Dancing with the Stars is known for show-stopping, elaborate performances from celebrity contestants and troupe members alike. When the show moved from ABC to Disney+ in 2022, many fans were concerned that the dances, audience participation, and general style of the show would not be the same. Thankfully, with the addition of Alfonso Ribero as co-host and the variety of contestants, Dancing with the Stars season 31 was a success.
With contestants like The Bachelorette’s Gabby Windey, Jersey Shore’s Vinny Guadagnino, The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Theresa Giudice, and RuPaul’s Drag Race legend Shangela, the season’s competition was fierce from the very beginning. Nearly every week, the ballroom said goodbye to one (sometimes two) contestants, with the most heartbreaking exit coming from Selma Blair in week 5 when she was advised by her doctors to pull out of the competition. Though only one pair was crowned the winner of Dancing with the Stars season 31, there were plenty of memorable moments in the ballroom this year.
Daniel Durant & Britt Stewart - Week 8
Daniel Durant, star of the Academy Award-winning film Coda, and his partner Britt Stewart danced a jazz routine where they gave the audience a taste of what it's like to dance as a deaf person. The pair arranged to have the music stop in the middle of their dance to Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence” on a ‘90s night. Daniel, who is deaf himself, made it to the semi-finals.
Charli D’Amelio & Mark Ballas - Week 5
TikTok sensation Charli D’Amelio, the breakout star and champion of DWTS season 31, performed a contemporary routine telling the story of her struggles with anxiety in week 5. Choreographed by longtime DWTS pro-dancer Mark Ballas, the dance depicted how anxiety causes her to struggle day-to-day. With Mark portraying the dark figure of anxiety lurking behind her and Charli portraying herself, the dance left the judges in awe of the raw emotions on display.
Selma Blair & Sasha Farber - Week 5
Selma Blair, who is best known for her roles in Legally Blonde, Cruel Intentions, and Hellboy, was a shocking addition to the DWTS season 31 cast due to her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. The autoimmune disease leaves the actress incredibly fragile and, at times, has difficulty moving or speaking. Selma and her partner, Sasha Farber, had to withdraw from the competition in week 5 due to her illness, but before their departure danced a beautiful Viennese Waltz that left the audience, judges, and fans in tears.
Gabby Windey & Val Chmerkovskiy - Week 6
One of this season’s stars of The Bachelorette, Gabby Windey, was an ICU nurse before appearing on the successful franchise. She's been dancing since she was 12 years old and spent several years on the Denver Broncos cheerleading team. Her rumba with partner Val Chmerkovskiy left fans amazed, and Gabby agreed with the sentiment. She took to Instagram, explaining, “The rumba was deceptively difficult but thanks to @valentin ‘s teaching, patience, and creativity it was a joy to perform. Thanks to him I am now officially hooked on the drug that is ballroom dance.”
Shangela & Gleb Savchenko - Week 9
Shangela, one of the most famous queens to come out of RuPaul’s Drag Race to date, took to the ballroom to turn heads on Dancing with the Stars season 31. With partner Gleb Savchenko, Shangela spent weeks of the competition challenging the norms of ballroom dancing, much to the excitement of the viewers. Though Shangela and Gleb’s freestyle dance was show-stopping, their moving Viennese Waltz to Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” was a standout for the season.
Source: Gabby Windey/Instagram