Home Poal15

7 Shocking Secrets And Record-Breaking Moments That Defined Dancing With The Stars Season 31

• minute read
Contents

Dancing with the Stars Season 31 marked a seismic shift in the show's history, moving from its longtime home on ABC to become an exclusive, live-streamed event on Disney+. This transition, which occurred in late 2022, brought a fresh, dynamic feel to the ballroom, introducing new technical challenges while retaining the beloved format of celebrity transformations and dazzling choreography. For fans looking back at one of the most transformative seasons, the journey of the celebrity cast, the return of a fan-favorite pro, and the eventual crowning of a highly-debated winner made it an unforgettable spectacle.

As of today, December 24, 2025, Season 31 remains a landmark in the franchise, not just for its change in network but for the sheer caliber of competition. The season delivered high scores, emotional eliminations, and a finale that pitted a social media megastar against a beloved reality TV personality. Understanding the full scope of this season requires looking beyond the glitz and focusing on the key players and the major developments that made it a must-watch event.

The Star-Studded Cast, Key Figures, and Final Standings of DWTS 31

Season 31 featured a diverse array of celebrities, from social media personalities and actors to reality stars and musicians. The judging panel remained intact, and the hosting duo returned to guide the show through its new streaming environment. The most notable returns were among the professional dancers, adding a layer of nostalgia to the groundbreaking season.

Key Personnel and Final Results

  • Hosts: Tyra Banks and Alfonso Ribeiro.
  • Judges: Len Goodman (Head Judge, in his final season), Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough.
  • Professional Dancers Returning/New: Mark Ballas (returning after 5 years), Louis van Amstel (returning after 7 years), Val Chmerkovskiy, Witney Carson, Gleb Savchenko, Artem Chigvintsev, Emma Slater, Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten, Peta Murgatroyd, Sasha Farber, Koko Iwasaki, Daniella Karagach, Pasha Pashkov, Cheryl Burke, and Ezra Sosa.

The Celebrity Cast and Their Final Placements

  • 1st Place (Winners): Charli D'Amelio (Social Media Personality) with Mark Ballas.
  • 2nd Place (Runner-Up): Gabby Windey (The Bachelorette) with Val Chmerkovskiy.
  • 3rd Place: Wayne Brady (Actor/Comedian) with Witney Carson.
  • 4th Place: Shangela (Drag Queen/Reality Star) with Gleb Savchenko.
  • 5th Place: Daniel Durant (Actor) with Britt Stewart.
  • 6th Place: Trevor Donovan (Actor) with Emma Slater.
  • 7th Place: Heidi D'Amelio (Media Personality) with Artem Chigvintsev.
  • 8th Place: Vinny Guadagnino (Reality Star) with Koko Iwasaki.
  • 9th Place: Jessie James Decker (Country Singer) with Alan Bersten.
  • 10th Place: Joseph Baena (Bodybuilder/Fitness Model) with Daniella Karagach.
  • 11th Place: Jordin Sparks (Singer) with Brandon Armstrong.
  • 12th Place (Withdrew): Selma Blair (Actress) with Sasha Farber.
  • 13th Place: Sam Champion (Weather Anchor) with Cheryl Burke.
  • 14th Place: Teresa Giudice (Reality Star) with Pasha Pashkov.
  • 15th Place: Cheryl Ladd (Actress) with Louis van Amstel.
  • 16th Place: Jason Lewis (Actor) with Peta Murgatroyd.

The Groundbreaking Move to Disney+ and Live Streaming Challenges

The single biggest story of Season 31 was its monumental shift to an exclusive streaming platform. The season premiered on September 19, 2022, marking the first time Dancing with the Stars aired on a streaming service and Disney+'s first-ever live telecast. This move was a massive gamble and a major technical undertaking for the production team, which had to adapt its live voting and broadcast systems to a digital-only environment.

The transition had several significant implications for the show and its audience:

1. Bypassing Commercial Breaks

Moving to Disney+ allowed the show to run without traditional commercial breaks, a format change that producers embraced. This meant more time for dancing, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content, resulting in a more fluid and fast-paced viewing experience. The show felt less disjointed, keeping the energy high throughout the two-hour runtime.

2. The Live Voting Conundrum

One of the biggest hurdles was managing live voting across different time zones. On ABC, the show aired live only on the East Coast, with West Coast viewers watching a tape-delayed broadcast. On Disney+, the show was streamed live across the entire continental U.S., forcing a new, condensed voting window that required viewers to be ready to vote immediately after the performances. This change was a learning curve for the audience, who were used to a more traditional voting timeline.

3. A Global Audience Shift

While the show remained U.S.-focused for voting, the move to a streaming platform inherently positioned DWTS for a broader, more digitally native audience. It was a clear signal of the franchise's commitment to modernization and capturing younger viewers, many of whom are already subscribers to Disney+.

The Controversy: Experienced Dancers and Fan Backlash

Every season of DWTS faces scrutiny over the casting of celebrities with prior dance training, but Season 31 brought this debate to a fever pitch. The primary source of controversy was the casting of Charli D'Amelio.

The Charli D'Amelio Factor

Charli D'Amelio, a global TikTok superstar, was known for her viral dance videos before joining the show. Her extensive background in competitive dance from a young age led many viewers to argue that she had an unfair advantage over the other celebrities. This pre-existing skill translated into consistently high scores from the judges, often leading the leaderboard from the very first week. While her performances were technically flawless and entertaining, the "ringer" debate persisted throughout the season, overshadowing the traditional narrative of a celebrity starting from scratch.

The Mother-Daughter Dynamic

The inclusion of both Charli and her mother, Heidi D'Amelio, as the first-ever mother-daughter duo competing simultaneously, added another layer of intrigue and, for some, complexity. This dynamic created a unique family storyline but also fueled the narrative that the season was heavily focused on the D'Amelio brand, further polarizing the audience.

The Triumphant Return of Mark Ballas and Key Emotional Moments

Despite the controversies, Season 31 was rich with emotional and memorable performances, largely due to the return of two beloved professional dancers.

Mark Ballas’s Long-Awaited Victory

Mark Ballas, a two-time mirrorball champion, returned to the ballroom after a five-year hiatus. His partnership with Charli D'Amelio was a masterclass in creativity and technical execution. Ballas's unique choreography, which often incorporated theatrical elements and complex storytelling, was a perfect match for D'Amelio's skill. Their win marked Ballas's third Mirrorball Trophy, cementing his status as one of the show's most successful and innovative pros. Their journey was a highlight, culminating in a perfect-scoring Jive and a breathtaking contemporary dance in the finale.

Selma Blair’s Inspiring Journey

Actress Selma Blair's participation was arguably the season's most inspiring storyline. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Blair faced significant physical challenges, including balance and coordination issues. Her decision to compete was a powerful statement of resilience. Her performances, especially her emotional Waltz, were consistently moving and earned her widespread support. Blair ultimately had to withdraw from the competition in Week 5 on the advice of her doctors, but her final dance—a graceful, unjudged performance—was one of the most poignant moments in the show's history, earning a standing ovation and tears from the judges and audience alike.

Shangela’s Historic Run

Shangela, a renowned drag queen, made history as the first drag queen to compete on the show. Partnered with Gleb Savchenko, their performances were characterized by high energy, elaborate costumes, and a fierce commitment to showmanship. Shangela’s journey to the finale was a significant moment for representation, breaking barriers and proving that the ballroom is a place for all forms of artistry and identity. Their dynamic partnership brought a new level of fabulousness to the competition, earning them a respectable fourth-place finish.

In summary, Dancing with the Stars Season 31 will forever be remembered as the season of change. It was a bold experiment in live streaming on Disney+, a showcase for the triumphant return of Mark Ballas, and a platform for both record-breaking talent and deeply emotional, inspiring celebrity journeys. The season successfully navigated its new digital home, proving that the magic of the Mirrorball Trophy competition can shine brightly on any screen.

dancing with the stars season 31
dancing with the stars season 31

Detail Author:

  • Name : Guillermo Gusikowski
  • Username : hans.wilkinson
  • Email : carlotta.lueilwitz@lynch.com
  • Birthdate : 1984-12-11
  • Address : 706 Stanton Highway Apt. 329 Benjaminport, TX 20866-4908
  • Phone : 857.233.3381
  • Company : Cartwright-Stamm
  • Job : Traffic Technician
  • Bio : Voluptatem tempore ducimus ea. Laudantium veniam deserunt dolorem quasi. A veritatis laborum hic dolorem est animi quos. Ut recusandae et molestiae totam.

Socials

linkedin:

tiktok:

facebook:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/emmerich2024
  • username : emmerich2024
  • bio : Voluptatibus necessitatibus quia itaque est eaque enim occaecati. Commodi qui molestiae provident voluptas voluptatem et officiis saepe.
  • followers : 4205
  • following : 966

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/noel_emmerich
  • username : noel_emmerich
  • bio : Optio nulla doloribus et nihil. Fuga minus officia ipsam aut cumque sed.
  • followers : 305
  • following : 1216

Random Posts