# A Look at All the 'Dancing With the Stars' Winners Over the Years
"Mirrorball Trophy > Olympic Gold Medal." That's how Cosmopolitan frames the prestige of "Dancing with the Stars," and it's a cheeky reminder that this reality competition has become one of television's most enduring fixtures. Since its premiere in 2005, the show has crowned 33 winners across its run on ABC and Disney+, each one leaving their mark on both pop culture and the beauty and fashion world.
The intersection of "Dancing with the Stars" and beauty matters more than casual viewers might assume. Winners don't just walk away with the mirrorball trophy. They secure sponsorship deals, brand partnerships, and social media influence that often directly translate to beauty and cosmetics contracts. Hair and makeup transformations happen each week on the show, making it a live advertisement for styling trends, spray tans, and red carpet beauty looks.
The competition tracks across 33 seasons reveals predictable winner archetypes. Athletes dominate the trophy count. Gymnasts like Shawn Johnson and Laurie Hernandez won in seasons 16 and 23 respectively. NFL players like Donald Driver, Emmitt Smith, and Hines Ward all claimed victories. These winners brought discipline, coordination, and existing fan bases to the floor.
Reality television stars and musicians fill the second tier of champions. Kellie Pickler (country artist), Amber Riley (actress and singer), and Nyle DiMarco ("America's Next Top Model" winner) all took home mirrorball trophies. Their pre-existing platforms meant they arrived with engaged audiences ready to vote week after week.
Celebrity and entertainment figures round out the field. Rashad Jennings (former NFL player turned "Survivor" star), Bobby Bones (radio personality), and Brooke Burke (TV host and businesswoman) won by leveraging their personalities and existing television experience.
The beauty element intensifies during finalist weeks. Spray tanning becomes intensive. Hair extensions grow longer. Makeup artist work escalates from standard television coverage to runway-level intensity. Winners often launch or refresh beauty brands in the months following their victory, capitalizing on the spotlight.
The show's voting mechanism rewards charisma as much as dancing ability. Judges score technique. Viewers vote for likability and entertainment value. This hybrid system means personality, styling, and on-camera presence matter as much as footwork. A perfectly executed tango loses votes if the contestant doesn't connect with audiences through their overall presentation.
Recent seasons have pushed diversity forward. Nyle DiMarco (who is deaf) winning in season 22 marked a watershed moment for representation. Tyrod Taylor, Xochitl Gomez, and Charli D'Amelio (the TikTok star who won season 31) brought fresh demographics and fandoms to the competition.
The beauty and fashion industry pays attention. Hair and makeup collaborations now emerge as standard post-show deals. Winners and finalists often score appearances in style editorials and beauty spreads within months of their TV run. The exposure on live television, week after week, builds the kind of brand awareness that typically requires millions in advertising spend.
The mirrorball trophy's cultural weight lies partly in what comes after it. Victors don't just win a competition. They gain visibility, credibility, and platform. In the influencer economy, that translates directly to beauty brand deals, cosmetics partnerships, and sustained relevance in the celebrity ecosystem.