Dancing with the Stars (American season 21)


Season twenty-one of the American television competition series Dancing with the Stars premiered on September 14, 2015.
On November 24, 2015, Bindi Irwin and her partner Derek Hough were crowned champions. Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess finished second, Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold placed third. This season set records for the total number of perfect scores awarded and the number of stars to receive at least one perfect score with 7. Irwin also set a record with 8 perfect scores and became the second youngest winner of the show at 17 years old. This also marked Hough's sixth competitive win, extending his own record for the most wins for a professional dancer on the series.

Cast

Couples

On August 19, 2015, nine professional dancers were revealed during Good Morning America. Karina Smirnoff, who did not appear in season 20 returned for season 21. Anna Trebunskaya and Louis van Amstel would be returning after a five-season hiatus. Additionally, Lindsay Arnold would also be returning after spending the last four seasons in the troupe. While Peta Murgatroyd was originally announced as a professional, was sidelined for the season by an ankle injury, Allison Holker replaced her spot in the cast; Artem Chigvintsev and Kym Johnson also did not return. Bindi Irwin was the first celebrity revealed on August 24, on GMA; other celebrities were revealed at different dates through different media. The full cast of celebrities and professional dancers was revealed on September 2, 2015, on GMA.
During the show, two celebrities withdrew during the competition due to health issues, marking the first time two contestants withdrew in midseason.
CelebrityNotability Professional partnerStatusRef
Chaka KhanFunk & R&B singerKeo MotsepeEliminated 1st
on September 21, 2015
Victor EspinozaJockeyKarina SmirnoffEliminated 2nd
on September 22, 2015
Kim Zolciak-BiermannReality television starTony DovolaniWithdrew
on September 28, 2015
Gary BuseyFilm actorAnna TrebunskayaEliminated 3rd
on October 5, 2015
Paula DeenCelebrity chef & businesswomanLouis van Amstel
Mark Ballas
Eliminated 4th
on October 19, 2015
Hayes GrierVine & social media personalityEmma Slater
Allison Holker
Eliminated 5th
on October 26, 2015
Andy GrammerSinger-songwriterAllison Holker
Sharna Burgess
Eliminated 6th
on November 2, 2015
Alexa PenaVegaFilm & television actressMark Ballas
Derek Hough
Eliminated 7th
on November 9, 2015
Tamar BraxtonR&B singer & reality television starValentin Chmerkovskiy
Louis van Amstel
Withdrew
on November 11, 2015
Carlos PenaVegaBig Time Rush singer & actorWitney Carson
Lindsay Arnold
Eliminated 8th
on November 23, 2015
Alek SkarlatosLegion of Honour recipient & soldierLindsay Arnold
Emma Slater
Third place
on November 24, 2015
Nick CarterBackstreet Boys singerSharna Burgess
Witney Carson
Runner-up
on November 24, 2015
Bindi IrwinWildlife conservationist & actressDerek Hough
Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Winner
on November 24, 2015

Hosts and judges

and Erin Andrews returned as hosts, while judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, and Bruno Tonioli all returned this season. After twenty seasons, Len Goodman did not return this season as a judge; in a video message during the finale, Goodman announced he would return for season 22. Season 19 champion Alfonso Ribeiro filled in for Tom Bergeron on October 5, 2015, when Bergeron went to be with his ailing father Raymond Bergeron, who subsequently died on October 12, 2015. Leah Remini filled in as co-host on October 19 and October 26, 2015, while Erin Andrews covered the 2015 World Series with Fox.

Scoring charts

Average score chart

This table only counts dances scored on a 30-point scale; scores by guest judges are excluded. Extra points from the dance-offs are not included.
Rank by
average
PlaceCoupleTotal
points
Number
of dances
Average
11Bindi & Derek4741727.9
22Nick & Sharna4621727.2
34Carlos & Witney4261626.6
46Alexa & Mark3091225.8
55Tamar & Val3051225.4
63Alek & Lindsay4281725.2
77Andy & Allison2451024.5
88Hayes & Emma218924.2
99Paula & Louis123717.6
1012Victor & Karina52317.3
1110Gary & Anna82516.4
1211Kim & Tony49316.3
1313Chaka & Keo28214.0

Highest and lowest scoring performances

The best and worst performances in each dance according to the judges' 30-point scale are as follows:
DanceHighest scored dancerHighest scoreLowest scored dancerLowest score
SalsaNick Carter30Kim Zolciak-Biermann12
QuickstepCarlos PenaVega
Bindi Irwin
30Paula Deen15
Cha-cha-chaBindi Irwin27Chaka Khan13
FoxtrotCarlos PenaVega30Chaka Khan15
JiveNick Carter30Victor Espinoza17
RumbaBindi Irwin30Paula Deen
19
JazzAndy Grammer
Tamar Braxton
Bindi Irwin
30Gary Busey16
TangoAlexa PenaVega30Paula Deen
Gary Busey
18
Paso dobleCarlos PenaVega
Tamar Braxton
28Gary Busey15
ContemporaryNick Carter
Alexa PenaVega
30Tamar Braxton22
WaltzAlek Skarlatos30Bindi Irwin23
CharlestonBindi Irwin
Alexa PenaVega
30Tamar Braxton25
SambaNick Carter29Paula Deen15
Viennese WaltzBindi Irwin30Andy Grammer22
Argentine tangoBindi Irwin30Nick Carter24
Team danceNick Carter
Tamar Braxton
Hayes Grier
Andy Grammer
30Bindi Irwin
Alexa PenaVega
Carlos PenaVega
Alek Skarlatos
28
Team-up dancesBindi Irwin
Alexa PenaVega
30Alek Skarlatos
Carlos PenaVega
24
FreestyleCarlos PenaVega
Alek Skarlatos
Bindi Irwin
Nick Carter
30
Fusion danceNick Carter
Bindi Irwin
30Alek Skarlatos27

Couples' highest and lowest scoring dances

Scores are based upon a potential 30-point maximum.
CouplesHighest scoring danceLowest scoring dance
Bindi & DerekRumba, Argentine tango, Viennese Waltz, Charleston, Jazz, Quickstep, Freestyle & Argentine tango/Cha-cha-cha Fusion Waltz
Nick & SharnaContemporary, Salsa, Jive, Freestyle & Salsa/Tango Fusion Jive
Alek & LindsayWaltz & Freestyle Foxtrot, Quickstep & Rumba
Carlos & WitneyQuickstep, Foxtrot & Freestyle Cha-cha-cha
Tamar & ValJazz Samba
Alexa & MarkTango, Contemporary & Charleston Foxtrot
Andy & AllisonJazz Foxtrot & Jive
Hayes & EmmaContemporary Cha-cha-cha
Paula & LouisJive Quickstep & Samba
Gary & AnnaFoxtrot & Tango Cha-cha-cha & Paso doble
Kim & TonyQuickstep Salsa
Victor & KarinaRumba Salsa
Chaka & KeoFoxtrot Cha-cha-cha

Weekly scores

Individual judges' scores in the charts below are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.

Week 1: First Dances

Dance styles for this week: cha-cha-cha, foxtrot, jive, quickstep or salsa.
;Running order
CoupleScoresStyleSong / original artist
Victor & Karina15 Salsa"G.D.F.R."—Flo Rida feat. Sage the Gemini & Lookas
Tamar & Val23 Quickstep"Do Your Thing"—Basement Jaxx
Chaka & Keo13 Cha-cha-cha"I Feel for You"—Chaka Khan
Hayes & Emma21 Cha-cha-cha"Cheerleader"—OMI
Andy & Allison21 Foxtrot"Marvin Gaye"—Charlie Puth feat. Meghan Trainor
Paula & Louis15 Quickstep"Hey, Good Lookin'"—Carol Welsman
Carlos & Witney23 Jive"I Got You "—James Brown
Alexa & Mark22 Jive"Whistle "—Katy Tiz
Kim & Tony12 Salsa"Hey Mama"—David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha & Afrojack
Bindi & Derek24 Jive"Crocodile Rock"—Elton John
Gary & Anna15 Cha-cha-cha"Dancing in the Street"—David Bowie & Mick Jagger
Alek & Lindsay22 Foxtrot"Ten Feet Tall"—Afrojack feat. Wrabel
Nick & Sharna24 Cha-cha-cha"I Don't Like It, I Love It"—Flo Rida feat. Robin Thicke & Verdine White

Week 2: Hometown Glory

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 remaining pro partners, with another couple being eliminated. Charleston, contemporary, jazz, paso doble, rumba, tango, and waltz are introduced.
;Running order
CoupleScoresStyleSong / original artistResult
Nick & Sharna21 Jive"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy"—The Andrews SistersSafe
Paula & Louis19 Rumba"Midnight Train to Georgia"—Gladys Knight & the PipsSafe
Hayes & Emma22 Foxtrot"This Is How We Roll"—Florida Georgia Line feat. Luke BryanSafe
Chaka & Keo15 Foxtrot"Chicago "—Frank SinatraEliminated
Andy & Allison21 Jive"Only the Good Die Young"—Billy JoelSafe
Kim & Tony19 Quickstep"Queen Bee"—Rochelle DiamanteSafe
Alek & Lindsay23 Jazz"Don't Stop Believin'"—JourneySafe
Alexa & Mark24 Salsa"Que Es Lo Que Quiere Esa Nena"—El GeneralSafe
Victor & Karina17 Jive"La Bamba"—Ritchie ValensSafe
Tamar & Val24 Cha-cha-cha"We Are Family"—Sister SledgeSafe
Gary & Anna18 Foxtrot"Wouldn't It Be Nice"—The Beach BoysLast to be called safe
Carlos & Witney24 Foxtrot"Home"—Blake SheltonSafe
Bindi & Derek25 Tango"You Shook Me All Night Long"—AC/DCSafe

;Running order
CoupleScoresStyleSong / original artistResult
Hayes & Emma23 Quickstep"Are You Gonna Be My Girl"—JetSafe
Carlos & Witney21 Cha-cha-cha"Hound Dog"—Big Mama ThorntonSafe
Gary & Anna15 Paso doble"1812 Overture"—Pyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyLast to be called safe
Andy & Allison23 Contemporary"Heaven Is a Place on Earth"—Belinda CarlisleSafe
Alexa & Mark22 Rumba"Somewhere in Time" theme—John BarrySafe
Paula & Louis18 Tango"Get Ready"—The TemptationsSafe
Bindi & Derek23 Waltz"Only a Man"—Jonny LangSafe
Kim & Tony18 Foxtrot"Come Home"—OneRepublic feat. Sara BareillesSafe
Alek & Lindsay22 Quickstep"American Girl"—Elle KingSafe
Victor & Karina20 Rumba"Girl on Fire"—Alicia KeysEliminated
Nick & Sharna24 Foxtrot"Coming Home, Pt. II"—Skylar GreySafe
Tamar & Val25 Charleston"Living in New York City"—Robin ThickeSafe

Week 3: TV Night

Individual judges scores in the chart below are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Alfonso Ribeiro, Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
Couples performed one unlearned dance to famous TV theme songs; samba and Viennese Waltz are introduced.
After suffering a mini-stroke, Kim Zolciak-Biermann was able to rehearse, but her doctors refused to clear her for air travel. As a result, she was unable to attend the dress rehearsal and the live show, which, according to the show's rules, meant she would have to withdraw from the competition. Had she not withdrawn from the competition, either Andy & Allison or Paula & Louis would have been eliminated that night. Her dance partner, Tony Dovolani, performed their routine during the live show with stand-in Jenna Johnson. There was no additional elimination.
;Running order
CoupleScoresStyleSong / original artistTV showResult
Carlos & Witney31 Jazz"Thank You for Being a Friend"—Cynthia FeeThe Golden GirlsSafe
Paula & Louis20 Samba"The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle"—The EligiblesGilligan's IslandLast to be called safe
Tamar & Val33 Tango"A Beautiful Mine"—RJD2Mad MenSafe
Alexa & Mark36 Jazz"Breaking Bad Theme"—Dave PorterBreaking BadSafe
Andy & Allison29 Quickstep"Bandstand Boogie"—Larry ElgartAmerican BandstandLast to be called safe
Gary & Anna25 Tango"The Addams Family Theme"—Vic MizzyThe Addams FamilySafe
Alek & Lindsay33 Tango"Bad Things"—Jace EverettTrue BloodSafe
Kim & TonyN/ASamba"Jeannie"—Hugo MontenegroI Dream of JeannieWithdrew
Bindi & Derek32 Quickstep"Movin' on Up"—Ja'net DuboisThe JeffersonsSafe
Nick & Sharna36 Viennese Waltz"Did I Make the Most of Loving You?"—Mary-Jess LeaverlandDownton AbbeySafe
Hayes & Emma30 Jive"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Theme"—Chuck Lorre & Dennis C. BrownTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesSafe

Week 4: Most Memorable Year

Couples performed one unlearned dance to celebrate the most memorable year of their lives.
For the first time in the history of the program, Tom Bergeron did not appear as a host; he was absent to be with his ailing father. Alfonso Ribeiro filled in for Bergeron.
Pro dancer Allison Holker announced that she was pregnant with her second child. She continued to dance with Andy Grammer until their elimination several episodes later.
;Running order
CoupleScoresStyleSong / original artistResult
Alexa & Mark21 Foxtrot"Mama Said"—The ShirellesSafe
Gary & Anna16 Jazz"That'll Be the Day"—Buddy HollyEliminated
Tamar & Val27 Rumba"King"—Tamar BraxtonSafe
Hayes & Emma27 Contemporary"Stitches"—Shawn MendesSafe
Alek & Lindsay24 Paso doble"Wake Me Up"—AviciiSafe
Nick & Sharna27 Jazz"Everybody "—Backstreet BoysSafe
Carlos & Witney25 Waltz"Amazing Grace"—Ray ChewLast to be called safe
Paula & Louis18 Cha-cha-cha"Respect"—Aretha FranklinSafe
Andy & Allison23 Cha-cha-cha"Good to Be Alive "—Andy GrammerSafe
Bindi & Derek28 Contemporary"Every Breath You Take"—Aaron Krause feat. Liza AnneSafe

Week 5: Switch-Up Night

Individual judges scores in the chart below are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Bruno Tonioli.
Couples performed one unlearned dance with a different partner selected by the general public; due to the nature of the week, no elimination took place. Argentine tango is introduced.
Tom Bergeron also returned to his hosting duties this week; the episode was dedicated to the memory of his father, Raymond, who died earlier in the day.
;Running order
CoupleScoresStyleSong / original artist
Tamar & Louis29 Samba"End of Time"—Beyoncé
Hayes & Allison30 Viennese Waltz"Like I'm Gonna Lose You"—Meghan Trainor feat. John Legend
Paula & Mark26 Jive"Shake"—Otis Redding
Alek & Emma29 Rumba"Let It Go"—James Bay
Bindi & Val37 Cha-cha-cha"Hold My Hand"—Jess Glynne
Carlos & Lindsay39 Quickstep"Bossa Nova Baby"—Elvis Presley
Alexa & Derek40 Tango"Pompeii"—Bastille
Andy & Sharna36 Argentine tango"Can't Feel My Face"—The Weeknd
Nick & Witney35 Paso doble"Don't Look Down"—Martin Garrix feat. Usher

Week 6: Famous Dances Night

Individual judges scores in the chart below are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, Olivia Newton-John, Bruno Tonioli.
Couples performed one unlearned dance that paid tribute to iconic dance performances from films and music videos; Leah Remini filled in for Erin Andrews.
;Running order
CoupleScoresStyleSong / original artistResult
Hayes & Emma32 Jazz"You're the One That I Want"—John Travolta & Olivia Newton-JohnSafe
Andy & Allison40 Jazz"Good Morning"—Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly & Donald O'ConnorSafe
Alexa & Mark30 Cha-cha-cha"I'm a Slave 4 U"—Britney SpearsLast to be called safe
Bindi & Derek40 Rumba" The Time of My Life"—Bill Medley & Jennifer WarnesSafe
Paula & Louis24 Jazz"Vogue"—MadonnaEliminated
Carlos & Witney38 Rumba"Pony"—GinuwineSafe
Nick & Sharna39 Samba"You Should Be Dancing"—Bee GeesSafe
Alek & Lindsay30 Jive"Jailhouse Rock"—Elvis PresleySafe
Tamar & Val40 Jazz"Rhythm Nation"—Janet JacksonSafe

Week 7: Halloween Night

Couples performed one unlearned dance and a team dance to Halloween themes and songs; Leah Remini once again filled in for Erin Andrews.
;Running order

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. After a two-week absence covering the World Series for Fox, Erin Andrews returned as co-host.
;Running order
CoupleScoresStyleSong / original artistIconResult
Carlos & Witney27 Salsa"Valió la Pena"—Marc AnthonyMarc AnthonyLast to be called safe
Alek & Lindsay25 Contemporary"Holding Out for a Hero"—Ella Mae BowenChris KyleSafe
Andy & Allison22 Viennese Waltz"Isn't She Lovely"—Stevie WonderStevie Wonder/Kathryn GrammerEliminated
Alexa & Mark25 Argentine tango"Viva la Vida"—ColdplayDavidSafe
Nick & Sharna30 Contemporary"Can't Help Falling in Love"—Haley ReinhartLauren KittSafe
Bindi & Derek28 Foxtrot"Grace Kelly"—MIKAGrace KellySafe
Tamar & Val28 Paso doble"Born This Way"—Lady GagaToni BraxtonSafe

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, Nick and Sharna, received a three-point bonus. For the first time, the general public helped to determine the winner of each dance-off via the show's official website.
CoupleJudges' votesPublic voteStyleSong / original artistResult
Carlos & WitneyCarlos, Carlos, CarlosBindi Jive"Travelin' Band"—Creedence Clearwater RevivalWinner
Bindi & DerekCarlos, Carlos, CarlosBindi Jive"Travelin' Band"—Creedence Clearwater RevivalLoser
Alexa & MarkAlexa, Tamar, TamarAlexa Cha-cha-cha"Fun"—Pitbull feat. Chris BrownWinner
Tamar & ValAlexa, Tamar, TamarAlexa Cha-cha-cha"Fun"—Pitbull feat. Chris BrownLoser
Andy & AllisonAndy, Andy, AndyAndy Samba"Lean On"—Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. MØWinner
Alek & LindsayAndy, Andy, AndyAndy Samba"Lean On"—Major Lazer & DJ Snake feat. MØLoser

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 dress rehearsal footage. Braxton did return just in time for her team-up dance with Nick & Sharna. However, she subsequently withdrew from the competition after her doctors discovered pulmonary embolisms in her lungs.
;Running order

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 earlier in the week, all four couples advanced directly to the finals.
;Running order
Couple
ScoresStyleSong / original artistResult
Bindi & Derek
27 Salsa"You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile"—SiaLast to be called safe
Bindi & Derek
30 Jazz"Resolve"—Nathan LanierLast to be called safe
Alek & Lindsay
30 Waltz"America the Beautiful"—Ray ChewSafe
Alek & Lindsay
27 Argentine tango"Ex's & Oh's"—Elle KingSafe
Carlos & Witney
28 Contemporary"Drag Me Down"—One DirectionSafe
Carlos & Witney
29 Charleston"Booty Swing"—Parov StelarSafe
Nick & Sharna
24 Tango"Scars"—Alesso feat. Ryan TedderLast to be called safe
Nick & Sharna
30 Salsa"No Doubt About It"—Empire cast feat. Jussie Smollett & PitbullLast to be called safe

Week 11: Finals

On the first night, couples danced a previously-learned style to a new song that was coached by one of the three judges, as well as a freestyle routine.
On the second night, the three remaining finalists performed a fusion challenge that was learned in only 24 hours.
;Running order
CoupleScoresStyleSong / original artistResult
Carlos & Witney30 Foxtrot"The Hills"—The WeekndEliminated
Carlos & Witney30 Freestyle"WTF "—Missy Elliott feat. Pharrell WilliamsEliminated
Alek & Lindsay27 Rumba"The Pieces Don't Fit Anymore"—James MorrisonSafe
Alek & Lindsay30 Freestyle"Marchin On"—OneRepublicSafe
Nick & Sharna30 Jive"Runaway Baby"—Bruno MarsLast to be called safe
Nick & Sharna30 Freestyle"Larger Than Life"—Backstreet BoysLast to be called safe
Bindi & Derek30 Quickstep"Dr. Bones"—Cherry Poppin' DaddiesSafe
Bindi & Derek30 Freestyle"Footprints in the Sand"—Leona LewisSafe

;Running order
CoupleScoresStyleSong / original artistResult
Nick & Sharna30 Salsa
Tango
"Turn Up the Music"—Chris BrownRunner-up
Alek & Lindsay27 Rumba
Tango
"A Sky Full of Stars"—ColdplayThird place
Bindi & Derek30 Argentine tango
Cha-cha-cha
"All the Way"—TimefliesWinner

Dance chart

The celebrities and professional partners danced one of these routines for each corresponding week:

Guest judges

There were three guest judges during the course of the season. The first, season 19 champion Alfonso Ribeiro, was a judge for Week 3. Former pro dancer and season 18 champion, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, joined the judging panel for Week 5. The following week, Olivia Newton-John appeared as a guest judge for Famous Dances Night.

Guest performances

Ratings

U.S. Nielsen Ratings