Season 34 of “Dancing with the Stars” debuted on September 16, 2025, bringing together one of the most broad, conversation-starting casts the show has put together in years. With elite athletes, social media stars, and reality TV stars, the season quickly became an event that had millions dedicate their Tuesday nights to.
This season’s lineup blended multiple genres and fanbases, creating an endless online buzz. Season 34’s cast was built deliberately for narrative acts. Each pair brought a unique storyline that unfolded more every week, giving the season more depth than fans had seen in a long time.
Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy
Earle entered as the season’s social media star, drawing plenty of her viewers into the world of ballroom dance. At first, many doubted her ballroom dancing ability. The early weeks were shaky, but she caught on quickly and by the midpoint of the season, her growth was undeniable. As her scores got higher, so did her fanbase’s expectations, but one thing is for sure: Earle proved that she was more than just an influencer flash.
Andy Richer & Emma Slater
During the first few dances, Richer leaned fully into character. He became the spirit of “Dancing with the Stars,” and while his technique was never quite at the level as the other contestants, he brought a level of joy, humor and warmth that lit up the stage every week. His Week 3 quickstep became a fan favorite, and by midseason, he became everyone’s morale booster.
Baron Davis & Britt Stweart
Davis’s journey was not defined by his athleticism and ability to explosively dunk, but discipline. In the beginning, his footwork was rough. Despite this, Stweart shaped him into one of the most rhythmically impressive celebrities of the show. His Week 6 hip-hop fusion earned one of the most electric audiences of the whole season.
Corey Feldman & Jenna Johnson
Feldman started as the chaotic nostalgia pick– fun to watch, but unpolished. Johnson tightened his technique as the season progressed, and it paid off, especially with his Argentine tango. Similar to many pairs, fans on social media dug deep into the partnership and decided Feldman was not right for Johnson.
Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashakov
Fishel was a fan-favorite from the first time she entered the ballroom, but she still managed to blow away viewers with her control, amazing form, and storytelling. One of her strongest performances was her Week 8 contemporary performance that culminated an emotional story and established the pair’s strength.
Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach
Efron surprised everyone with his natural ability to produce a clean performance using his athleticism and pairing it with Karagach’s precision. His Week 7 Trio Week displayed a professional-like attitude which impressed everyone beyond expectations. They performed several notable dances which brought them to the season finale.
Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten
Hendrix played into her wit, character, and sharp yet comedic timing – creating an entertaining performance despite not being the strongest technician. Her mannerisms like her nod made her personality a fan favorite.
Hilaria Baldwin & Gleb Savechenko
Baldwin arrived with high-level technique and left with many controversial opinions. She became one of the season’s most discussed contestants, where she claimed that she was bullied off of the show by online critics and voters. Following her elimination, Baldwin spoke out on multiple social media platforms expressing her opinion surrounding the negativity she claimed to experience while on the show.
Jen Affleck & Jan Ravnik
Although Affleck was paired with a brand-new pro, their exponential growth gained praise from online platforms. Early dances were messy, but midseason improvement was substantial. By Week 8 she delivered a cha-cha that fans described as impressive and enjoyable to watch.
Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa
From Olympic gold medalist to competing for a Mirrorball was just what the season needed. Chiles dominated with her gymnast technique and used the skill to progress. Her Week 9 contemporary demonstrated clear artistic growth and that she wasn’t just strong.
Lauren Jauregui & Brandon Armstrong
Jauregui began as one of the most artistically promising contestants, but many agreed she needed to gain more confidence and let go more. Armstrong helped her lean into her musicality and emotional depth which paid off in the semi-finals. There, she executed breathtaking performances that everyone seemed to enjoy.
Robert Irwin & Witney Carson
While Irwin didn’t enter as a natural dancer, his charm, heart, and willingness to work won over the audience. Fans praised his growth as well as his scores, especially his tribute contemporary which was a definite top moment. With the help of Irwin’s online praise, the pair took home the Mirrorball, making them the winners of “Dancing with the Stars” this season.
Scott Hoying & Rylee Arnold
Hoying arrived with stellar musical awareness thanks to his background with Pentatonix. His footwork and dancing technique got better week by week with the help from Arnold, who shaped him into one of the season’s most polished male dancers.
Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas
Leavitt stepped in the dance studio with huge TikTok experience, but she quickly learned that it wasn’t enough. At first, stepping into the ballroom humbled her, but Ballas emphasized posture and control, turning her into a refined performer from a quickly moving influencer. Fans described the pair’s Week 3 samba as unforgettable; some fans said they keep coming back to rewatch it.
Now that “Dancing with the Stars” has officially come to an end, many can agree that the show perfectly mixed nostalgia with modern celebrity culture, delivered numerous viral moments, and gave fans a cast worth rooting for. Each star brought something entirely their own, and together they created a season fans will revisit, closing on a high note fans hoped for.
