Kelly Monaco, of General Hospital, won the very first season. People were shocked. She was a soap star, not a dancer. But she and pro Alec Mazo pulled off a stunning freestyle that blew the judges away. It set the tone: expect the unexpected.
Then came Drew Lachey. He was a boy band guy. He had zero experience. Yet he danced a samba to “Jump” that made everyone jump for joy. He beat the heavily favored Stacy Keibler. America loves an underdog.
And who could forget the season that made Apolo Anton Ohno a star? The Olympic speed skater won with Julianne Hough. He had the speed, but she had the choreography. They were a perfect storm of speed and sparkle.
The Superstars Who Defied Gravity
The show loves athletes. They dominate. Emmitt Smith, the NFL legend, won in Season 3. He was a bull in a china shop, but he learned to be a swan. Fans adored his humble, hardworking vibe.
Hélio Castroneves, the race car driver, shocked everyone. He won Season 5 by dancing a perfect jive. He had a smile that could power a small city. Judges gave him a 30 out of 30. He was unstoppable.
Rhys McClenaghan crowned Dancing with the Stars winner in showstopping
Then there’s the most famous athlete winner: Shawn Johnson. The Olympic gymnast won in Season 8. She was 16 years old. She did flips that made the audience gasp. She made it look easy—but it was pure grit.
