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Dancing with the Stars 21
Dwts-21-poster
Presented By: Tom Bergeron
Erin Andrews
Judges: Carrie Ann Inaba
Bruno Tonioli
Julianne Hough
Broadcast
Original Channel: ABC
Original Run: 14 September 2015 –
24 November 2015
Season Champions
Celebrity Winner: Bindi Irwin
Professional Winner: Derek Hough
Series Chronology
← previous
Season 20
next →
Season 22

The twenty-first season of Dancing with the Stars premiered 14 September 2015.

Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews returned as hosts. Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough and Bruno Tonioli returned as judges. After twenty seasons as a judge, Len Goodman did not return this season.

On 24 November 2015, wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough were announced as the winners, singer Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess placed second, and soldier Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold placed third.

Development[]

Nine professional dancers were revealed during Good Morning America 19 August 2015. Karina Smirnoff, who did not appear in Season 20, returned for Season 21. Anna Trebunskaya and Louis van Amstel returned after a five-season hiatus. Additionally, Lindsay Arnold returned after spending the last four seasons in the troupe. While Peta Murgatroyd (who was to be paired with Andy Grammer) was originally announced as a professional, but sidelined for the season by an ankle injury; she was replaced by Allison Holker. Artem Chigvintsev and Kym Johnson also did not return. Bindi Irwin was the first celebrity revealed 24 August on GMA; other celebrities were revealed at different dates through different media. The full cast of celebrities and professional dancers was revealed 2 September 2015 on GMA.

During the show, two celebrities, Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Tamar Braxton, withdrew during the competition, marking the first time two contestants withdrew midseason.

Couples[]

Celebrity Known for Professional Partner Result
Chaka21Closeup Chaka
Khan
Singer Keo21Closeup Keo
Motsepe
Eliminated 1st
on 21 September 2015
Victor21Closeup Victor
Espinoza
Jockey Karina21Closeup Karina
Smirnoff
Eliminated 2nd
on 22 September 2015
Kim21Closeup Kim
Zolciak
Biermann
Reality
television
star
Tony21Closeup Tony
Dovolani
Withdrew
on 28 September 2015
Gary21Closeup Gary
Busey
Actor Anna21Closeup Anna
Trebunskaya
Eliminated 3rd
on 5 October 2015
Paula21Closeup Paula
Deen
Celebrity chef
& entrepreneur
Louis21Closeup Louis
van Amstel
Eliminated 4th
on 19 October 2015
Hayes21Closeup Hayes
Grier
Social
media
personality
Emma21Closeup Emma
Slater
Eliminated 5th
on 26 October 2015
Andy21Closeup Andy
Grammer
Singer Allison21Closeup Allison
Holker
Eliminated 6th
on 2 November 2015
Alexa21Closeup Alexa
PenaVega
Actress Mark21Closeup Mark
Ballas
Eliminated 7th
on 9 November 2015
Tamar21Closeup Tamar
Braxton
Singer
& reality
television
star
Val21Closeup Val
Chmerkovskiy
Withdrew
on 11 November 2015
Carlos21Closeup Carlos
PenaVega
Singer &
actor
Witney21Closeup Witney
Carson
Eliminated 8th
on 23 November 2015
Alek21Closeup Alek
Skarlatos
Legion of Honour
recipient
& soldier
Lindsay21Closeup Lindsay
Arnold
Third Place
Nick21Closeup Nick
Carter
Singer Sharna21Closeup Sharna
Burgess
Runner-Up
Bindi21Closeup Bindi
Irwin
Wildlife
conservationist,
presenter
& actress
Derek21Closeup Derek
Hough
Winner

Scoring Chart[]

Scoring Chart 21

Average Score Chart[]

Rank by
Average
Place Couple Total
Points
Number
of Dances
Average
1 1 Bindi & Derek 474 17 27.9
2 2 Nick & Sharna 462 27.2
3 4 Carlos & Witney 426 16 26.6
4 6 Alexa & Mark 309 12 25.8
5 5 Tamar & Val 305 12 25.4
6 3 Alek & Lindsay 428 17 25.2
7 7 Andy & Allison 245 10 24.5
8 8 Hayes & Emma 218 9 24.2
9 9 Paula & Louis 123 7 17.6
10 12 Victor & Karina 52 3 17.3
11 10 Gary & Anna 82 5 16.4
12 11 Kim & Tony 49 3 16.3
13 13 Chaka & Keo 28 2 14.0

Highest- and Lowest-Scoring Performances[]

Dance Highest-Scored Dancer(s) Highest Score Lowest-Scored Dancer(s) Lowest Score
Salsa Nick Carter 30 Kim Zolciak-Biermann 12
Quickstep Carlos PenaVega
Bindi Irwin
30 Paula Deen 15
Cha-Cha-Cha Bindi Irwin 27 Chaka Khan 13
Foxtrot Carlos PenaVega 30 Chaka Khan 15
Jive Nick Carter 30 Victor Espinoza 17
Rumba Bindi Irwin 30 Paula Deen 19
Jazz Andy Grammer
Tamar Braxton
Bindi Irwin
30 Gary Busey 16
Tango Alexa PenaVega 30 Paula Deen
Gary Busey
18
Paso Doble Carlos PenaVega
Tamar Braxton
28 Gary Busey 15
Contemporary Nick Carter
Alexa PenaVega
30 Tamar Braxton 22
Waltz Alek Skarlatos 30 Bindi Irwin 23
Charleston Bindi Irwin
Alexa PenaVega
30 Tamar Braxton 25
Samba Nick Carter 29 Paula Deen 15
Viennese Waltz Bindi Irwin 30 Andy Grammer 22
Argentine Tango Bindi Irwin 30 Nick Carter 24
Team dance Nick Carter
Tamar Braxton
Hayes Grier
Andy Grammer
30 Bindi Irwin
Alexa PenaVega
Carlos PenaVega
Alek Skarlatos
28
Team-up dances Bindi Irwin
Alexa PenaVega
30 Alek Skarlatos
Carlos PenaVega
24
Freestyle Carlos PenaVega
Alek Skarlatos
Bindi Irwin
Nick Carter
30
Fusion challenge Nick Carter
Bindi Irwin
30 Alek Skarlatos 27

Couples' Highest and Lowest-Scoring Dances[]

Couples Highest-Scoring Dance(s) Lowest-Scoring Dance(s)
Bindi & Derek Rumba, Argentine Tango, Viennese Waltz, Charleston, Jazz,
Quickstep, Freestyle & Argentine Tango/Cha-Cha-Cha Fusion (30)
Waltz (23)
Nick & Sharna Contemporary, Salsa, Jive, Freestyle & Salsa/Tango Fusion (30) Jive (21)
Alek & Lindsay Waltz & Freestyle (30) Foxtrot, Quickstep & Rumba (22)
Carlos & Witney Quickstep, Foxtrot & Freestyle (30) Cha-Cha-Cha (21)
Tamar & Val Jazz (30) Samba (21)
Alexa & Mark Tango, Contemporary & Charleston (30) Foxtrot (21)
Andy & Allison Jazz (30) Foxtrot & Jive (21)
Hayes & Emma Contemporary (27) Cha-Cha-Cha (21)
Paula & Louis Jive (20) Quickstep & Samba (15)
Gary & Anna Foxtrot & Tango (18) Cha-Cha-Cha & Paso Doble (15)
Kim & Tony Quickstep (19) Salsa (12)
Victor & Karina Rumba (20) Salsa (15)
Chaka & Keo Foxtrot (15) Cha-Cha-Cha (13)

Weekly Scores[]

Unless indicated otherwise, individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough and Bruno Tonioli.

Week 1[]

  • The couples performed Cha-Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Salsa, Quickstep or Jive.
Couple Scores Dance Music
Victor & Karina 15 (5, 5, 5) Salsa "G.D.F.R." - Flo Rida ft. Sage the Gemini & Lookas
Tamar & Val 23 (8, 7, 8) Quickstep "Do Your Thing" - Basement Jaxx
Chaka & Keo 13 (5, 4, 4) Cha-Cha-Cha "I Feel for You" - Chaka Khan
Hayes & Emma 21 (7, 7, 7) Cha-Cha-Cha "Cheerleader" - OMI
Andy & Allison 21 (7, 7, 7) Foxtrot "Marvin Gaye" - Charlie Puth ft. Meghan Trainor
Paula & Louis 15 (5, 5, 5) Quickstep "Hey, Good Lookin'" - Carol Welsman
Carlos & Witney 23 (8, 8, 7) Jive "I Got You (I Feel Good)" - James Brown
Alexa & Mark 22 (7, 7, 8) Jive "Whistle (While You Work It)" - Katy Tiz
Kim & Tony 12 (4, 4, 4) Salsa "Hey Mama" - David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack
Bindi & Derek 24 (8, 8, 8) Jive "Crocodile Rock" - Elton John
Gary & Anna 15 (5, 5, 5) Cha-Cha-Cha "Dancing in the Street" - David Bowie & Mick Jagger
Alek & Lindsay 22 (8, 7, 7) Foxtrot "Ten Feet Tall" - Afrojack ft. Wrabel
Nick & Sharna 24 (8, 8, 8) Cha-Cha-Cha "I Don't Like It, I Love It" - Flo Rida ft. Robin Thicke & Verdine White

Week 2: Hometown Glory Week[]

  • Couples had to prepare two new dances to be performed on two consecutive nights. On Monday, the couples performed routines that celebrated the hometowns of the celebrities, with one couple being eliminated at the end of the show.
  • On Tuesday, the remaining couples performed routines that celebrated the hometowns of the pro partners, with another couple being eliminated.
  • Charleston, Contemporary, Jazz, Rumba, Tango and Waltz are introduced.

Night 1

Couple Scores Dance Music Result
Nick & Sharna 21 (7, 7, 7) Jive "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" - The Andrews Sisters Safe
Paula & Louis 19 (7, 6, 6) Rumba "Midnight Train to Georgia" - Gladys Knight & the Pips Safe
Hayes & Emma 22 (8, 7, 7) Foxtrot "This Is How We Roll" - Florida Georgia Line ft. Luke Bryan Safe
Chaka & Keo 15 (5, 5, 5) Foxtrot "Chicago (That Toddlin' Town)" - Frank Sinatra Eliminated
Andy & Allison 21 (7, 7, 7) Jive "Only the Good Die Young" - Billy Joel Safe
Kim & Tony 19 (7, 6, 6) Quickstep "Queen Bee" - Rochelle Diamante Safe
Alek & Lindsay 23 (8, 7, 8) Jazz "Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey Safe
Alexa & Mark 24 (8, 8, 8) Salsa "Que Es Lo Que Quiere Esa Nena" - El General Safe
Victor & Karina 17 (6, 5, 6) Jive "La Bamba" - Ritchie Valens Safe
Tamar & Val 24 (8, 8, 8) Cha-Cha-Cha "We Are Family" - Sister Sledge Safe
Gary & Anna 18 (6, 6, 6) Foxtrot "Wouldn't It Be Nice" - The Beach Boys Last to be called safe
Carlos & Witney 24 (8, 8, 8) Foxtrot "Home" - Blake Shelton Safe
Bindi & Derek 25 (9, 8, 8) Tango "You Shook Me All Night Long" - AC/DC Safe

Night 2

Couple Scores Dance Music Result
Hayes & Emma 23 (8, 7, 8) Quickstep "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" - Jet Safe
Carlos & Witney 21 (7, 7, 7) Cha-Cha-Cha "Hound Dog" - Big Mama Thornton Safe
Gary & Anna 15 (5, 5, 5) Paso Doble "1812 Overture" - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Last to be called safe
Andy & Allison 23 (8, 8, 7) Contemporary "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" - Belinda Carlisle Safe
Alexa & Mark 22 (7, 7, 8) Rumba "Somewhere in Time" Theme - John Barry Safe
Paula & Louis 18 (6, 6, 6) Tango "Get Ready" - The Temptations Safe
Bindi & Derek 23 (7, 8, 8) Waltz "Only a Man" - Jonny Lang Safe
Kim & Tony 18 (6, 6, 6) Foxtrot "Come Home" - OneRepublic ft. Sara Bareilles Safe
Alek & Lindsay 22 (7, 7, 8) Quickstep "American Girl" - Elle King Safe
Victor & Karina 20 (7, 6, 7) Rumba "Girl on Fire" - Alicia Keys Eliminated
Nick & Sharna 24 (8, 8, 8) Foxtrot "Coming Home, Pt. II" - Skylar Grey Safe
Tamar & Val 25 (8, 8, 9) Charleston "Living in New York City" - Robin Thicke Safe

Week 3: TV Week[]

  • Couples performed one unlearned dance to famous TV theme songs.
  • Samba and Viennese Waltz are introduced.
  • As a result of a mini-stroke, Kim Zolciak-Biermann was unable to attend the live show, and Tony performed their Samba with Jenna Johnson. It was later announced that Kim would have to withdraw from the competition, as stated by the rules of the show. In light of the situation, no couple was eliminated.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Alfonso Ribeiro, Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.

Couple Scores Dance Music TV Show Result
Carlos & Witney 31 (7, 8, 8, 8) Jazz "Thank You for Being a Friend" - Cynthia Fee The Golden Girls Safe
Paula & Louis 20 (5, 5, 5, 5) Samba "The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle" - The Eligibles Gilligan's Island Last to be called safe
Tamar & Val 33 (8, 9, 8, 8) Tango "A Beautiful Mine" - RJD2 Mad Men Safe
Alexa & Mark 36 (9, 9, 9, 9) Jazz "Breaking Bad Theme" - Dave Porter Breaking Bad Safe
Andy & Allison 29 (7, 7, 8, 7) Quickstep "Bandstand Boogie" - Larry Elgart American Bandstand Last to be called safe
Gary & Anna 25 (6, 7, 6, 6) Tango "The Addams Family Theme" - Vic Mizzy The Addams Family Safe
Alek & Lindsay 33 (8, 8, 9, 8) Tango "Bad Things" - Jace Everett True Blood Safe
Kim & Tony N/A Samba "Jeannie" - Hugo Montenegro I Dream of Jeannie Withdrew
Bindi & Derek 32 (8, 8, 8, 8) Quickstep "Movin' on Up" - Ja'net Dubois The Jeffersons Safe
Nick & Sharna 36 (9, 9, 9, 9) Viennese Waltz "Did I Make the Most of Loving You?" - Mary-Jess Leaverland Downton Abbey Safe
Hayes & Emma 30 (7, 8, 7, 8) Jive "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Theme" - Chuck Lorre & Dennis C. Brown Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Safe

Week 4: Most Memorable Year[]

  • Couples performed one previously unlearned dance to celebrate the most memorable year of their lives.
  • Season 19 champion Alfonso Ribeiro hosted in place of Tom Bergeron, who was taking time of to be with his ailing father. This marks Bergeron's first absence in the history of the show.
  • Allison Holker announced her pregnancy. She continued to dance with Andy Grammer.
Couple Scores Dance Music Result
Alexa & Mark 21 (7, 7, 7) Foxtrot "Mama Said" - The Shirelles Safe
Gary & Anna 16 (5, 6, 5) Jazz "That'll Be the Day" - Buddy Holly Eliminated
Tamar & Val 27 (9, 9, 9) Rumba "King" - Tamar Braxton Safe
Hayes & Emma 27 (9, 9, 9) Contemporary "Stitches" - Shawn Mendes Safe
Alek & Lindsay 24 (8, 8, 8) Paso Doble "Wake Me Up" - Avicii Safe
Nick & Sharna 27 (9, 9, 9) Jazz "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" - Backstreet Boys Safe
Carlos & Witney 25 (9, 8, 8) Waltz "Amazing Grace" - Ray Chew Last to be called safe
Paula & Louis 18 (6, 6, 6) Cha-Cha-Cha "Respect" - Aretha Franklin Safe
Andy & Allison 23 (7, 8, 8) Cha-Cha-Cha "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)" - Andy Grammer Safe
Bindi & Derek 28 (9, 9, 10) Contemporary "Every Breath You Take" - Aaron Krause ft. Liza Anne Safe

Week 5: The Switch-Up[]

  • Former pro and Season 18 champion Maksim Chmerkovskiy served as guest judge this week.
  • This week the contestants dance with another pro than usual.
  • Due to the nature of this week, no couple was eliminated.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.

Couple Scores Dance Music
Tamar & Louis 29 (7, 7, 8, 7) Samba "End of Time" - Beyoncé
Hayes & Allison 30 (8, 8, 7, 7) Viennese Waltz "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" - Meghan Trainor ft. John Legend
Paula & Mark 26 (7, 7, 6, 6) Jive "Shake" - Otis Redding
Alek & Emma 29 (8, 7, 7, 7) Rumba "Let It Go" - James Bay
Bindi & Val 37 (9, 9, 10, 9) Cha-Cha-Cha "Hold My Hand" - Jess Glynne
Carlos & Lindsay 39 (10, 10, 9, 10) Quickstep "Bossa Nova Baby" - Elvis Presley
Alexa & Derek 40 (10, 10, 10, 10) Tango "Pompeii" - Bastille
Andy & Sharna 36 (9, 9, 9, 9) Argentine Tango "Can't Feel My Face" - The Weeknd
Nick & Witney 35 (9, 9, 8, 9) Paso Doble "Don't Look Down" - Martin Garrix ft. Usher

Week 6: Famous Dances Night[]

  • Four-time Grammy award winner Olivia Newton-John served as guest judge this week.
  • Former contestant Leah Remini hosted in place of Erin Andrews due to Andrews' commitment with Fox to cover the 2015 World Series.
  • The couples performed dances inspired by iconic dances from movies and music videos.

Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Olivia Newton-John, Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.

Couple Scores Dance Music Result
Hayes & Emma 32 (8, 8, 8, 8) Jazz "You're the One That I Want" - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John Safe
Andy & Allison 40 (10, 10, 10, 10) Jazz "Good Morning" - Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor Safe
Alexa & Mark 30 (8, 7, 7, 8) Cha-Cha-Cha "I'm a Slave 4 U" - Britney Spears Last to be called safe
Bindi & Derek 40 (10, 10, 10, 10) Rumba "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes Safe
Paula & Louis 24 (6, 6, 6, 6) Jazz "Vogue" - Madonna Eliminated
Carlos & Witney 38 (10, 9, 9, 10) Rumba "Pony" - Ginuwine Safe
Nick & Sharna 39 (9, 10, 10, 10) Samba "You Should Be Dancing" - Bee Gees Safe
Alek & Lindsay 30 (8, 8, 7, 7) Jive "Jailhouse Rock" - Elvis Presley Safe
Tamar & Val 40 (10, 10, 10, 10) Jazz "Rhythm Nation" - Janet Jackson Safe

Week 7: Halloween Night[]

Couple Dance Score Music Result
Nick & Sharna Argentine Tango 24 (8, 8, 8) "Bring Me to Life" - Evanescence ft. Paul McCoy Safe
Hayes & Emma Waltz 26 (8, 9, 9) "Once Upon a Dream" - Lana Del Rey Eliminated
Alexa & Mark Paso Doble 27 (9, 9, 9) "Hora Zero" - Rodrigo y Gabriela Last to be called safe
Tamar & Val Foxtrot 24 (8, 8, 8) "People Are Strange" - The Doors Last to be called safe
Andy & Allison Paso Doble 26 (9, 9, 8) "The Beautiful People" - Marilyn Manson Safe
Bindi & Derek Argentine Tango 30 (10, 10, 10) "Cry Little Sister" - Gerard McMann Safe
Alek & Lindsay Viennese Waltz 25 (9, 8, 8) "Haunted" - Beyoncé Safe
Carlos & Witney Paso Doble 28 (9, 10, 9) "O Fortuna" - Carl Orff Safe
Andy & Allison
Hayes & Emma
Nick & Sharna
Tamar & Val
Freestyle
Team "Nightmare"
30 (10, 10, 10) "This Is Halloween" - Danny Elfman
Alek & Lindsay
Carlos & Witney
Alexa & Mark
Bindi & Derek
Freestyle
Team "Who You Gonna Call?"
28 (9, 10, 9) "Ghostbusters" - Ray Parker, Jr.

Week 8: Icons Night[]

  • Couples performed one unlearned dance that paid tribute to a personal icon of the celebrity's; the couple with the highest score earned an immunity from elimination, while the rest of the couples participated in dance-offs for extra points.
Couple Scores Dance Music Icon Result
Carlos & Witney 27 (9, 9, 9) Salsa "Valió la Pena" - Marc Anthony Marc Anthony Last to be called safe
Alek & Lindsay 25 (9, 8, 8) Contemporary "Holding Out for a Hero" - Ella Mae Bowen Chris Kyle Safe
Andy & Allison 22 (8, 7, 7) Viennese Waltz "Isn't She Lovely" - Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder/Kathryn Grammer Eliminated
Alexa & Mark 25 (9, 8, 8) Argentine Tango "Viva La Vida" - Coldplay David Safe
Nick & Sharna 30 (10, 10, 10) Contemporary "Can't Help Falling in Love" - Haley Reinhart Lauren Kitt Safe (Immunity)
Bindi & Derek 28 (10, 9, 9) Foxtrot "Grace Kelly" - MIKA Grace Kelly Safe
Tamar & Val 28 (9, 9, 10) Paso Doble "Born This Way" - Lady Gaga Toni Braxton Safe

Dance offs

  • For each dance-off, the couple with the highest remaining score picked the opponent against whom they wanted to dance; the chosen opponent was allowed to pick the dance style. The winner of each dance-off earned two points. The couple who won immunity received a three-point bonus. For the first time, the general public helped to determine the winner of each dance-off using Twitter.
Couple Judges' Votes Public Vote Dance Music Result
Carlos & Witney Carlos, Carlos, Carlos Bindi (64%) Jive "Travelin' Band" - Creedence Clearwater Revival Winner (two pts)
Bindi & Derek Loser
Alexa & Mark Alexa, Tamar, Tamar Alexa (76%) Cha-cha-cha "Fun" - Pitbull ft. Chris Brown Winner (two pts)
Tamar & Val Loser
Andy & Allison Andy, Andy, Andy Andy (54%) Samba "Lean On" - Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ Winner (two pts)
Alek & Lindsay Loser

Week 9: Showstoppers Night[]

  • Couples performed one unlearned dance and a musical theater-inspired team-up dance with another couple, which involved the celebrities dancing side-by-side to the same song and receiving the same set of scores from the judges for the routine.
  • During dress rehearsals, Tamar Braxton fell ill and was taken to the emergency room. She was unable to return for her contemporary dance; the judges' scores were based on their dress rehearsal footage. Braxton did return for her team-up dance with Nick & Sharna. However, the next day she withdrew from the competition after discovering pulmonary embolisms in her lungs.
Couple
(Duet Dance Partners)
Dance(s) Scores Music Result
Alek & Lindsay
(Carlos & Witney)
Salsa 24 (8, 8, 8) "Back It Up" - Prince Royce ft. Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull Safe
Paso Doble 24 (8, 8, 8) "We Will Rock You" - Queen (from We Will Rock You)
Alexa & Mark
(Bindi & Derek)
Contemporary 30 (10, 10, 10) "Make It Rain" - Ed Sheeran Eliminated
Charleston 30 (10, 10, 10) "All That Jazz" & "Hot Honey Rag" - Kander and Ebb (from Chicago)
Carlos & Witney
(Alek & Lindsay)
Argentine Tango 27 (9, 9, 9) "What Do You Mean?" - Justin Bieber Last to be called safe
Paso Doble 24 (8, 8, 8) "We Will Rock You" - Queen (from We Will Rock You)
Bindi & Derek
(Alexa & Mark)
Viennese Waltz 30 (10, 10, 10) "Roses and Violets" - Alexander Jean Safe
Charleston 30 (10, 10, 10) "All That Jazz" & "Hot Honey Rag" - Kander and Ebb (from Chicago)
Tamar & Val
(Nick & Sharna)
Contemporary 22 (8, 7, 7) "Wicked Game" - James Vincent McMorrow Safe
Rumba 27 (9, 9, 9) "Hey Jude" - The Beatles (from LOVE by Cirque du Soleil)
Nick & Sharna
(Tamar & Val)
Quickstep 28 (9, 9, 10) "A Cool Cat in Town" - Tape Five Safe
Rumba 27 (9, 9, 9) "Hey Jude" - The Beatles (from LOVE by Cirque du Soleil)

Week 10: Semifinals[]

  • Couples performed one unlearned dance and a trio dance involving an eliminated pro or a pro from past seasons of the show
  • Midway through the show, the four couples participated in dance-offs, with the winners receiving three points to be added to their total scores.
  • Due to the unexpected withdrawal of Tamar Braxton the previous week, all four couples advanced directly to the finals.
Couple
(Trio Dance Partner)
Dance Scores Music
Bindi & Derek
(Mark Ballas)
Salsa 27 (9, 9, 9) "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" - Sia
Jazz 30 (10, 10, 10) "Resolve" - Nathan Lanier
Alek & Lindsay
(Emma Slater)
Waltz 30 (10, 10, 10) "America the Beautiful" - Ray Chew
Argentine Tango 27 (9, 9, 9) "Ex's & Oh's" - Elle King
Carlos & Witney
(Karina Smirnoff)
Contemporary 28 (9, 9, 10) "Drag Me Down" - One Direction
Charleston 29 (9, 10, 10) "Booty Swing" - Parov Stelar
Nick & Sharna
(Peta Murgatroyd)
Tango 24 (8, 8, 8) "Scars" - Alesso ft. Ryan Tedder
Salsa 30 (10, 10, 10) "No Doubt About It" - Empire cast ft. Jussie Smollett & Pitbull

Dance-offs

Couple Judges' Votes Dance Music Result
Carlos & Witney Alek, Carlos, Carlos Cha-Cha-Cha "Fun" - Pitbull ft. Chris Brown Winner (three pts)
Alek & Lindsay Loser
Bindi & Derek Bindi, Bindi, Bindi Samba "Lean On" - Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ Winner (three pts)
Nick & Sharna Loser

Week 11: Finals[]

Night 1

Couple Dance(s) Scores Music Result
Carlos & Witney Foxtrot 30 (10, 10, 10) "The Hills" - The Weeknd Eliminated
Freestyle 30 (10, 10, 10) "WTF (Where They From)" - Missy Elliott ft. Pharrell Williams
Alek & Lindsay Rumba 27 (9, 9, 9) "The Pieces Don't Fit Anymore" - James Morrison Safe
Freestyle 30 (10, 10, 10) "Marchin On" - OneRepublic
Nick & Sharna Jive 30 (10, 10, 10) "Runaway Baby" - Bruno Mars Last to be called safe
Freestyle 30 (10, 10, 10) "Larger Than Life" - Backstreet Boys
Bindi & Derek Quickstep 30 (10, 10, 10) "Dr. Bones" - Cherry Poppin' Daddies Safe
Freestyle 30 (10, 10, 10) "Footprints in the Sand" - Leona Lewis

Night 2

Couple Dance Scores Music Result
Nick & Sharna Salsa/Tango fusion 30 (10, 10, 10) "Turn Up the Music" - Chris Brown Runner-Up
Alek & Lindsay Rumba/Tango fusion 27 (9, 9, 9) "A Sky Full of Stars" - Coldplay Third Place
Bindi & Derek Argentine Tango/Cha-Cha-Cha fusion 30 (10, 10, 10) "All the Way" - Timeflies Winner

Musical Guests[]

Date Guest Song(s) Dancers
23 November 2015 Meghan Trainor "Better When I'm Dancin'" /
"Like I'm Gonna Lose You
Meghan's dancers, DWTS professionals
Who Is Fancy, Ariana Grande, and Meghan Trainor "Boys like You"
24 November 2015 Chaka Khan "I'm Every Woman" DWTS professionals
Elle King "Ex's & Oh's Jenna Johnson
Andy Grammer "Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)" DWTS male professionals
Chaka Khan and Andy Grammer "Baby, It's Cold Outside" Tony Dovolani, Sasha Farber, Louis van Amstel, Anna Trebunskaya, Karina Smirnoff, Allison Holker
Alexander Jean "Roses and Violets" Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough
Nick Carter "I Will Wait"

Trivia[]

  • Karina Smirnoff returned after being absent last season.
  • Andy Grammer was originally supposed to dance with Peta Murgatroyd, but she had to withdraw, prior to the competition, due to an ankle injury that needed surgery. Instead, he was partnered with Allison Holker.
  • Kim Zolciak-Biermann was forced to withdraw from the competition in Week 3, due to a mini-stroke.
  • This season featured, for the first time ever, a week without Tom Bergeron as a host. He went to be with his father who was very ill.
    • Raymond Bergeron subsequently died 12 October 2015.
  • During the live show in Week 4, pro dancer Allison Holker announced that she was expecting her second child.
  • This marks the first time that Derek Hough has been on the losing team in a team dance.
  • On 2 November 2015, Nick Carter confirmed that he and his wife were expecting their first child, after trying to get pregnant for over a year.
    • They found out on the live show, that they were expecting a baby boy.
  • Tamar Braxton withdrew from the competition after discovering pulmonary embolisms in her lungs, making this the first season in the show's history to feature more than one celebrity withdrawal.
  • Bindi Irwin shares the title of youngest celebrity winner with Shawn Johnson, who was also seventeen at the time of her win.
  • Irwin also set a record with eight perfect scores in a season, surpassing the record of six held by Jennifer Grey, Meryl Davis, and Rumer Willis.
  • This marks the sixth win for Derek Hough, the most wins of any professional dancer.
  • Keo Motsepe wasn't just the first professional partner eliminated, he was the only professional partner eliminated that did not participate before Season 5 before all the professional partners that ever did.
  • The scores that are 21 or higher and the scores that are 20 or less are separated. (only couples that were eliminated before the team dance got 20 or less, and only couples that were part of a team dance got 21 or more.)
    • Every couple that received a 21 or higher received a perfect score. (Hayes received a perfect score in his team dance.)

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