On June 1, 2005, six professional ballroom dancers (pros) and six celebrities (stars) began their competition for the first Mirrorball Trophy. Judged by Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba and hosted by Tom Bergeron, Dancing with the Stars was an immediate hit, with the premiere drawing of 13 million viewers.
34 seasons, around 400 stars, and 51 professional dancers later, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) is celebrating its 20th Birthday with Tuesday’s episode dedicated to the anniversary of the show. Whether you’ve been an avid watcher for years or just starting out tomorrow, here is everything you need to know before tuning in this Tuesday.
There are only three episodes left in the competition this season, and seven couples remain. Here’s a brief rundown of each of the contests still fighting for the Mirrorball:
Robert Irwin is a fan favorite this season and is best known as a wildlife conservationist. He is partnered with pro Witney Carson, who has been on the show for nearly a decade and has won the Mirrorball once.
Whitney Leavitt, best known as a reality tv star in Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is partnered with Mark Ballas, three-time Mirrorball champion. While she is one of the top dancers this season, fans are debating whether her past dance experience makes her overqualified.
Alix Earle is most known across social media for her “Get Ready with Me” TikToks. She is partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy, another three-time winner. She has proven to be a very driven competitor, pushing herself to be better every week.
Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Jordan Chiles is partnered with Ezra Sosa who has only been a pro for two seasons. Jordan’s gymnastic skills give her a distinct edge that has captivated the audience week after week.
Dylan Efron is a TV personality, but you probably know him best for being Zac Efron’s brother. He is partnered with Daniella Karagach who was Emmy nominated for DWTS choreography in 2022.
Elaine Hendrix is best known for her iconic role of Meredith in Parent Trap. With her partner Alan Bersten, Elaine has fought through injury and pain during her time on DWTS, proving herself time and time again to be a serious and noteworthy competitor.
Last but not least, is comedian Andy Richter who is partnered with Emma Slater, a long-time pro on the show. Despite consistently scoring lower than other contestants, Andy’s popularity has kept him on the show. Many voters believe that he is not improving as significantly as others, and his elimination is way overdue.
The regular judges of this season are Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba, and joining them as a guest judge is Tom Bergeron. As mentioned previously, Tom was the first DWTS host, with his time running for 15 years.
The episode will open with a spectacular choreographed number featuring both past and present pros, with a touching tribute dance later in the episode honoring former DWTS cast members who have passed away. This includes Len Goodman, one of the original judges. His dedication and impact on the show will not be forgotten. Since he passed away in 2023, the Mirrorball has been rebranded as the Len Goodman Mirrorball in honor of him.
Each couple will perform a routine set to an iconic song from a previous season. Later in the night comes the relay dance, a signature DWTS challenge. There will be three groups of two couples who will have to dance to the same song in the same dance style back-to-back, switching off halfway through the song.
However, this season’s relay has a special twist: instead of dancing with their pro partners, the stars will team up with former Mirrorball champions — including Joey Graziadei, Xochitl Gomez, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Rashad Jennings, Rumer Willis, and Apolo Ohno. It’s the first time in DWTS history that contestants will swap pros for past winners, blending legacy and competition in a way fans have never seen before.
As an added bonus, Whitney Leavitt—last week’s top scorer— has earned immunity from elimination and won’t have to participate in the relay.
So, make sure to grab some popcorn and tune in to Dancing with the Stars this Tuesday as they celebrate 20 years.