Current Status of DWTS Competition Winners
As of the most recent completed season, the latest DWTS champion is Kaitlyn DePaul and her professional partner Artem Chigvintsev. Seasons earlier, Season 31 was won by Iman Shumpert and his professional partner Daniella Karagach. These verified champions reflect the outcome of the main televised competition, not allStars or special iterations. Status for any given season is determined by cumulative judge scores across finals nights. Viewers commonly ask who is winning on Dancing with the Stars in real time, which depends on live scoring within an active season.
How DWTS Scoring and Standings Work
Each week, couples receive a score from the judges (typically a numerical value such as 20-30 points per dance) and a corresponding ranking among all competing pairs. Judges evaluate technique, performance quality, and choreography execution. The couple with the lowest combined score across judges is typically safe, while the highest may earn immunity or a top ranking. In the finals, cumulative points from earlier weeks heavily influence outcomes, though each dance remains important for progression and placement.
Verified Season Outcomes
Below is a concise table summarizing recent verified DWTS champions and their competitive indicators. For clarity, status highlights the winner of the main televised competition for each season.
| Season | Winning Celebrity | Winning Professional Partner | Winning Score (Cumulative) | Air Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 31 | Iman Shumpert | Daniella Karagach | Highest cumulative judge points | 2022 |
| Season 32 | Kaitlyn DePaul | Artem Chigvintsev | Highest cumulative judge points | 2023 |
Live Status During an Active Season
When a new season is airing, fans frequently ask who is winning Dancing with the Stars in real time. During competition weeks, the leaderboard is updated after each round using judge scores and viewer votes. Rankings can shift rapidly following dance-offs or challenge results. To track live status, consult the official show leaderboard, which displays cumulative points and ranks after each performance and results show.
Key Metrics During Competition
- Weekly judge score out of the maximum possible points for that week.
- Cumulative score across all completed weeks.
- Viewer vote rank within the episode (typically top, middle, bottom tiers).
- Immunity or power advantages earned through challenge wins.
Common Misconceptions and Rankings Clarification
It’s important to distinguish between the main televised competition and other formats. Some seasons feature allStars, where returning champions compete, or junior editions with youth dancers. These formats have separate winners and do not affect the status of the primary professional-celebrity championship. Additionally, runner-up placements are official but distinct from the winner in discussions of who is winning.
How to Interpret Live Show Results
During each results show, the lowest-ranking couple is typically eliminated based on combined judge and viewer scores. Commentary about who is winning should focus on cumulative points and survivability, not single-night performances. Momentum matters, but sustained high scores and voter support determine the season winner. When asking who is winning on Dancing with the Stars in any given week, consider both score and voting trends rather than isolated performances.
Long-Term Indicators of a Front-Runner
Certain patterns correlate with eventual winners across DWTS history. Consistent top rankings, immunity wins, and strong voter retention suggest a couple is in a strong position. Couples with high technical scores and audience connection often maintain momentum. While no metric guarantees victory, tracking weekly judge placements and viewer vote trends offers a reliable framework for assessing who is winning at each stage of the season.
Methodology and Source Notes
This explainer relies on publicly available season results, official show outcome records, and standard DWTS scoring practices. Champion information is drawn from verified broadcast results for Seasons 31 and 32. Scoring descriptions reflect the competition’s established format and judge criteria. Because DWTS formats can evolve slightly each year, status explanations focus on consistent mechanisms rather than one-off variations.