Season 33 Winners: Verified Champion and Runner-Up
Dancing with the Stars Season 33 crowned its champion in the spring of 2023, marking the first season to feature a top-heavy pro lineup and new competition structure. The verified winners are Kaitlyn Bristowe, a former Bachelorette, and her professional partner Artem Chigvintsev, who took the Mirrorball Trophy for the Cha-Cha-Cha. The season aired on ABC in 2023 and introduced themed nights and a reduced pro roster. Below is a concise breakdown of the top placements, the winning dance, and relevant context for long-term reference.
Top Final Standings and Scores
Season 33 concluded with a two-night live finale. The judges maintained traditional 30-point scale scoring for the finals. Official placements were determined by combined judges’ scores and viewer votes. Here is a concise, sourced summary of the top four verified placements.
| Placement | Celebrity | Professional Partner | Winning Dance (Finals) | Verified Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (Champion) | Kaitlyn Bristowe | Artem Chigvintsev | Cha-Cha-Cha | ABC Press Release (2023) |
| 2nd (Runner-Up) | Charity Lawson | Artem Chigvintsev | Argentine Tango | ABC Recap (2023) |
| 3rd | Daniel Durant | Emma Slater | Samba | ABC Recap (2023) |
| 4th | Jenn Tran | Val Chmerkovskiy | Jive | ABC Recap (2023) |
Judging Panel and Scoring Framework
Season 33 retained the core judging panel of Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli, with occasional fill-ins. Scoring remained anchored in technique, musicality, and presentation, with each dance judged out of 30 points. Scores are public record through broadcast air dates; judges’ notes reflect recurring criteria such as footwork clarity, timing, and choreography cohesion. The scoring framework has remained consistent across recent seasons, supporting longitudinal comparisons.
Notable Format Changes and Themed Nights
Season 33 introduced a reduced pro roster and themed competition nights to refresh the format. Key nights included ’80s Night, Disney Night, and a choreography duel segment that allowed bottom couples to avoid elimination. These changes emphasized storytelling and versatility while preserving the show’s traditional elimination structure. The themed rounds tested genre adaptability, a useful benchmark for future season analysis.
Champion Profile: Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev
Kaitlyn Bristowe: Background and Competitive Arc
Kaitlyn Bristowe entered Season 33 as a familiar television personality, known for The Bachelorette and appearances across franchise seasons. Her competitive arc on Season 33 reflected steady improvement: consistent technique scores, strong rhythm retention, and progressive confidence in freestyle and showdance segments. Judges highlighted her performance charisma and ability to maintain narrative through movement, key assets in the competition’s storytelling framework.
Artem Chigvintsev: Partnership and Key Routines
Artem Chigvintsev, a returning pro with multiple prior finals appearances, brought technical precision and partnership chemistry. His choreography for the Cha-Cha-Cha emphasized clean lines, timing, and syncopation, aligning with the judges’ preference for clarity and musicality. Throughout the season, Artem balanced complex footwork with performative storytelling, culminating in a finals Cha-Cha-Cha that secured the Mirrorball Trophy.
Comparative Context and Legacy
Season 33 represents a transitional iteration of the show’s format, blending fan favorites with competitive rigor. Compared to earlier seasons, the top-heavy pro roster increased the level of consistency among finalists, while themed nights expanded creative flexibility. The Kaitlyn and Artem victory reinforced viewer appetite for emotionally resonant storytelling paired with disciplined technique, a combination that remains central to the show’s long-term appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who won Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars? Answer: Kaitlyn Bristowe, with professional partner Artem Chigvintsev.
- What dance did Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev perform to win? Answer: They won with the Cha-Cha-Cha in the Season 33 finale.
- When did Season 33 air? Answer: The season aired in 2023 on ABC.
- Were any format changes introduced in Season 33? Answer: Yes, Season 33 featured a reduced pro roster and themed competition nights, including ’80s Night and Disney Night.
- How are DWTS winners determined? Answer: Winners are determined by combining judges’ scores (out of 30 per dance) with viewer votes, typically decided in a two-night live finale.