The pros of Dancing With the Stars never let up when it comes to creating show-stopping numbers, but there are a select few numbers that will forever remain in the hearts and minds of fringe lovers everywhere.
In no particular order, here are 20 of the most memorable performances from the last 20 years.
1. Season 33 Argentine Tango with Derek Hough and Mark Ballas
In 2024, the veteran pros performed a same-sex Argentine tango into the November 26 finale that was a historic moment for the franchise: For the first time, two men performed hand in hand under the mirror ball.
2. Season 10 Quickstep featuring Derek Hough and Nicole Scherzinger
Season 10 champs Derek Hough and Nicole Scherzinger proved early on that the Mirror Ball Trophy was theirs to lose after performing a spirited quickstep to “Anything Goes.”
3. Season 19 Freestyle Featuring Mark Ballas and Sadie Robertson
Always the clever choreographer, Mark Ballas dressed up as Super Mario while Sadie Robertson donned a father-approved flush frock in this Season 19 freestyle version of a video game.
4. Season 30 Freestyle Featuring Iman Shumpert and Danielle Karagach
Iman Shumpert became the first NBA player to earn a perfect score of 40 for his ingenious freestyle with Danielle Karagach to “I Got 5 On It” in Season 30. The duo overcame their absolutely ridiculous difference in height and went on to win the Mirror Ball Trophy.
5. Season 17 Freestyle Featuring Derek Hough and Amber Riley
Season 17 winners Derek Hough and Amber Riley made hand towels sexy in this unforgettable freestyle from 2013.
6. Season 18 Contemporary Featuring Derek Hough and Amy Purdy
Season 18’s Amy Purdy was the first double amputee to ever appear on Dancing with the Stars. Lucky for her, she was paired with the five-time winner and got to perform gorgeous routines like this emotional contemporary to “Human.”
7. Season 5 Paso Doble Featuring Mel B and Maks Chermkovskiy
In Season 5, Mel B was a perfect match for ballroom bad boy Maks Chermkovskiy in this impeccable Paso Doble that notched perfect scores.
8. Season 20 Contemporary Featuring Sharna Burgess and Noah Galloway
Sharna Burgess hit a career high in Season 20 by choreographing a stirring contemporary to “American Soldier” for her and Noah Galloway, a double amputee combat veteran.
9. Season 2 Freestyle Featuring Cheryl Burke and Drew Lachey
Yee-haw to Season 2 champs Cheryl Burke and Drew Lachey, who had us wanting to “Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy” during this knee-slapping freestyle.
10. Season 33 Contemporary Featuring Danny Amendola and Witney Carson
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson went crazy viral for their next-to-impossible leg lift during their Dedication Night contemporary in Season 33.
11. Season 19 Jazz Featuring Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson
It was inevitable — but no less appreciated — when Season 19 winner Alfonso Ribeiro trotted out his classic Carlton for a jazz dance with Witney Carson.
12. Season 22 Freestyle Featuring Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd
Deaf celebrity Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd solidified their standing as Season 22’s winning couple after performing this stunning freestyle to “The Sound of Silence” in the finals.
13. Season 16 Argentine Tango Featuring Zendaya and Val Chermkovskiy
Look, we get why Zendaya still feels wronged from her time on Dancing With the Stars at the tender age of 16. After watching her near-perfect Argentine tango with partner Val Chermkovskiy, we must ask yet again: Why didn’t she win in 2013?
14. Season 30 Argentine Tango Featuring Jojo Siwa and Jenna Johnson
Jojo Siwa became the latest DWTS trailblazer in Season 30 when she and Jenna Johnson were paired as the first same-sex duo. Among their perfect moves: this slick Argentine tango that helped them finish second for the season.
15. Season 33 Jazz Featuring Mark Ballas and Charli D’Amelio
Kudos once again to Mark Ballas, who hit pay-dirt in Season 33 when he was paired with the talented Charli D’Amelio. Among their master moves: this week 4 jazz routine to the theme from The Simpsons.
16. Season 23 Argentine Tango Featuring Gleb Savchenko and Jana Kramer
Gleb Savchenko and Jana Kramer pushed the envelope in Season 23 with this extremely sexy Argentine tango that started on black silk sheets in bed.
17. Season 31 Samba Featuring Gabby Windey and Val Chermkovskiy
This Season 31 samba between Gabby Windey and Val Chermkovskiy is as much a testament to the pro’s choreographing skills as it is to executive producer Conrad Green, who oversaw the eye-popping backdrop.
18. Season 9 Paso Doble Featuring Derek Hough and Joanna Krupa
A very young Derek Hough had fun with dark lighting and glow-in-the-dark costumes in this innovative Paso Doble from Season 9 with Joanna Krupa.
19. “Moon River” Tribute Dance For The Late Len Goodman
Current and former pros paid tribute to the late Len Goodman in 2023 by waltzing perfectly to “Moon River.” It ended with the troupe gesturing to an empty middle chair on the judges’ dais.
20. Season 12 Argentine Tango Featuring Kym Johnson and Hines Ward
Kym Johnson gave just about everybody a huge scare in Season 12 when she fell on her neck while rehearsing her Argentine tango with Hines Ward. Despite an initial fear over losing feeling in her limbs, Johnson and Ward went on to perform the number without a hitch and ended up winning the season.









