floor of the entire competition. If everyone is bad, the show is a comedy. If you have two or three people who can actually dance, the pros can choreograph routines that look like something out of a Broadway show. That’s what keeps people coming back. We want to see the "journey" of the person who has never danced, sure, but we also want to see the sheer artistry of a perfect 30/30 Argentine Tango.
Behind the Scenes: The Brutal Reality of Training
What the cameras don't always show is the physical toll. This isn't just "fun exercise." We're talking about stress fractures, torn ligaments, and extreme exhaustion. The celebrities are often balancing full-time jobs or filming other projects while trying to learn a completely new physical language.
The pros are the real MVPs. They aren't just dancers; they are therapists, drill sergeants, and choreographers. They have to figure out how to make a 6'5" NBA player look graceful next to a 5'3" professional. They have to manage the egos of celebrities who are used to being the best in their own fields but are suddenly failing at a basic box step.
It’s a pressure cooker. You’re in a tiny room with a stranger for eight hours a day, sweating, failing, and getting frustrated. It’s no wonder the "DWTS Curse" (where celebrities end up in relationships with their pros) is a recurring headline. It’s a high-intensity bonding experience that most people will never understand.
How to Actually Win the Mirrorball
If you look at the history of winners, it’s rarely the "best" dancer who takes it home. It’s the person who captures the audience’s heart.
- The Vulnerability Factor: You have to cry at least once in your rehearsal footage. If you’re too "perfect" or too "cool," the audience won't vote. People want to see the struggle.
- The Pro Factor: Some pros have massive fanbases. If you get paired with a fan-favorite like Mark Ballas (when he was on) or Peta Murgatroyd, you’ve already got a head start.
- The Song Choice: A bad cover of a popular song can kill a routine. The music department has a huge influence on who stays and who goes.
- The Freestyle: This is the "make or break" moment. The finale freestyle allows for lifts, stunts, and any style of dance. It’s the final 90 seconds to prove you deserve the trophy.
The Cultural Impact of Ballroom in the 21st Century
Before Dancing with the Stars, ballroom dancing was a niche hobby in the U.S. It was something "old people" did or something you saw in specialized competitions on PBS. Now, dance studios across the country are packed with people wanting to learn the Salsa or the Cha-Cha.
The show has democratized dance. It’s made it accessible. It’s shown that men can be masculine and powerful while wearing sequins and doing a Rumba. It has survived host changes—the Tyra Banks era was... polarized, to say the least—and it has survived global pandemics.
When Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro took over as co-hosts, the show felt like it found its footing again. Having former winners and pros at the helm brings a level of empathy to the interviews that was missing for a few years. They know what it’s like to stand on that "purgatory" balcony waiting for the scores.
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What's Next for the Franchise?
As we look toward the future, the show is leaning harder into "Theme Nights." Whether it's Disney Night, Taylor Swift Night, or Monster Night, these themes drive social media engagement. They provide a hook for people who might not care about ballroom but do care about "Cruel Summer."
The integration of live voting across all time zones was a massive technological hurdle that they finally cleared, making the competition feel more immediate. You aren't just watching a recorded performance; you are actively participating in someone's fate in real-time.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Aspiring Dancers
If you're watching the show and feeling inspired, or if you're just a die-hard fan looking to deepen your experience, here’s how to engage:
- Watch the Footwork: Next time a couple dances, don't look at their faces or the flashy lights. Look at their feet. Are they flat-footed in a Latin dance (a big no-no)? Are they losing their balance on the turns? You'll start to see what the judges see.
- Support Local Studios: Most cities have "Ballroom Socials." You don't need a partner to go. These studios often offer "DWTS-style" intro classes that are way less intimidating than the show makes them look.
- Engage with the Pros: Many of the professional dancers offer online tutorials or behind-the-scenes content on YouTube and Instagram. If you want to know the real mechanics of a Samba, that's where you'll find the gold.
- Vote with Strategy: Remember that your votes are 50% of the score. If your favorite is at the bottom of the leaderboard, they need your 10 votes (per platform!) more than the person at the top.
The show is a circus, a sport, and a soap opera all rolled into one. It’s shouldn't work, but it does. And as long as there are celebrities willing to embarrass themselves for a trophy made of plastic and mirrors, we’ll be watching.