Honestly, if you look back at the chaotic timeline of reality TV, Season 21 of Dancing with the Stars stands out as this weird, beautiful, and occasionally controversial fever dream. It aired in the fall of 2015. Remember 2015? It was a time when the show was trying to figure out how to stay relevant in a changing digital landscape, and man, did they throw everything at the wall to see what would stick.
Most people remember Bindi Irwin. How could you not? But the season was so much more than just a crocodile hunter’s daughter winning a trophy. It was the season of the back-to-back casting shocks, the health scares that actually changed the rules of the competition, and the moment the show realized that social media engagement mattered more than pure technical ballroom skill.
The Cast That No One Saw Coming
The lineup for Season 21 of Dancing with the Stars was basically a masterclass in demographic targeting. You had the legendary Chaka Khan—who, let’s be real, was gone way too soon—paired with Keo Motsepe. Then you had Gary Busey.
Gary was... Gary.
His presence on the dance floor was less about the cha-cha and more about the unpredictable energy he brought to every live interview with Erin Andrews. It was must-watch TV because you genuinely didn't know if he was going to follow the choreography or start explaining the mysteries of the universe.
Then you had the "hero" casting. This was a big pivot for the show. They brought on Alek Skarlatos, who had just recently become a global name after helping to thwart a terrorist attack on a train in France. He wasn't a celebrity in the traditional sense. He was a guy thrown into a world of sequins and spray tans, and the audience ate it up. His partnership with Lindsay Arnold proved that the "average Joe" narrative still had massive legs on ABC.
Bindi Irwin and the Emotional Core
If you want to talk about why Season 21 of Dancing with the Stars felt different, you have to talk about Bindi.
She was only 17.
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When it was announced she’d be working with Derek Hough, everyone kind of knew they’d be the ones to beat. But no one expected the emotional depth she’d bring. Her tribute to her father, Steve Irwin, during the Most Memorable Year week wasn’t just good TV; it was a cultural moment. They danced a Contemporary routine to "Every Breath You Take." It was raw. Derek, being the strategist he is, choreographed it to highlight her sincerity rather than just her footwork.
They won. Of course they did. But the victory felt earned because Bindi managed to bridge the gap between the older viewers who loved the traditional waltz and the younger crowd who followed her on Instagram.
When Real Life Crashed the Ballroom
The season wasn't all glitter and perfect 10s. It was actually one of the most physically taxing seasons for the cast.
Kim Zolciak-Biermann had to withdraw. It was a huge deal at the time. She suffered a mini-stroke (TIA) and, because of her recovery and travel restrictions, she couldn't make it back for the live show. According to the strict rules of the competition, if you can't perform during the live broadcast, you’re out. It felt harsh. Fans were livid. It sparked a massive debate about whether the show should have "mercy rules" for medical emergencies.
Then there was Tamar Braxton.
Tamar was a frontrunner. She was killing it. But she ended up in the hospital with pulmonary embolisms. Watching her try to rush back from the emergency room just to make the elimination segment was one of the most stressful things I’ve ever seen on a reality competition. Eventually, she had to withdraw too, which basically cleared the path for Bindi and Nick Carter to battle it out in the finals.
The Nick Carter Redemption Arc
Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys was the "pro" who wasn't a pro.
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He came in with the boy band baggage. People expected him to be perfect, but he struggled with the technicality of ballroom. Sharna Burgess did an incredible job of breaking down his pop-star habits to turn him into a legitimate dancer. Their "Downton Abbey" themed Viennese Waltz? Iconic.
The rivalry—if you can even call it that because they were all so supportive—between Nick and Bindi kept the ratings steady. It was the classic "Pop Royalty vs. America’s Sweetheart" setup.
Why the Tech and Production Mattered
By Season 21, the production value had peaked. They were using more projection mapping and augmented reality than ever before. This was the season where the "pro numbers" started looking like high-budget music videos.
They also leaned heavily into the "Switch-Up" week.
This is usually a polarizing move. Fans hate seeing their favorite couples split, but it’s a genius way for producers to see who actually has chemistry. It revealed that Alek Skarlatos could actually dance with someone other than Lindsay, and it tested Bindi’s resilience when she was paired with Val Chmerkovskiy.
The Controversy You Forgot About
Remember the Paula Deen casting?
The show faced a lot of heat for bringing her on after her public scandals. It was a transparent attempt at a "redemption" storyline that didn't quite land. She lasted longer than some expected—six weeks—but the chemistry with Louis van Amstel always felt a bit forced. It served as a reminder that the show often uses the ballroom as a PR tool for celebrities in crisis.
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Ranking the Top Performers
If we’re looking at pure scores, the leaderboard usually looked like this:
Bindi Irwin was almost always at the top, averaging nearly a perfect score toward the end. Nick Carter followed closely, usually just a point or two behind. Alek Skarlatos stayed in the middle of the pack but was saved by the "hero" vote every single week. Carlos PenaVega was actually statistically one of the best dancers, but he often got overshadowed by the bigger personalities of his wife, Alexa PenaVega (who was also competing), and the Bindi/Nick juggernaut.
Alexa’s elimination was actually one of the most shocking moments of the season. She got a perfect score and was sent home in the same night. It was a "check your votes" moment that the producers love because it drives engagement for the following week.
The Legacy of Season 21
Looking back, this season was the bridge to the modern era of the show. It was the last time the show felt like it had that specific "middle America" magic before it started leaning heavily into the Disney+ transition and the influencer-heavy casting of later years.
It proved that the audience cares about the "journey" more than the dance. Alek Skarlatos made it to third place not because he was the third-best dancer—Carlos PenaVega arguably was—but because the audience felt a connection to his story.
Actionable Insights for DWTS Superfans
If you’re revisiting Season 21 of Dancing with the Stars or just getting into the show, here is how to actually get the most out of the experience:
- Watch the "Most Memorable Year" performances first. If you don't have time for the whole season, this week (Week 4) is the soul of the show. It gives you the context for every celebrity's motivation.
- Analyze the Derek Hough factor. Season 21 was Derek at his peak choreographic power. Watch how he uses props and staging to hide Bindi’s lack of professional training. It’s a masterclass in creative direction.
- Don't ignore the pros. This was a breakout year for Sharna Burgess and Lindsay Arnold. They moved from being "the new girls" to being the powerhouse choreographers who would define the next decade of the show.
- Check the YouTube archives. A lot of the best behind-the-scenes footage and rehearsal packages from this season aren't on the streaming versions but are still floating around on the official DWTS YouTube channel.
The season ended with Bindi lifting the Mirrorball Trophy, a rain-soaked finale performance, and a feeling that the show had successfully navigated a difficult year of injuries and cast changes. It remains a high-water mark for the franchise.
Next Steps for Your DWTS Knowledge:
- Compare the scores: Look at the Week 1 scores versus the Finals. You'll notice that the "growth arc" for Season 21 was much steeper than in recent seasons like 31 or 32, where many contestants came in with prior dance experience.
- Study the "Switch-Up" stats: Analyze how the judges' scores changed when the partners were swapped. It’s the best way to see which pros are the most effective teachers.
- Research the medical protocols: Since Kim Zolciak’s forced withdrawal, the show’s handling of illness and injury has become a major point of contract negotiation for celebrity participants.