ABC's Dancing with the Stars has been on the air for almost 30 seasons, and despite crowning some legendary winners, there have been times when the couple named Mirrorball Champions hasn't necessarily been regarded as the 'best.' Since both viewer votes and judges' scores determine the placement of the celebrity dancers, sometimes the actual 'best' dancer doesn't win.
A lot of seasons have had so many contenders that it seemed impossible for fans to pick who to root for, and they would have been happy with multiple couples taking the trophy home. Other times, there has been outrage over who was ultimately deemed the winning couple, leading to fans wanting a change in the way the votes are counted and winners are determined.
Evanna Lynch & Keo Motsepe
In Season 27, Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch surprised everyone when she turned out to be an underdog, sneaking her way into the finals and ultimately ending the season in third place.
In a controversial ending, Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess were crowned Mirrorball Champions, much to the dismay of viewers. Some argued that Evanna's progress each week and her connection with partner Keo Motsepe should have earned her the title instead.
Corbin Bleu & Karina Smirnoff
High School Musical alumni Corbin Bleu competed on the 17th season of the ABC dance show with partner Karina Smirnoff. They got second place, losing out to Glee star Amber Riley and partner Derek Hough.
Corbin and Amber went toe-to-toe in the finale, and though the latter got the Mirrorball Trophy, fans would have been happy to see Corbin and Karina take home the prize as well. He performed consistently throughout the season and proved that he could've easily had more solo dance numbers in the High School Musical films.
Nastia Liukin & Derek Hough
Former Olympian Nastia Liukin finished in fourth place during the 20th season of Dancing with the Stars, competing with fan-favorite professional dancer Derek Hough.
Despite scoring increasingly well throughout her time on the show, and even having to perform with pro Sasha Farber one week due to Derek's injury, Nastia's perfect scores didn't propel her into the finals. Instead, Rumer Willis and Val Chmerkovskiy were crowned champions, though Nastia and Derek would've been incredible winners as well.
Paige VanZant & Mark Ballas
Deaf contestant and former America's Next Top Model star Nyle DiMarco and his partner Peta Murgatroyd were worthy competitors of Season 22 of the hit dancing show, but professional fighter Paige VanZant and partner Mark Ballas would have also been ideal winners of a great season.
Paige and Mark formed a deep bond while competing, and improved with each dance they performed. Their friendship and genuine fondness for one another made their chemistry on the dance floor flourish, and it was hard not to root for their smiling faces. Mark brought out the best in his partner and Paige put together beautiful dances to showcase her talent.
Kel Mitchell & Witney Carson
Second place finisher of Season 28 Kel Mitchell and his partner Witney Carson were surprise standouts from their season. Nobody expected Kel to be so good coming into the show, but he proved everyone wrong when he stood up against Bachelorette Hannah Brown in the finale.
While champion Hannah Brown and her partner Alan were more consistent that season, Kel and Witney were definitely most improved, and the most fun to watch. Kel and Witney had it all; spunk, technique, and emotion. It's a shame they didn't take home the grand prize.
James Van Der Beek & Emma Slater
In perhaps one of the most shocking and heartbreaking eliminations in the show's history, Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek was ousted in fifth place on a season he should have won.
Due to the judges' save format, James and Fifth Harmony member Ally Brooke were in the bottom two, where the panel decided to save the latter. James, a frontrunner from the very beginning, and his partner Emma were very emotional following their exit, and fans were left wondering what their epic freestyle would've looked like had they made the finals.
Lindsey Stirling & Mark Ballas
Musician Lindsey Stirling and her longtime friend Mark Ballas were fan favorites on Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars. They ended the season in second place behind Disney star Jordan Fisher and partner Lindsay Arnold.
Lindsey and Mark's most iconic moment came in the form of their freestyle, where Lindsey emerged from a crowd of dancers playing the violin in the middle of her dance, all the while not missing a beat. If that doesn't scream winner material, it's hard to know what does.
Zendaya & Val Chmerkovskiy
Zendaya competed on the reality show when she was only 16, making her the youngest contestant at the time. The Disney star and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy were the runner-ups on their season, losing out to country singer Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough.
Zendaya and Val's dances were almost always perfect, and they even ended up having the highest scores on their dances during the finale. If judges' scores had been the only factor in determining a winner, Zendaya would've taken home the Mirrorball Trophy and been the youngest winner ever.
James Hinchcliffe & Sharna Burgess
By the time Sharna Burgess got her Mirrorball in Season 27, it was long overdue. Die-hard Sharna fans would argue she deserved the title most when she competed with Indy-car driver James Hinchcliffe in Season 24.
Not only were Sharna and James a talented dancing pair, but they also had electric chemistry that had viewers questioning their relationship with one another the whole season. Olympian Laurie Hernandez and her partner Val emerged victorious that season, but James and Sharna sure gave them a run for their money (plus, their freestyle is a must-watch).
Milo Manheim & Witney Carson
Dancing Season 27 was Zombies' star Milo Manheim and partner Witney Carson's to lose, and many fans are still confused just how they ended up losing.
The 17-year-old and his professional teammate were surprise favorites and had several perfect scores throughout the season. Their final freestyle, in which they were literally dancing on water, was the performance of a winner, and to this day there is still outrage over radio host Bobby Bones' victory over Milo's.