Honestly, if you weren't glued to your TV in the spring of 2017, you missed one of the most chaotic and genuinely surprising stretches of reality television in the last decade. The 24th season of dancing with the stars wasn't just another installment of celebrities stumbling over their own feet in sequins. It was a season defined by massive upsets, an NFL underdog finding his rhythm, and a literal "shocker" that still has fans debating on Reddit years later.
Remember the cast? It was stacked. We had Olympic royalty like Simone Biles and Nancy Kerrigan. There was Fifth Harmony’s Normani, who basically looked like a professional from week one. And then, the wild cards: Mr. T, Charo, and a recently retired MLB catcher named David Ross who somehow became the heart of the show.
The Rashad Jennings Ascent
Most people expected the athletes to do well, but nobody quite predicted the sheer work ethic of Rashad Jennings. The former New York Giants running back didn't just dance; he obsessed. He reportedly put in nearly 400 hours of rehearsal time over the course of the season.
It paid off.
Rashad and his partner, Emma Slater, had this chemistry that felt authentic. It wasn't just "show" chemistry. When they hit that freestyle in the finale—a high-energy routine that mixed contemporary and hip-hop—it was game over. They grabbed a perfect 40/40 from the judges. For Emma, it was her first-ever Mirrorball Trophy, a moment that felt long overdue for one of the show's most beloved pros.
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The Elimination No One Saw Coming
If you want to talk about the 24th season of dancing with the stars and not mention Simone Biles, you're doing it wrong. Simone was the heavy favorite. She’s the greatest gymnast of all time; her body is literally built for precision. But there was this weird tension with the judges.
You might remember the "smiling" comment.
Host Tom Bergeron asked Simone why she wasn't smiling after some critiques, and she fired back with the iconic line: "Smiling doesn't win you gold medals." It was a moment of raw honesty that highlighted the pressure she was under. When she was eliminated in the semifinals—despite having perfect scores that night—the ballroom went silent. It was a cold reminder that the popular vote is a different beast entirely.
Why Normani Took Third (and the Backlash)
Speaking of the popular vote, let's talk about the finale. Normani and Val Chmerkovskiy were, technically speaking, perhaps the best pair on the floor. Their 24-hour fusion challenge was flawless. Yet, when the results were read, they landed in third place.
The crowd literally booed.
It wasn't that people disliked Rashad or David Ross. It was just the sheer disbelief that the most technically gifted dancer didn't win. This season really hammered home the "Average Viewer" theory. To win this show, you don't just need the "Harmonizers" (Fifth Harmony fans) or the young demo; you need the middle-aged viewers who tune in every Monday night without fail. David Ross, the "Grandpa" of the Chicago Cubs, captured that demo perfectly. He wasn't the best dancer, but he was the guy everyone wanted to grab a beer with.
The Guest Judges and Technical Shifts
The judging panel was mostly the classic quartet: Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Julianne Hough. But we got some interesting flavor when Julianne had to step out. Nick Carter filled in one week, and Mandy Moore—the choreographer, not the actress—stepped in for another.
Having Mandy Moore on the panel was a treat for dance nerds. She looked at things through a purely technical lens that sometimes gets lost in the "storytelling" of the show.
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A Quick Look at the Final Standings:
- Winners: Rashad Jennings & Emma Slater
- Runners-up: David Ross & Lindsay Arnold
- Third Place: Normani & Val Chmerkovskiy
- Fourth Place: Simone Biles & Sasha Farber
The Injury That Changed Everything
Early on, the season took a hit when Maksim Chmerkovskiy suffered a calf injury. He was partnered with Heather Morris, who was already a controversial contestant because she had been a professional backup dancer for Beyoncé.
Because Maks was out, Alan Bersten (then just a troupe member) stepped up. Watching Heather and Alan navigate those weeks was fascinating. It changed the dynamic of their partnership, and some argue it's why they were eliminated much earlier than expected in week six. It was a "double elimination" night that also took out Nancy Kerrigan. Talk about a bloodbath.
Actionable Insights for DWTS Fans
If you’re looking back at the 24th season of dancing with the stars or watching current seasons, here are a few things to keep in mind about how the show actually works:
- Rehearsal Hours Matter: Rashad Jennings proved that a non-dancer can win through pure volume of work. If a contestant is posting 10+ hours a day on Instagram, bet on them.
- The "Journey" Narrative Beats Perfection: Normani and Simone Biles were "too good" too early. The audience loves to see someone struggle and then improve (the David Ross arc).
- Voter Demographics are Key: To win, a celebrity must appeal to the "heartland" audience. Athletes—especially from NFL and MLB—have a massive built-in advantage because they bring in a male demographic that doesn't usually vote.
- The Freestyle is the Tiebreaker: If you’re ever torn on who will win, wait for the freestyle. It’s the only dance where the pros can hide their partner's flaws and highlight their personality.
The 24th season remains a masterclass in how reality TV thrives on the unpredictable. It wasn't the most talented dancer who took the trophy, but the one who captured the spirit of the competition most effectively.
To dive deeper into the history of the show, you can check out the official archives or watch the standout performances from Rashad and Normani on the ABC YouTube channel. Their routines are still used as benchmarks for new contestants today.