Dancing With The Stars Season 31 marked a significant milestone for the beloved competition show as it premiered live, coast to coast, exclusively on Disney+. This transition to streaming made DWTS the first live show on the platform, introducing a new era for both the series and Disney+. A fresh cast of celebrities, eager to showcase their dancing skills, entered the ballroom, bringing with them a mix of talent, charisma, and heartwarming stories. The judging panel remained consistent, with Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough offering their expertise and critiques. Adding to the hosting dynamic, Alfonso Ribeiro, season 19 champion, joined Tyra Banks as co-host, bringing a familiar and enthusiastic presence to the show. As the weeks progressed, viewers witnessed impressive performances, surprising eliminations, and ultimately, the crowning of a new mirrorball champion. Let’s take a look back at the journey of Dancing With the Stars season 31, highlighting each elimination and leading up to the grand finale.
Week-by-Week Eliminations and Key Moments from Dancing With the Stars Season 31
The competition in Dancing With the Stars season 31 was fierce from the very beginning. Each week brought new challenges and themes, testing the celebrities’ abilities to adapt and impress both the judges and the audience. Here’s a chronological look at the eliminations that shaped the season:
Week 1: Jason Lewis and Peta Murgatroyd
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The season premiere saw Sex and the City star Jason Lewis and his partner Peta Murgatroyd perform a cha-cha. Unfortunately, their debut performance didn’t resonate with the judges, leading to their early exit as the first couple eliminated from Dancing With the Stars season 31. Despite the setback, Lewis took the elimination in stride, expressing gratitude for the experience.
Week 2: Teresa Giudice and Pasha Pashkov
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Week 2, themed “Elvis Night,” featured The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice and Pasha Pashkov dancing the jive. While Giudice brought her signature energy to the dance floor, the judges’ scores placed her in the bottom. Although the judges’ votes were split, head judge Len Goodman’s deciding vote resulted in Giudice and Pashkov’s elimination from Dancing With the Stars season 31, sending them back to the Garden State.
Week 3: Cheryl Ladd and Louis van Amstel
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Bond Night in Week 3 saw Charlie’s Angels icon Cheryl Ladd and her partner Louis van Amstel perform a Rumba. Despite her grace and elegance, Ladd’s performance received the second-lowest score of the night. Ultimately, the judges’ votes led to Cheryl Ladd and Louis van Amstel’s departure from Dancing With the Stars season 31, marking the end of her ballroom journey.
Week 4: Sam Champion and Cheryl Burke
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Good Morning America‘s Sam Champion and his partner Cheryl Burke danced in Week 4, with Champion fulfilling a childhood dream on the DWTS stage. However, the judges expressed a desire for more intensity in his performances. After landing in the bottom two, Sam Champion and Cheryl Burke were eliminated from Dancing With the Stars season 31, though Champion’s positive spirit remained undimmed.
Week 5: Selma Blair and Sasha Farber (Withdrawal)
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In a deeply moving moment in Week 5, actress Selma Blair, partnered with Sasha Farber, announced her withdrawal from the competition due to health concerns related to multiple sclerosis. Her final performance was a poignant dedication to everyone facing challenges and knowing when to step back. Selma Blair and Sasha Farber’s journey on Dancing With the Stars season 31, though shortened, left a lasting impact and inspired many.
Week 6: Joseph Baena and Daniella Karagach
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Fitness model Joseph Baena and Daniella Karagach consistently impressed the judges throughout Dancing With the Stars season 31. Despite receiving high praise, including being lauded for the “best rumba by a male” by Carrie Ann Inaba, Week 6 brought a surprising turn. In a shocking elimination, Joseph Baena and Daniella Karagach were sent home, much to the surprise of viewers and judges alike.
Week 7: Jessie James Decker and Alan Bersten
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Country singer Jessie James Decker and her partner Alan Bersten showed consistent growth throughout Dancing With the Stars season 31. After even being crowned Prom Queen during Week 5’s dance marathon, Decker’s journey ended in Week 7. Low scores for her salsa on Michael Bublé night led to Jessie James Decker and Alan Bersten’s elimination, bringing her dancing journey to a close.
Week 8: Jordin Sparks and Brandon Armstrong
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American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, partnered with Brandon Armstrong, embraced dance throughout her time on Dancing With the Stars season 31. Despite her growing passion and effort, Week 8 marked her elimination. Following her departure, Jordin Sparks expressed her newfound love for dance and her intention to continue pursuing it.
Week 9: Heidi D’Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev
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Heidi D’Amelio, star of The D’Amelio Show and mother to TikTok sensations Charli and Dixie, consistently found herself in the bottom two but was saved by the judges’ votes multiple times. However, in Week 9, her luck ran out. Receiving the lowest combined score and audience votes, Heidi D’Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev were automatically eliminated from Dancing With the Stars season 31, ending her run just before the semifinals.
Week 9: Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki
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Jersey Shore‘s Vinny Guadagnino, with partner Koko Iwasaki, became a fan favorite throughout Dancing With the Stars season 31. Despite consistently receiving the lowest scores from the judges, his personality and entertainment value carried him far in the competition. Ultimately, Week 9 marked the end of his journey; Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki were eliminated just one week shy of the semifinals.
Week 10: Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater
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90210 star Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater formed a strong partnership, making it all the way to the semifinals of Dancing With the Stars season 31. Despite declaring himself a non-dancer at the start, Donovan showed significant improvement. However, in Week 10, their cha-cha received the lowest scores, and Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater were eliminated without a chance for judges’ save, ending their hopes for the mirrorball trophy.
Week 10: Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart
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CODA star Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart were a standout duo in Dancing With the Stars season 31. Durant’s powerful performances, including a memorable jazz routine where the music cut out to represent his experience as a deaf performer, captivated audiences. Despite their best efforts in the semifinals, Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart were eliminated in a close judges’ vote against Shangela, narrowly missing out on a spot in the finale.
The Finalists and the Mirrorball Winner of Dancing With The Stars Season 31
The finale of Dancing With the Stars season 31 featured four incredibly talented couples: Shangela and Gleb Savchenko, Wayne Brady and Witney Carson, Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy, and Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas.
4th Place: Shangela and Gleb Savchenko
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Drag queen superstar Shangela and Gleb Savchenko brought unmatched energy and showmanship to Dancing With the Stars season 31. Shangela’s performances were always memorable, earning her first perfect score in Week 7 and delivering a show-stopping freestyle in the finale, complete with drag queen cameos. Ultimately, Shangela and Gleb Savchenko finished in fourth place.
3rd Place: Wayne Brady and Witney Carson
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Comedian and actor Wayne Brady, with partner Witney Carson, consistently impressed the judges with his versatility and showmanship throughout Dancing With the Stars season 31. Brady dedicated his participation to his late grandmother, a devoted fan of the show. Wayne Brady and Witney Carson secured a commendable third place in the competition.
Runners-Up: Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy
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Bachelorette star Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy overcame initial hesitation and blossomed into formidable dancers during Dancing With the Stars season 31. Windey consistently earned high praise and scores from the judges, demonstrating remarkable growth. Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy were named the runners-up for the mirrorball trophy, showcasing their incredible journey.
Winners: Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas
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TikTok star Charli D’Amelio, alongside her mother Heidi, made history as part of the first mother-daughter duo to compete on Dancing With the Stars. Paired with Mark Ballas, Charli D’Amelio proved to be a dance powerhouse, earning six perfect scores throughout Dancing With the Stars season 31. Her freestyle performance in the finale cemented her victory. Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas were crowned the winners of Dancing With the Stars season 31, taking home the coveted mirrorball trophy.
Dancing With the Stars season 31 delivered a season full of memorable moments, from Selma Blair’s inspiring journey to Charli D’Amelio’s dominant performances and ultimate win. The move to Disney+ marked a new chapter for the show, engaging a broader audience and solidifying its place in the landscape of popular entertainment.
