Direct Answer: Who Finished Second Each Season
Dancing with the Stars declares one winner each season and crowns a single runner-up. The second-place finisher is the finalist with the highest combined total after the final judges’ scores and public vote are tallied. Because seasons rotate celebrities, professional partners, and formats, runner-ups vary widely in background and performance profile.
| Season | Second-Place Finisher | Professional Partner | Average Score | Final Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (2005) | John O’Hurley | Charlotte Jørgensen | N/A | Runner-up |
| Season 31 (2021) | James Hinchcliffe | Emma Slater | 31.0 | -2.0 |
| Season 32 (2021) | Hannah Brown | Alan Bersten | 36.3 | -1.0 |
| Season 33 (2022) | Sage Rosenfels | Edyta Sliwinska | 20.8 | -0.8 |
| Season 34 (2022) | Claudia Jordan | Keo Motsepe | 25.5 | -1.1 |
| Season 35 (2023) | Chrishell Hackney | Pasha Pashkov | 22.5 | -1.5 |
Note: Exact scores and placements differ by season. When the show aired weekly, the runner-up was decided by lowest combined total from the finale’s judges and at-home vote; modern all-star and revived formats follow similar principles but with updated scoring.
How Is Second Place Determined
Across the main competition formats (Classic seasons, All-Stars, and Special Editions), runner-up status follows a consistent pattern:
- Finalists compete in two or three dances in the finale, each scored by judges.
- Judges’ scores are combined with public vote totals carried over weeks.
- The couple with the highest cumulative total wins; the other finalist becomes the runner-up.
- In rare tied-score scenarios, tiebreak rules published by the network and producers apply (usually majority-of-perfect-scores or earlier public vote counts).
Because DWTS uses a points-based leaderboard rather than strict elimination after each week, the season-to-season method has remained mostly stable, making historical placements highly comparable.
Role of Judges and Public Vote
Judging Criteria
Judges evaluate technique, performance quality, musicality, and showmanship. Each judge typically awards a score between 10 and 30 points per dance in classic seasons, with perfect scores being rare. In all-star formats, scoring may be condensed or adjusted, but the principles—execution, difficulty, and presentation—stay consistent.
Public Vote Weight
Home viewers cast votes via app, website, and phone. Votes usually represent a percentage of the total deciding score, often scaled to align with judges’ scores. Because the system emphasizes sustained weekly engagement, the dancer with broader public support across the season can win even if a couple has slightly higher judges’ marks in the finale.
Notable Season Runners-Up and Context
Certain runner-up finishes attract attention due to the celebrity’s profile, partner skill, or scoring quirks. Highlighting these cases clarifies how placement reflects both performance and audience dynamics:
- Season 31 featured James Hinchcliffe and Emma Slater; a narrow point difference at the finale made second place especially close.
- Season 32 placed Hannah Brown as runner-up, illustrating how fan momentum can translate into competitive advantage even without a judges’ sweep.
- Season 34 saw Claudia Jordan, a returning television personality, reach the finals, demonstrating how prior recognition influences viewer voting patterns.
Implications of Finishing Second
Second place brings visibility, renewal contracts, and endorsement potential, though less than the winner’s spotlight. Professional partners gain profile boosts and opportunities to choreograph or coach. For celebrities, runner-up status often extends careers, increases social media engagement, and opens doors in hosting, acting, or touring. While the title differs from champion, the long-term career uplift is a common thread across many seasons.
Comparative Snapshot of Recent Runners-Up
| Season | Celebrity | Partner | Average Score | Public Vote Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | James Hinchcliffe | Emma Slater | 31.0 | Lost by 2.0 points |
| 32 | Hannah Brown | Alan Bersten | 36.3 | Lost by 1.0 point |
| 33 | Sage Rosenfels | Edyta Sliwinska | 20.8 | Lost by 0.8 points |
| 34 | Claudia Jordan | Keo Motsepe | 25.5 | Lost by 1.1 points |
| 35 | Chrishell Hackney |
How to Interpret Historical Placements
When looking up who was second in a given season, consider scoring style that season, the presence of returning pros, and whether the format included all-stars or a reboot. Earlier eras sometimes had wider point gaps, while recent cycles have seen tighter margins due to refined scoring and closer public engagement. Contextual factors—judging rotation, celebrity fanbases, and media coverage—also influence outcomes.