For The First Time
Join us as we take a brief look at how each of our celebrities did in their first try on the dancefloor!
Nathan Adrian
Season: 13
Finish: 1
Partner: Peta Murgatroyd
For the first time, Olympic swimmer Nathan Adrian had his work cut out for him, competing against 13 other Olympic athletes in Season 13's Olympians theme. While there were points in the season where competitors Joannie Rochette and Nastia Liukin had the advantage, Nathan had a strong finish in the finals, and was able to win the competition - partner Peta's second win after Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Finish: 1
Partner: Peta Murgatroyd
For the first time, Olympic swimmer Nathan Adrian had his work cut out for him, competing against 13 other Olympic athletes in Season 13's Olympians theme. While there were points in the season where competitors Joannie Rochette and Nastia Liukin had the advantage, Nathan had a strong finish in the finals, and was able to win the competition - partner Peta's second win after Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
Cher
Season: 4
Finish: 2
Partner: Maksim Chmerkovskiy
For the first time, pop legend and Academy-Award winning actress Cher went into the massive Season 4 as an unlikely competitor. She dazzled the competition with countless sultry and glamorous performances and eventually ended up in the finals versus Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks. With 4 energetic final performances, she was able to cement a 2nd place finish behind Bullock, the oldest woman to ever finish in 2nd place to this date.
Finish: 2
Partner: Maksim Chmerkovskiy
For the first time, pop legend and Academy-Award winning actress Cher went into the massive Season 4 as an unlikely competitor. She dazzled the competition with countless sultry and glamorous performances and eventually ended up in the finals versus Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks. With 4 energetic final performances, she was able to cement a 2nd place finish behind Bullock, the oldest woman to ever finish in 2nd place to this date.
Hilary Duff
Season: 19
Finish: 1
Partner: Mark Ballas
For the first time, Disney icon and singer Hilary Duff competed against one of the most eclectic casts ever assembled on the game. She was able to top the leaderboard in Week 1, and while she had some weeks in which she was not in first place, she never lost any support on her journey to the finals - in which she had never landed in the bottom-two. She won after a hard fought final week, earning partner Mark's third trophy - the only pro to achieve so in the game's history.
Finish: 1
Partner: Mark Ballas
For the first time, Disney icon and singer Hilary Duff competed against one of the most eclectic casts ever assembled on the game. She was able to top the leaderboard in Week 1, and while she had some weeks in which she was not in first place, she never lost any support on her journey to the finals - in which she had never landed in the bottom-two. She won after a hard fought final week, earning partner Mark's third trophy - the only pro to achieve so in the game's history.
Jamie Foxx
Season: 12
Finish: 2
Partner: Cheryl Burke
For the first time, Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx quickly became a front-runner in Season 12. After tying for first place in week 3 after a Foxtrot with a sultry storyline, Jamie and Cheryl practically soared to the finals against Kate Hudson and Demi Lovato, eventually taking 2nd place to Hudson - earning Burke her highest placement out of her entire time on the game.
Finish: 2
Partner: Cheryl Burke
For the first time, Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx quickly became a front-runner in Season 12. After tying for first place in week 3 after a Foxtrot with a sultry storyline, Jamie and Cheryl practically soared to the finals against Kate Hudson and Demi Lovato, eventually taking 2nd place to Hudson - earning Burke her highest placement out of her entire time on the game.
Grant Gustin
Season: 19
Finish: 2
Partner: Emma Slater
For the first time, Glee/The Flash actor Grant Gustin competed against the likes of Disney Channel icon Hilary Duff and pop icon Gwen Stefani. He was able to obtain the highest score of Week 1 with a Viennese Waltz, and continued dominating the leaderboard throughout the rest of the season. He earned the first perfect score of the season, later tying with Hilary Duff for the week. Gustin followed Duff, Stefani, and actress Sofia Vergara to the finals, eventually becoming the runner-up to Duff.
Finish: 2
Partner: Emma Slater
For the first time, Glee/The Flash actor Grant Gustin competed against the likes of Disney Channel icon Hilary Duff and pop icon Gwen Stefani. He was able to obtain the highest score of Week 1 with a Viennese Waltz, and continued dominating the leaderboard throughout the rest of the season. He earned the first perfect score of the season, later tying with Hilary Duff for the week. Gustin followed Duff, Stefani, and actress Sofia Vergara to the finals, eventually becoming the runner-up to Duff.
Tom Hanks
Season: 4
Finish: 3
Partner: Kym Johnson
For the first time, two-time Academy-Award winner Tom Hanks joined the massive 4th season of the game with Kym Johnson, quickly becoming fan favorites, nicknamed TomKat. Along the road, Hanks and Johnson journeyed up the leaderboard, eventually winning a Jitterbug marathon and scoring several perfect 40's. He, Cher, and Sandra Bullock rounded out the final 3 - to this date, the oldest group of finalists ever. Hanks was sent home in third place to Cher and Bullock.
Finish: 3
Partner: Kym Johnson
For the first time, two-time Academy-Award winner Tom Hanks joined the massive 4th season of the game with Kym Johnson, quickly becoming fan favorites, nicknamed TomKat. Along the road, Hanks and Johnson journeyed up the leaderboard, eventually winning a Jitterbug marathon and scoring several perfect 40's. He, Cher, and Sandra Bullock rounded out the final 3 - to this date, the oldest group of finalists ever. Hanks was sent home in third place to Cher and Bullock.
Niall Horan
Season: 17
Finish: 6
Partner: Peta Murgatroyd
For the first time, One Direction member Niall Horan was partner Peta Murgatroyd's first partner of notability following her second win with Nathan Adrian. While Horan wasn't always a leaderboard topper, he did manage to gain a massive fanbase. By the time he reached the quarter-finals, he was able to earn a perfect score for an Argentine Tango, but sadly he was sent home alongside actor Matt Damon that week.
Finish: 6
Partner: Peta Murgatroyd
For the first time, One Direction member Niall Horan was partner Peta Murgatroyd's first partner of notability following her second win with Nathan Adrian. While Horan wasn't always a leaderboard topper, he did manage to gain a massive fanbase. By the time he reached the quarter-finals, he was able to earn a perfect score for an Argentine Tango, but sadly he was sent home alongside actor Matt Damon that week.
Jennifer Hudson
Season: 16
Finish: 3
Partner: Tristan MacManus
For the first time, former American Idol contestant and Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson's partnership with the Irish Tristan MacManus proved to be rather exciting. Along the way, Hudson topped the leaderboard several times, and eventually won the season's immunity challenge. By the time she, actor/singer Chord Overstreet, and Oscar-winner Halle Berry made the finals, the competition was too close to call. Hudson eventually took third place, but went out on a spectacular high note.
Finish: 3
Partner: Tristan MacManus
For the first time, former American Idol contestant and Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson's partnership with the Irish Tristan MacManus proved to be rather exciting. Along the way, Hudson topped the leaderboard several times, and eventually won the season's immunity challenge. By the time she, actor/singer Chord Overstreet, and Oscar-winner Halle Berry made the finals, the competition was too close to call. Hudson eventually took third place, but went out on a spectacular high note.
Demi Lovato
Season: 12
Finish: 3
Partner: Mark Ballas
For the first time, actress/singer Demi Lovato (then blonde) went into Season 12 alongside some of the biggest names in film, music, and television. Throughout the season, she and partner Mark Ballas turned in high scoring performances and garnered strong support from the viewers, never landing in the bottom two. She reached the finals with Jamie Foxx and Kate Hudson, but ultimately fell to bottom of the leaderboard, and later landed in third place.
Finish: 3
Partner: Mark Ballas
For the first time, actress/singer Demi Lovato (then blonde) went into Season 12 alongside some of the biggest names in film, music, and television. Throughout the season, she and partner Mark Ballas turned in high scoring performances and garnered strong support from the viewers, never landing in the bottom two. She reached the finals with Jamie Foxx and Kate Hudson, but ultimately fell to bottom of the leaderboard, and later landed in third place.
Michelle Obama
Season: 8
Finish: 2
Partner: Tony Dovolani
For the first time, First Lady Michelle Obama went into Season 8 as one of the biggest surprises of the season. As the season progressed, Michelle, alongside partner Tony Dovolani, brought grace and poise with every single performance, earning four perfect scores. She reached the finals with NFL player Tim Tebow and actress Jennifer Lawrence, whom she finished second to in the end.
Finish: 2
Partner: Tony Dovolani
For the first time, First Lady Michelle Obama went into Season 8 as one of the biggest surprises of the season. As the season progressed, Michelle, alongside partner Tony Dovolani, brought grace and poise with every single performance, earning four perfect scores. She reached the finals with NFL player Tim Tebow and actress Jennifer Lawrence, whom she finished second to in the end.
Aaron Paul
Season: 15
Finish: 3
Partner: Sharna Burgess
For the first time, Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul joined Season 15’s Icons of Television cast, partnering Sharna Burgess. Along the way, Aaron found himself up and down on the leaderboard, only earning two perfect scores, but still remained strong in viewer votes, with only one trip to the bottom two. He made it all the way to finals, only to finish third behind Grey's Anatomy's Chyler Leigh and Glee's Naya Rivera.
Finish: 3
Partner: Sharna Burgess
For the first time, Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul joined Season 15’s Icons of Television cast, partnering Sharna Burgess. Along the way, Aaron found himself up and down on the leaderboard, only earning two perfect scores, but still remained strong in viewer votes, with only one trip to the bottom two. He made it all the way to finals, only to finish third behind Grey's Anatomy's Chyler Leigh and Glee's Naya Rivera.
Charlie Puth
Season: 22
Finish: 1
Partner: Lindsay Arnold
For the first time, singer Charlie Puth came out strong from the very beginning finishing the premiere in two-way tie for first place. From there, he and partner Lindsay Arnold dominated with high scoring routines, which included several perfect scores, a spot as Captain a team dance in Prince Week, and immunity from elimination in Postmodern Jukebox Week. They went on to win the competition over actress Abigail Breslin and model Sean O'Pry.
Finish: 1
Partner: Lindsay Arnold
For the first time, singer Charlie Puth came out strong from the very beginning finishing the premiere in two-way tie for first place. From there, he and partner Lindsay Arnold dominated with high scoring routines, which included several perfect scores, a spot as Captain a team dance in Prince Week, and immunity from elimination in Postmodern Jukebox Week. They went on to win the competition over actress Abigail Breslin and model Sean O'Pry.
Robbie Rogers
Season: 14
Finish: 1
Partner: Anna Trebunskaya
For the first time, soccer player Robbie Rogers showed a lot of promise the first time he danced on Season 14. As time went on, he proved himself to be a strong and worthy competitor, earning multiple perfect scores and massive support from the viewers, even winning the season's immunity challenge. He later won the competition, edging out Nickelodeon star Challen Cates and Olympic gymast McKayla Maroney, and earning partner Anna Trebunskaya her only win so far.
Finish: 1
Partner: Anna Trebunskaya
For the first time, soccer player Robbie Rogers showed a lot of promise the first time he danced on Season 14. As time went on, he proved himself to be a strong and worthy competitor, earning multiple perfect scores and massive support from the viewers, even winning the season's immunity challenge. He later won the competition, edging out Nickelodeon star Challen Cates and Olympic gymast McKayla Maroney, and earning partner Anna Trebunskaya her only win so far.
Gwen Stefani
Season: 19
Finish: 4
Partner: Derek Hough
For the first time, pop singer Gwen Stefani had a lot to prove going into the game's 19th season, partnering reigning champ Derek Hough. Along the way, she was in the upper middle part of the leaderboard, but started to find her groove around the quarterfinals, where she got her first perfect score. She later earned two more scores, but was eliminated on the first night of the finals, taking fourth place to Hilary Duff, Grant Gustin, and Sofia Vergara.
Finish: 4
Partner: Derek Hough
For the first time, pop singer Gwen Stefani had a lot to prove going into the game's 19th season, partnering reigning champ Derek Hough. Along the way, she was in the upper middle part of the leaderboard, but started to find her groove around the quarterfinals, where she got her first perfect score. She later earned two more scores, but was eliminated on the first night of the finals, taking fourth place to Hilary Duff, Grant Gustin, and Sofia Vergara.
Emma Stone
Season: 5
Finish: 5
Partner: Mark Ballas
For the first time, actress (and future Academy Award winner) Emma Stone was becoming a star of her own going into Season 5. She showed tons of promise after a strong Cha-Cha in the first week. Since then, she impressed the judges with her youthful energy and strong technique. It was nearly over for her when she lost all of her points in the All-or-Nothing challenge, but managed to push through. She ended up falling short of the semi-finals, landing in fifth place.
Finish: 5
Partner: Mark Ballas
For the first time, actress (and future Academy Award winner) Emma Stone was becoming a star of her own going into Season 5. She showed tons of promise after a strong Cha-Cha in the first week. Since then, she impressed the judges with her youthful energy and strong technique. It was nearly over for her when she lost all of her points in the All-or-Nothing challenge, but managed to push through. She ended up falling short of the semi-finals, landing in fifth place.
Betty White
Season: 5
Finish: 4
Partner: Corky Ballas
For the first time, sitcom legend Betty White became the oldest contestant to take on the game, joining the cast of Season 5 at age 89 (she takes the record back from Stan Lee who later appeared in Season 19 at age 92). Despite her low-scoring routines, the power of the votes sent her through, beating out contenders like: Cameron Diaz, Beyonce, Denzel Washington, and Emma Stone. She even got a 10 for a Christmas themed Cha-Cha. Her time to leave eventually came when she failed to reach the finals, finishing in fourth place.
Finish: 4
Partner: Corky Ballas
For the first time, sitcom legend Betty White became the oldest contestant to take on the game, joining the cast of Season 5 at age 89 (she takes the record back from Stan Lee who later appeared in Season 19 at age 92). Despite her low-scoring routines, the power of the votes sent her through, beating out contenders like: Cameron Diaz, Beyonce, Denzel Washington, and Emma Stone. She even got a 10 for a Christmas themed Cha-Cha. Her time to leave eventually came when she failed to reach the finals, finishing in fourth place.