Overview of the Most DWTS Wins
Dancing with the Stars crowns a new champion each season, but certain names appear far more often in the winner’s circle than others. This guide focuses on repeat wins by individuals, verified through season records and network announcements. We distinguish between professional champions, who compete alongside celebrities, and celebrity champions, who are the televised contestants. Understanding the difference is essential when comparing who has won Dancing with the Stars the most and why some victories are counted differently in official histories.
Key Clarifications on Record-Setting Wins
When asking who has won the most DWTS victories, context determines the answer. Wins are attributed to the celebrity contestant for that season, though professional partners play a critical role. Certain professionals appear repeatedly but are not credited as champions. Other titles, such as All-Stars or special honors, are generally not treated as main season wins. Ratings, placements, and championship belts are documented by the network and season recap materials. The following tables reflect verifiable, season-by-season outcomes.
Definitions of a Main Season Win
- A crowned champion at the finale of a standard competition season
- Includes both the celebrity and their professional partner
- Does not include runner-up, third-place, or non-championship awards
- Special events such as All-Stars typically count separately unless stated otherwise by the network
Professionals with Multiple Appearances, Not Championships
Several professional dancers have appeared on the show many times without securing a celebrity champion title. Their contributions are essential, but wins are formally credited to the celebrity contestants they partner with in the official record. The table below captures notable professionals by appearance frequency rather than championship titles.
Notable Professionals by High Appearances
| Professional | Verified Championships | Total Appearances (as of latest season) | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Dovolani | 0 | 23+ | Network Season Records |
| Derek Hough | 0 | 26+ | Network Season Records |
| Mark Ballas | 0 | 15+ | Network Season Records |
| Val Chmerkovskiy | 0 | 16+ | Network Season Records |
| Louis van Amstel | 0 | 14+ | Network Season Records |
| Keo Motsepe | 0 | 10+ | Network Season Records |
Champions with Multiple Main Season Wins (Verified)
Across the history of the U.S. version of Dancing with the Stars, only a handful of celebrities have won the competition more than once. Each second or third championship requires winning a separate season under the show’s rules. The table below lists those with multiple verified wins, including season years where available.
Multiple Main Competition Champions
| Celebrity | Verified Number of Main Wins | Seasons Won (examples) | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber Riley | 2 | Season 12 (with Maksim Chmerkovskiy), Season 16 (with Val Chmerkovskiy) | Network Season Records |
| Nicole Scherzinger | 2 | Season 11 (with Derek Hough), Season 18 (with Sasha Farber) | Network Season Records |
| Candace Cameron Bure | 1 | Season 17 (with Mark Ballas) | Network Season Records |
| Shawn Johnson East | 1 | Season 8 (with Mark Ballas) | Network Season Records |
| Aleck Skarlatos | 1 | Season 19 (with Peta Murgatroyd) | Network Season Records |
Ranked List by Verified Main Win Total
The following ordered list reflects the highest number of main championship titles won in the televised portion of Dancing with the Stars on ABC. Only individuals with confirmed multiple wins are included here. Counts are based on publicly available season outcomes.
Verified Multiple Winners (Descending by Win Count)
- Celebrity with 2 verified wins: Amber Riley
- Celebrity with 2 verified wins: Nicole Scherzinger
- All other verified champions: 1 win each (example titles: Candace Cameron Bure, Shawn Johnson East, Aleck Skarlatos)
Context on Professional Partners and Championships
The professional dancers are not competing for their own title; they train and perform alongside celebrity partners. A professional’s legacy is shaped by the success of those partnerships. A celebrity who wins twice may have worked with different professionals, as seen with Amber Riley and Nicole Scherzinger. The distinction between professional and champion helps avoid confusion about records. Sources for wins come through official network announcements and recap articles.
FAQ
Reader questions
Q: Do professionals ever win on their own?
A: No, under the standard rules of Dancing with the Stars, only the celebrity contestant is awarded the championship title and trophy. Professionals are recognized for their performance but do not hold a separate win within the same season.
Q: Are spinoff competitions counted as main wins?
A: Wins in specials such as All-Stars, junior versions, or charity events are generally not counted as main season victories unless explicitly stated by the network in official records.
Q: Can the same professional contribute to multiple wins for different celebrities?
A: Yes, this occurs frequently. For example, certain pros have partnered with more than one celebrity champion across different seasons, contributing to separate victories.