PureDWTS Discussion: Who Are Your Top Five Dancing With The Stars Couples Of All Time? Can Be From Any Country!
New PureDWTS Question: Who Are Your Top Five Dancing With The Stars Couples Of All Time? Note: Any couples are allowed from any country not just the US version. Ties are allowed as well. You can also name some runners up if you want. Let us know on your picks in comments. Thanks, Everyone!
Ok, here are mine to get us started:
1. TIE: Derek Hough and Amber Riley & Gleb Savchenko and Adelina Sotnikova (DWTS Russia)
2. Peta Murgatroyd and Donald Driver
3. Derek Hough and Amy Purdy
4. Mark Ballas and Willow Shields & Sharna Burgess and Andy Dick
5. TIE: Derek Hough and Joanna Krupa & Sharna Burgess and Charlie White
Runners Up: Julianne Hough and Apolo Anton Ohno, Derek Hough and Nicole Scherzinger, Maks Chmerkovskiy and Willa Ford, Riker Lynch and Allison Holker, Derek Hough and Jennifer Grey, Karina Smirnoff and Jacoby Jones, Maks Chmerkovskiy and Kirstie Alley, Tristan MacManus and Nancy Grace
Season 8 – Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke
Season 10 – Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Season 15 – Apolo Anton Ohno and Karina Smirnoff
Season 18 – Charlie White and Sharna Burgess
Season 19 – Alfono Ribiero and Witney Carson
Mine have to be Sadie & Mark, Katherine & Mark, Maria & Derek, Amy & Derek, and a tie between Alfonso & Witney and Riker & Allison. I know 5 of those 6 didn’t won’t but I love the friendships they made in their respective season. They just made that season more enjoyable. S20 wasn’t my favorite but Riker & Alison made it for me to tune in to watch every week. No drama, fun, and fresh dancing.
(Rob & Cheryl, Jack & Cheryl, Candace & Mark, and Charlie & Sharna would ultimately be in my top 10)
1 Nicole & Derek
2 Sadie & Mark
3 Gilles & Cheryl
4 Charlie & Sharna
5 Tie Pamela & Damian / Laila & Maks
Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough
Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough
Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough
Bill Engvall and Emma Slater
Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff; Charlie White and Sharna Burgess; Nastia Liukin and Derek Hough (Because they were all screwed by TPTB)
1. Jhalak Dikhla Jaa Season 6 (Indian version of DWTS): Drashti Dhami and Salman Yusuff Khan.
Many of you might don’t know them. PS: Watch one of their performances at this link:
https://www.facebook.com/MadhubalaEIEJ3/videos/487629721318637/
Give it a look (starts at 00.20 seconds). In Indian version of DWTS, there is no such restriction as to ballroom dancing. They are given challenging and variety of routines to perform. This one is Acrobacia and contemporary fusion.
2. Dancing with the Stars Season 10: Nicole Schewzinger and Derek Hough
3. Dancing with the Stars Season 20: Willow Shields and Mark Ballas
4. Dancing with the Stars Season 16: Zendaya Coleman and Valentin Chemrokovskiy
5. Dancing with the Stars Season 18: Meryl Davis and Maksim Chemrokovskiy
Thanks, Everyone!!!xx
Linz, I love what you said for your last choice. Isn’t that the truth?! And add Willow and Mark to that list too.
Sabrina and Mark
Derek and Shawn
Tristan and Nancy (only for the video packages)
Drew and Cheryl/Gilles and Cheryl (tie)
Charlie and Sharna
Kellie & Derek
Apolo & Julianne
Sadie & Mark
Bill & Emma
Andy & Sharna
Okay here goes mine π
1.) derek hough and nicole scherzinger (their rumba!) & meryl and maks
2.) derek hough and shawn johnson
3.) gleb savchenko and adelina sotnikova (dwts russia)
4.) karina and corbin
5.) val and janel
Oh no I forgot, amy purdy and derek are tied for fourth with karina and corbin in my list lol
It was hard to pick my favorites — I tried to limit myself to only including one partner per pro (otherwise there would be a whole lot of Derek in there). I’d have an easier time picking my least favorites:
Maks/Hope (no brainer)
Mark/Bristol
Tony/Kate Gosselin
Louis/Kendra
Peta/Gilles (too tacky)
1.Sabrina and Louis
2.Sabrina and Mark
3. Natasza Urbanska and Jan Kliment (from DWTS Polonia)
4.Nicole and Derek
5.Stacy and Tony
Riker and Allison
Shawn and Derek
Kellie and Derek
Meryl and Maks (Yes, I know they were pimped almost as bad as Rumer and Val, but I adored Meryl so much so I’m not going to let her partner ruin her for me.)
After that I can’t really pick a 5th because I loved so many others so much.
Shawn and Mark, Aly and Mark, Karina and JR, Peta and Donald, Sabrina and Louis, Corbin and Karina, Jack and Cheryl, and Charlie and Sharna.
Maks and Meryl
Val and Zendaya
Bill Engvall and Emma
Apollo and Julianne
Helio and Julianne
I have so many other favorites. Hard to list just five.
1. Maks and Meryl Davis
2. Derek and Kelly Pickler
3. Mark and Sadie Robertson
4. Val and Rumer Willis
5. TIE Peta and Tommy Chong/Julianne and Helio C.
1) Shawn – Derek (They were like Magic together! All the dances they did are iconic!! Best ever)
2) Amy – Derek
3) Sadie – Mark
4) Nicole – Derek, Kellie – Derek (TIE!! I love both the partnerships!)
5) Rumer – Val
#1 — Derek & Nichole Sherzinger
#2 — Julianne & Apolo O.
#3 — Derek & Kellie Pickler
#4 — Mark & Kristy Yamaguchi
#5 — Maks & Meryl
Cheryl and Drew
Karina and Mario
Derek and Shawn
Mark and Sabrina
Mark and Katherine
I’m going to do like Vogue and give some ties so I can get more in π
1. JR and Karina
2. tie: Nicole Sh/Derek and Shawn J/Derek for great creative partnerships and incredible body of work, each with many dances I will continue to watch over and over….
3. tie: Hines/Kym and Jacoby/Karina, love these fun partnerships
4. tie: Gladys/Tristan and Bill E/Emma for their heart
5. tie: Maria/Derek and Kelly/Derek
honorable mentions: Snicole/Sasha, Sadie/Mark, Apolo/Karina, Carson/Anna, Charlie/Sharna, Mel/Maks…ok I’ll stop now.
1. Derek Hough and Kellie Pickler
2. Mark Ballas and Sadie Robertson
3. Derek Hough and Nastia Liukin
4. Sharna Burgess and Charlie White
5. Allison Holker and Riker Lynch
I wonder how many people chose couples because of the couple and how many chose their favorite pro and the star they liked most with that pro.
1. Allison and Ryker
2. Maks and Meryl
3. Mark and Willow
4, Janel and Val
5. Peta and James tied with Sharna and Charlie
This could take a while. I shall return. Love your choices though Vogue
Five is tough because so many were good over the years but here goes:
Derek and Shawn
Meryl and Maks
Ryker and Alison
Charlie and Sharna
Julianne and Apollo
Thanks Mr A. It took me longer than I thought to make my list up too.
Shawn and Derek
Sabrina and Mark
Apollo and Julianne
Kellie and Derek
Sadie and Mark
Runners up- Donald and Peta, Amy and Derek, Bill and Emma
There are so many favorites that I really liked, but I am listing the ones that I could not wait to see them dance each week!
!. Gleb and Adelina/ DWTS Russia, for US Derek Hough and Shawn Johnson
2. Apolo Anton and Julianne Hough
3. Charlie White and Sharna Burgess
4. Mark Ballas and Katherine, also like Kristy
5. Karina and Corbin and enjoyed Zendaya and Val
Just want to say very impressed with Ryker and Alison and Mark and Willow and Karina and Mario L.
1.Witney and alfonso(my favourite couple)
2.Allison and riker
3.Val and zendaya
4.Derek and amber
5.Julianne and helio/apolo also
This is tough but only #4 and 5 are ties so I’m pretty happy with that. Anyways my number one would have to be Kristi and mark. They just were so much fun and made me go “wow!”…mostly becuase I had a preconceived notion she would be boring but she was just so much fun and actually really energetic and funny. My number two couple comes from scd and is Abbie and aliaj. She was another one I had preconceived notions about but she could move and handled his choreography like a champ. I will never forget watching their samba and going “dang this girl literally was born to dance….and model”. My third choice is the iconic pairing of Shawn and Derek (maybe just iconic in my mind lol). This was a dream team. They could do anything. My first fourth place couple is Melissa and tony. Honestly love this pairing more than I should. She brought out his fun side. The second pairing in fourth place is drew and Cheryl. They were just plain fun to watch and he is just a great dancer in my opinion becuase he was having a blast out there week after week. Fifth place has two of the most unique pairings ever in my opinion. First up is Joey and kym. He is the human version of the energizer bunny. Never once saw him tired in the show and he always had a smile on his face. The second is the strange pairing that was eydta and George Hamilton. That guy cracks me up and honestly he really was just beyond entertaining.
My three runners up were Alfonso and witney (not a surprise considering everyone knows how much I love this pairing), Harry and aliona (this was a perfect pairing and aliona was actually likeable….and we talk about that argentine tabgo…wowza), and last but not least the pairing of Derek and Nicole.
Since I only watch the show for Derek these are my faves:
Derek and Kellie, Derek and Shawn, Derek and Nicole, Derek and Amy, Derek and Jennifer
Have to amend my comment to make it a tie between Derek & Jennifer and Derek & Amber because I do so love Amber’s freestyle!
1. Gleb & Adelina (Russia) Derek & Shawn/Amber/Kellie USA (this is hard)
2. Mark & Sadie
3.Julianne % Apolo
4. Karina & JR
5. Cheryl & Drew
I would like top 10 Please!!!
Also: Charlie & Sharna
Alfonso & Witney
Bill & Emma
I’ve loved so many couples over the seasons, this is almost impossible!
1. Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough
2. Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani (Strictly)
3. Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas
4. Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough
5. Charlie White and Sharna Burgess
There have been so many other favorites that I’m not even going to start listing runners up.
I started watching DWTS USA during Season 7 so here are my 5 favorites:
1. Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough tied w/ Nicole Scherzinger & Derek Hough
2. Kellie Pickler & Derek Hough
3. Nastia Liukin & Derek Hough
4. Jennifer Grey & Derek Hough
5. Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas
Runners Up:
1. Amy Purdy & Derek Hough (her journey)
2. Amber Riley & Derek Hough (her guts)
3. Bethany Moto & Derek Hough (her journey from no dance experience)
4. Hines Ward & Kym Johnson (Hines’s journey & he was always my favorite Steeler)
5. J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff (amazing story & no dance to good dancer joutney)
My main reason for watching DWTS is the dancing from week to week each season. I don’t necessarily vote just on best personality if they can’t dance (celebs).
I had to be honest whether that met that Derek’s name was multiple times; because he does amazingly with his partners. There are other couples I also listed who I liked. While I am a Derek admirer, I may really like a different celeb than his at times.
OK, I have answers having cross-referenced my favourites by season. I’ve only been watching DWTS since season 14, and Strictly Come Dancing I’ve watched for half my life, so I’ve stuck with Strictly and the seasons of DWTS I’ve watched.
Runners up: Katherine and Mark (DWTS 14) for great dancing and personality, but not that much chemistry at all; Sophie and Brendan (Strictly 11) for a unique take on the show and some killer routines; Valerie and Tristan, Amy and Derek, Noah and Sharna (DWTS 17, 18 and 20) for being truly inspirational and often redefining what the show “should” be.
5) Dani Harmer and Vincent Simone (Strictly 10)/ Sadie Robertson and Mark Ballas (DWTS 19)- Dani Harmer as Tracy Beaker was my childhood. I was so excited to see her on the show, and she didn’t disappoint. For me her joyful 4th place transcends what became a very serious top 3. Denise was a better dancer, Craig loved Kimberley and Louis was a national hero apparently, but “Team Smurf” was always what I looked forward to. Similarly, “Team Quack Attack” defied the agenda and just had fun dancing.
4) Maria Menounos/ Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough (DWTS 14/16) Both charming and infinitely likeable women turned into amazing dancers by Derek. He’s never done wrong by any of his partners, but with these two he achieved particularly amazing transformations. I have always loved Kellie Pickler and always will, and Maria is just the toughest person to ever do the show with everything still attached to her.
3) Charlie White and Sharna Burgess (DWTS 18)- Who knows what they could have done if TPTB hadn’t been quite so determined that Meryl and Maks won this particular face-off? Both so likeable, so talented and a great fit for each other. They never got the chance they deserved.
2) Pixie Lott and Trent Whiddon (Strictly 12) They brought the absolute best out of each other, killed every single dance and had a great relationship. I blame Darcey Bussell for the fact they finished 6th. They should have won.
1) Amber Riley and Derek Hough (DWTS 17)- Although I love her on Glee, but I have to admit Amber wasn’t really in my head before Vogue’s list, but I think I personally might owe her a debt. I’m a guy with a similar body shape and proportions to her, and it is hard to make people take you seriously in any field of the arts, never mind dance. Amber came along and changed that. She proved that with talent and hard work we can do everything thin people can do, we just need a few extra puddings to help us along. She delivered fun and great dancing in the face of pretty serious injuries (not quite Maria’s level, but close) and some major ringers. She was fantastic, and it was some of Derek’s best work. Also, this clip I’ve linked is hilarious and perfectly sums up the eternal battle between fat people and the Jive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxIhIxRjjwY
Here are my top five:
1. Nicole Scherzinger & Derek
2. Amber Riley & Derek
3. Mya & Dmitry
4. Katherine Jenkins & Mark
5. Zendaya and Val
This is hard! A lot of ties here:
1.) Amy Purdy/Nastia Liukin/Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough
2.) Sadie Robertson and Mark Ballas
3.) Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya
4.) Gethin Jones and Camilla Dallerup/ Matt Baker, Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani (Strictly)
5.) Tommy Chong and Peta Murgatroyd
1. JR Martinez & Karina Smirnoff
2. Ksenia Alferova & Denis Tagintsev DWTS Russia
3. Ralph Macchio & Karina Smirnoff
4. Noah Galloway & Sharna Burgess
5. Carson Kressley & Anna Trebunskaya/Tommy Chong & Peta Murgatroyd
1. Mel B & Maks
2. Bill & Emma
3. Mario #1 & Karina
4. Kyle & Lacey
5. Nicole & Derek
Runner ups-
Adam Carolla & Julianne
Sadie & Mark
Tommy & Peta
1. Kyle Massey & Lacey Schwimmer
2. Kirstie Alley & Maks Chmerkovskiy
3. Maya & Aslak Amtrup (DWTSME-Lebanon)
4. Jesica Cirio & Juan Carlos Acosta (Bailando 2014-Argentina)
5. Kellie Pickler & Derek Hough
There are many couples i left out that i really love.
1.Derek and Shawn. Derek &Amy. I have to mention Joanna among some my fav couplings with Derek even tou she is not among my top fav Derek girls but I liked these two. Still watch few of there dance’s and definitely Kelly
2.Mark and Sadie
3.cherly and jack mainly coz of jack cho cute.
4. sharna and charlie
5. Peta and Tommy tie Artem and patty
# Makes and Meryl
I love reading over all of your replies. Thank you gobs, All!! xxx
1. Nicole and Derek
2. Kellie and Derek
3. Erin and Maks
4. Andy and Sharna
5. Melissa and Tony
I sat here for like two full minutes trying to decide. Not strictly taking dancing into account, but rather my enjoyment of the pair or their dynamic – whether it be the emotional investment I had in them, how much they made me laugh, or whatever:
1. Ralph and Karina/Apolo and Karina
2. Charlie and Sharna/Willow and Mark
3. Sadie and Mark/Amy and Derek
4. Shawn and Derek/Mark (I love them both with her for different reasons)
5. Kyle and Lacey
Honorable Mentions (all of which could be in the top 5 if I filled this out later): Tommy and Peta, Jack and Cheryl, Kirstie and Maks, Snooki and Sasha, Maria and Derek, Petra and Dmitry, Nancy and Tristan, Romeo and Chelsie, Aaron and Karina, Steve-O and Lacey
1. Shawn and Mark & Shawn and Derek (tie): okay, I’m a biased Shawn fan but I love so many of her routines with both pros and still watch them over and over and over again.
2. Sadie and Mark: I loved the routines Mark put together for Sadie, and I found Sadie to be so darn adorable. π
3. Rob and Cheryl & Jack and Cheryl (tie): I enjoyed both of their journeys, and I think these two brought out the best in Cheryl’s personality.
4. Lil’ Kim and Derek: I just love that Lil’ Kim was not the “typical” partner Derek usually had prior to that season but I found them to be a dynamic couple.
5. Hines and Kym: I loved his attitude and their mutual respect for one another – just an easy-going, relaxed and fun partnership in my opinion.
Runners-up: I have too many to list but here’s a few… Apolo and Julianne (great chemistry and some really fun routines), Adam and Julianne (he wasn’t a very good dancer but I thought some of their routines were really entertaining like that Zorro unicycle Paso), Kristi and Mark (one of my favorite Rumbas/dances ever), Nicole and Derek (not one of my favorite contestants personality-wise but the dances she and Derek performed were some of the best IMO).
1) Meryl Davis and Maks Chmerkovskiy
2) Charlie White and Sharna Burgess
3) Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy
4) Noah Galloway and Sharna Burgess
5) Sadie Robertson and Mark Ballas/ Kirstie Alley and Maks Chmerkovskiy
1 – Hines & Kym
2 – Witney & Alfonso
3 – Meryl & Maks tied Mel & Maks
4 – Shawn & Derek
5 – Apollo & Karina tied Mario&Karina
And for their heart and journey’s – Peta/Tommy, Sharna/Andy, Patti/Artem
John, since pro are more or less the same seasons after seasons, it’s normal we choose the couples based on the celebrity but if I had to choose only the celebrity I would have replaced Charlie & Sharna by Carson & Anna, and put Jennifer Grey somewhere in my top list π
#1. Meryl & Maks
#2. Zendaya & Val / Alfonso & Witney
#3. Amy & Derek / Charlie & Sharna
#4. Amber & Derek
#5. Rumer & Val
(1) Ralph & Karina
(2) Apolo & Julianne
(3) JR & Karina
(4) Mel B & Maks
(5) Corbin & Karina
I also loved Carson & Anna, Sharna & Andy and Charlie & Sharna. But I must admit, Karina is my all time favorite!
Derek & Kelly Pickler – That free style was ground breaking
Derek & Amy Purdy – Loved the choreography & innovation between these two
Mark & Sadie – They brought out the best in each other & were fun to watch
Emma & Bill Engvall – Such a great partnership, genuine love & friendship
Maks & Kirstie Alley – So funny together, and the only time I’ve really rooted for Max
Not in any particular order, but my five are:
Mark Ballas and Sadie Robertson
Derek Hough and Shawn Johnson/Kellie Pickler
Sharna Burgess and Charlie White
Emma Slater and Bill Engvall
Witney Carson and Alfonso Ribiero
If I could list more than 5, I would also have Cheryl Burke and Rob Kardashian, Cheryl Burke and Jack Osbourne and Tristan McManus and Valerie Harper.
Only five? That’s unpossible! (/Ralph)
I don’t even think I could make top ten, let alone top five, LET ALONE five from both Strictly and DWTS. So I guess I’d try to list my ten all-time favourite couples from both and see if I could actually narrow them into five. Please bear in mind that I change my mind ALL THE TIME so if you catch me saying something different in the past, so be it then.
Strictly:
10. Pixie Lott and Trent Whiddon (S12)
09. Gavin Henson and Katja Virshillas (S8)
08. Chelsee Healey and Pasha Kovalev (S9)
07. Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy (S4)
06. Natalie Gumede and Artem Chigvintsev (S11)
05. Holly Valance and Artem Chigvintsev (S9)
04. Scott Maslen and Natalie Lowe (S8)
03. Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler (S5)
02. Kelly Brook and Brendan Cole (S5)
01. Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole (S11)
DWTS:
10. Jennie Garth and Derek Hough (S5)
09. Laila Ali and Maks Chmerkovskiy (S4)
08. Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas (S6)
07. Jack Osbourne and Cheryl Burke (S17)
06. Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff (S3)
05. Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough (S15)
04. Bill Engvall and Emma Slater (S17)
03. Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas (S14)
02. Amy Purdy and Derek Hough (S18)
01. Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough (S10)
It turns out to be harder than I thought to make five. I guess I’ll be back later then to share my top 5 from both combined.
1. JR Martinez and Karina Smirnoff
2. Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas
3. Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke
4. Mya and Dmitry Chaplin
5. Evan Lysacek and Anna T.
Alphabetically, with ties:
Andy / Noah & Sharna
Gladys / Valerie & Tristan
Jack / Rob & Cheryl
JR & Karina
Ty & Chelsie
1. Alfonso and Witney
2. Apolo and Julianne
3. Shawn and Derek
4. Zendaya and Val
5. Helio and Julianne
1.Shawn and Derek- To me they were iconic, their rumba will always be my favourite dance ever on the show.
2.Riker and Allison- I didn’t expect to fall in love with him the way I did this season but he was so much fun to watch.
3.Amy and Derek- She’s my role model in so many ways, her journey is one of the most touching and memorable journey’s on the show.
4.Alfonso and Whitney- I loved his passion and dedication towards the show.
5.Sadie and Mark- She was really fun to watch and I love how family and God orientated she stayed through it all.
Honourable Mentions
James and Peta
Nastia and Derek
Noah and Sharna
Nicole and Derek
Kellie and Derek
Wow, this is a hard one! So many I love, but I think it’d go like this for me:
1. Amy Purdy & Derek Hough- Only easy choice for me, I continue to be inspired by this couple to this very day. Amy proved to not only be incredibly inspiring and an amazing person, but she was a FANTASTIC dancer period, not just for a double amputee, and people did not notice that enough I felt like.
2. Shawn Johnson & Derek Hough- By far the couple with the most enjoyable group of dances overall for me. I found myself finding something to positively adore and be addicted to in each of their dances. I also loved Shawn’s strong, athletic, and precise dancing, it was a nice turn from the dainty, kind of fragile, pretty dancing we see from a lot of ladies, even the best.
3. Sadie Robertson & Mark Ballas- Mark really hit so many highs this season. I was so proud of him to see what he did with Sadie. So many amazing, memorable, beautiful dances. She was a bit underrated for me, and I think she was such a bright light and breath of fresh air that season for me.
4. Brant Daugherty & Peta Murgatroyd- At first Peta really annoyed me in this partnership with the “oversexing” of their routines, but I noticed and enjoyed Brant’s dancing and personality from the getgo. And when she seemed to shift the focus to his dancing, he really shined for me. He still stands as my favorite male contestant on the show. It was a shame to see their fanbase fall through the cracks and get them sent home.
5. Chelsea Kane & Mark Ballas- Chelsea was one of the first celebrities that I was VERY familiar with before seeing her on the show, so it was so great to watch her and I loved her personality. She was a very good dancer. Mark also was very innovative with her, but he did end up getting too concerned with making things youthful, edgy, and hip, and it held them back a bit. But still, I love watching their dances.
Here’s some very honorable mentions:
Jennie Garth & Derek Hough- Loved watching her grow and overcome stage fright. Also a wonderful debut from Derek.
Lil’Kim & Derek Hough- Another joyous and fun couple that were a breath of fresh air.
Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas- This season made me love Mark. He did an outstanding job with her.
Nicole Scherzinger & Derek Hough- Such fantastic dance quality they showed.
Jennifer Grey & Derek Hough- Beautiful dances that had a profound aspect.
Kellie Pickler & Derek Hough- A big surpise. Kellie was a wonderful dancer and she grew consistently. And I’ll never forget that freestyle.
Andy Dick & Sharna Burgess- Such an endearing, fun couple.
Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi & Sasha Farber- Another huge surprise. I loved watching her and really rooted for her. She deserved to go further.
Amber Riley & Derek Hough- Such star power, charisma, and fun!
Candace Cameron Bure & Mark Ballas- I’ve always adored Candace and it was so fun to watch her on the show. Mark did a great job helping her grow.
Alfonso Ribeiro & Witney Carson- Another fun couple with some stellar dances. Who can forget that jazz? π
Willow Shields & Mark Ballas- Another partner that Mark did a FABULOUS job with. I was so sad to see them go so early. Willow was also a sweetie and practically used her young age as an advantage! And she really loved being there.
Nastia Liukin & Derek Hough- Some great dances from them despite traveling and business. Deserved to be in the finals.
Noah Galloway & Sharna Burgess- What a journey this was to watch. I felt proud and in awe with so many of their dances. Noah had more obstacles perhaps than anyone that has been on the show yet he was a contender to be reckoned with.
So many good couples I didn’t put in my list, but I loved so many that people have previously mentioned.
To add a couple that I loved from another country, Chelsee Healey and Pasha Kovalev. She grew so much in confidence and dance quality, and she was such a sweetheart. I adored her. I also adore Pasha, such a fun, sweet, supportive pro who is one of the stronger Strictly choreographers I think.
It’s makes a great deal of sense, actually, when you think about it, that people would be more inclined to pick their favorite pro’s partners when picking favorite couples of all time. Especially for pros like Derek, who seems to have a strong positive impact on his partner every season. He’s chill and relaxed most of the time, and focused on the dancing, so as a result, his partners tend to be chill, relaxed and focused on the dancing. If THAT is what you like, then you’re going to like those partnerships the best. If you like showmance, simple choreography and drama, drama, drama, then certain OTHER couples might be your favorites. This is a no-brainer to me.
I would have to separate my selections into two groups – my top five of Derek’s partners and my top five of everyone else’s. In the however many seasons Derek’s been on the show, I don’t think I’ve liked another couple BETTER than Derek and his partner except for Sadie – I preferred her over Bethany, although I liked Bethany just fine. I’ve liked LOTS of other couples very much, but I when it comes to partnerships, dance quality and personality, it’s pretty hard to beat Shawn/Derek, Kellie/Derek, Nicole/Derek, Amy/Derek and Amber/Derek. Rumer and Meryl were good dancers – but the choreography just didn’t serve them well. Paired with better choreographers, they could have come close to Nicole – who I feel is the best overall dancer ever on DWTS. One who won on actual merit and not showmance and pimpage. And a huge part of the reason I feel she is, is because Derek is a genius. A genius who doesn’t whine that he can’t choreograph a tango to Pretty Woman. Or a 50’s Paso Doble. You can be a great dancer – but if you aren’t challenged choreographically, then what’s the point?
My favorite couples who may or may not have been able to dance and are NOT paired with Derek are Sadie/Mark, Bill/Emma, Andy/Sharna, Charlie/Sharna and Tommy/Peta (Hon. Mention to Donald/Peta, Hines/Kym). But if we’re talking DANCE, no one beats Nicole, Shawn, Kellie, Amy and Amber.
@PH Very true. I have a similar opinion of Meryl especially, very talented, hard-working and likeable but kinda poorly served by Maks. I also think you’re right that Derek is the best pro I’ve ever seen and has had to overcome so many hurdles at the whim of the producers. That said, Pretty Woman is quite a standard Tango track. It might not have been his choice, but it’s hardly Easy Lover for a Foxtrot.
1. Derek and Shawn
2. Mark and Sadie
3. Witney and Alfonso
4. Derek and Nastia
5. Sharna and Charlie
1. Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas (every dance was beautifully choreographed)
2. Shaun Johnson & Derek Hough
3. Sadie Robinson & Mark Ballas (again great choreography)
4. Chelsea Kane & Mark Ballas (fun to watch & great partnership)
5. Apollo Ono & Julianne Hough
Honorable Mention:
1. Brook Burke Chavet & Derek Hough
2. Aly Raisman & Mark Ballas
3. Bristol Palen & Mark Ballas (the first time)
4. Erin Andrews & Maks
5. Zendaya & Val
6. Bill Engvall & Emma Slater (wonderful partnership)
7. Willow Shields & Mark Ballas
Oops one more Honorable Mention:
Maria Menunous & Derek Hough (she was a true fighter dancing with broken feet)
Derek & Amy/Kellie/Jennifer/Maria
Sharna & Noah
Meryl & Maks
Karina & Corbin
Mark & Sabrina
My All Time Favorite Couples on DWTS are,
1# Hope/Maks
2# Kate/Tony
3# Meryl/Maks
4# Master P/Ashly
5# Nastia/Derek
1 Rumer and Valentin
2. Hines and Kym
3. Gilles and Cheryl
4. Kara Tointon and Artem
5. Tommy Chong and Peta
I’ve decided to come back and include one honorable mention: Dorothy Hamill and Tristan MacManus.
I was thrilled when Dorothy was cast and paired with Tristan and couldn’t wait to watch their journey. Their contemporary was so sweet and gave a glimpse of the possibilities. Her injury-withdrawal from Season 16 in Week 2 will always be one of my DWTS heartbreak moments. They could easily have been one of my all-time favorites if their time on the show hadn’t ended almost before it began.
1. Charlie & Sharna They performed challenging routines – with quality and style, while being underscored (and other pairs grossly overscored), unnecessarily nitpicked, and disrespected. Too bad TPTB were soooo concerned with manipulating the MBT results. ***
2. Mel B & Maks / Laila & Maks
3. Cheryl & Drew
4. Helio & Julianne
5. Rob & Cheryl
*** Comments from #1 apply to other pairs (i.e. Ralph & Karina, Nastia & Derek, Willow & Mark, etc.)
I have a feeling the early couples are getting left off because it was so long ago. For example, I’m surprised that Emmitt and Cheryl aren’t on anyone’s list. Emmitt was the first shocking dancer for me. Shocking in that he was so smooth and could dance so well.
My first favorite couple was probably Joey and Edyta. They had some magical dances that I could never forget. That’s where my love affair with Edyta started. I guess next topic is favorite dances. You might have to do a top 50 for that Vogue π
I get that you kind of choose the star since the pro is the same, but the pro totally sways my opinion of the star. You could have anyone dance with Edyta and I’d pretty much be a fan.
Oh John. I love that idea!! Will do!
@John:t
I started watching DWTS Season 7 and Emmitt & Cheryl were in Season 3, so I didn’t getting really enjoy their journey. So, my list started at Season 7.
Eh, Mr A, NO ONE I know thought Pretty Woman as a Tango was a good idea. Far from “standard” on DWTS at that time. Most of us were very worried about it. For naught, obviously. Keep in mind that Derek never complained about it at all – it was those of us who heard the song in advance that were not cool with it. And Val caved on far easier selections – that was my point.
Yeah, I would say that what happened with Charlie and Sharna was the beginning of the fast downhill slide of this show, and one of my biggest disappointments. By the time we got to Nastia (who wasn’t treated AS badly), it was par for the course.
Willow and Mark don’t fall into this category as I don’t feel they were robbed or mistreated by the producers. She just wasn’t getting the votes and you could almost see that one coming because everyone liked her, but liked someone else better.
Mine would be (in no particular order)
1) Erin and Maks….. I still say she was his best partnership
2) Sadie and Mark…. I felt like she brought out the best in him and vice versa
3) Derek and Nastia….. My first of Derek’s partners that I was solely rooting for.
4) Alfonso and Witney….. I was with Courtney on the fact that it was a dream come true
5) Charlie and Sharna….. Two genuinely good people who were effed over majorly
The producers did give 14year old Willow the first dance of the season which I thought was pretty brutal.
1. Riker and Allison
2. Zendaya and Val
3. Mark and Shawn
4. kristi and Maks
5. Derek and Shawn
All things considered? The first dance of the season is nothing.
I agree, PH, TPTB were decent to Willow. They might not have been interested in pimping her because they had a very different agenda, but they weren’t giving her the Ralph/Charlie treatment (that was so sickening, I still have a hard time with it). Not sure why they decided to give her the first dance of the season, but I don’t think it was malicious. I think they just felt it would make good TV — “starting out with our youngest contestant *ever*…blah-blah-blah”
Vogue, oh pretty please… do a favorite dances post and make it at least our Top 20 (you know, one for every season) or maybe even Top 25 to give us a few extra to play with :D. Even then I know I’ll have a hard time just picking 20 or 25, but it will be such fun rewatchingall my favorites to try to decide which to choose! π
eeek … how do you narrow it down to 5, love reading what everyone else has said and it just reminds you how amazing they were.
not in order but for me:
1. Anna and Carson (just for the pure joy and Anna embracing the crazy)
2. Hines and Kym
3. Tamara Jaber & Carmello Pizzino (season 10 DWTS Australia – the GF rumba well worth a watch)
4. Mel B and Maks
5. Ian Roberts & Natalie Lowe (season 2 DWTS Australia – his ‘journey’)
I watch the local version of DWTS (Australia), plus Strictly and U.S., and I frequently rewatch dances on YouTube. I used that to sort of guide my top five, but I am with everyone else… Picking only five is SO HARD! But here we go anyway.. π
1. Amy Purdy and Derek Hough (US) –
How can I go past Amy? She was so inspirational and proved that the sky is the limit of your heart is in it.
2. Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole (UK) –
My favourite singer on one of my favourite shows was like a dream come true for me. She definitely did not disappoint. A class act all the way.
3. Ricki-Lee Coulter and Jarryd Byrne (AUS) –
I’ve realised across DWTS and Strictly that people either take it seriously and try their best, or take the piss with joke choreography. Ricki-Lee took it seriously, but threw a few jokey choreography steps into the mix too. Their foxtrot was adorable and her jive on switch up week was tongue in cheek but also full of strong content.
4. Pixie Lott and Trent Whiddon (UK) –
Holy cow they were amazing. Even on their worst week, they were better than every other contestant in the season that they were on. I still cannot believe they ended up in sixth place, especially after their fun and bouncy samba and aggressively fierce paso doble.
5. Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne/Karina (US) –
Without a doubt, the best male celebrity to perform on DWTS. In both seasons 4 and 15, he made every move look effortless and I definitely feel he deserved to be in the finale of Season 15. It’s unfortunate how he turned out to be one of the sacrificial lambs of All-Stars.
Honorable mentions :
Australia :
David Rodan and Melanie
Charli Delaney and Csaba
Patti Newton and Sandro
UK :
Holly Valance and Artem
Ashley Taylor Dawson and Ola
Emma Bunton and Darren
U.S. :
Nicole Scherzinger and Derek
Corbin Bleu and Karina
Tommy Chong and Peta
I also watched every video you posted of Adelina and Gleb and was mesmerized by each of their performances
Cids, ok I will. Look for a post next week! Thanks for your ideas too! If you have other ideas, let us know.
So many great choices, Everyone! Thanks for making this post so fun!!
Cameron, thanks and I’m so glad you saw all the videos of Gleb and Adelina. I still can’t believe what we witnessed with that show last season. Unforgettable.
1 Sadie Robertson & Mark Ballas
2 Alfonso Ribeiro & Witney Carson
3 Shawn Johnson & Mark Ballas/Derek Hough
4 Amy Purdy & Derek Hough
5 Sabrina Bryan & Louis van Amstel
Runners-up:
Apolo Anton Ohno & Julianne Hough
Mel B & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas
Gilles Marini & Cheryl Burke
Joanna Krupa & Derek Hough
Kirstie Alley & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
J.R. Martinez & Karina Smirnoff
Katherine Jenkins & Mark Ballas
Kelly Monaco & Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Apolo Anton Ohno & Karina Smirnoff
Kellie Pickler & Derek Hough
Zendaya & Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Jacoby Jones & Karina Smirnoff
Amber Riley & Derek Hough
Nicole Polizzi & Sasha Farber
Meryl Davis & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Bethany Mota & Derek Hough
Tommy Chong & Peta Murgatroyd
Willow Shields & Mark Ballas
“I still canβt believe what we witnessed with that show last season. Unforgettable.”
Well said. Vogue!
1.Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough–best couple of ALL TIME! I feel they’d beat anyone..including Meryl and Maks, Rumer and Val even Alfonso and Witney.
2.Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough–their Freestyle was EPIC!
3.Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough–EXPLOSIVE routines that helped Derek win his Emmy—mirrorball,schmirrorball π
4.Amy Purdy and Derek Hough–what these 2 created was pure excellence on the dance floor
5. Nastia and Derek—they got screwed ROYALLY by producers…their dancing was the best..we saw different routines from them rather than One-Note Rumer
Derek is a genius. He taught Model Joanna Krupa how to dance and does well with any type of partner you throw at him. He always does well and knows how to make his partner shine π He’d have even done well with some of the more difficult female contestants..like Kate Gosselin.
Oh! I can’t forget about Noelia Pompa and Hernan Piquin on Argentina’s DWTS!!
1. TIE: Sharna and Charlie, Sharna and Noah – loved them both for different reasons. Both awesome choreography by Ms. Burgess
2. Derek and Amy
3. TIE: Mark and Sadie, Mark and Willow
4. Sharna and Andy
5. Peeta and Tommy
Obviously I’m a Sharna fan, haha!
Shawn and Derek
Kyle and Lacey
Mel B and Maks
Chelsea Kane and Mark
Rumor and Val
Honorable Mention: Alfons Hader and Vadim Garbuzov (DWTS Austria)
I put them as an HM because they are the first ever same-sex couple I witnessed competing on Strictly/DWTS. I don’t understand a word they say but actions speak louder than words – watching them dancing together looks so effortless and just natural. Sure they weren’t amazing – their highest score was 34 (out of 40) despite making it to the top four, but I liked ALL of their dances, the celebrity seems to be a very nice man and the pro seems to be very laid back about the experience. He even went on to be a two-time winner after that. If same-sex couples were to be introduced in DWTS or Strictly, I hope they’ll becoming like Alfons and Vadim.
Now my top five:
5. Kelly Brook and Brendan Cole – Strictly Come Dancing S5
-> Alesha who? Lol no jk, I love Alesha too, but Kelly strikes me more with her manic personality. She was probably the best villain to ever appear on Strictly, and was very polarizing – you either love or hate her, there’s almost nothing in between. And she can dance too, if she were to stay she’ll give Alesha a run for her money (though I’m sure the latter will still be better). A final two of Alesha and Kelly (with Gethin getting 3rd) would be terrific. Brendan was still on Evil Brendan mode at the time but somehow they just match perfectly together. And that Jive, sorry St. Jill Halfpenny and the Holy Jive, I liked Kelly’s better. Bless me.
4. Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas – Dancing with the Stars S14
-> Going from one of the most evil to probably one of the sweetest, even if they appeared on different shows, Katherine wowed me from first to finish. She hardly ever miss a step, she danced flawlessly and she was very passionate. And she was a very nice woman, a nice change in the middle of the season filled with Maks being bitter, Maria having injuries all over her body, William getting pimped and Donald becoming Tom Chambers-esque annoying nearing the end. And she made Mark bearable. Bless her.
3. Amy Purdy and Derek Hough – Dancing with the Stars S18
-> What made me love Amy to no end is that (as cliche as it can be) how amazingly inspirational she is. With just natural musicality and hardworking attitude, she destroyed every single dances there. Even on the Jive, her kicks and flicks were better than Meryl’s. And Derek… Hats off to that man, creating magnificent routines for Amy every time. And their Freestyle was beautiful, it’s my favourite Freestyle ever done on DWTS, for pure beauty and great sum of Amy’s journey. I will never forget how I’m in awe of watching her spinning endlessly on that rope (you can go die now Len).
2. Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Brendan Cole – Strictly Come Dancing S11
-> First of all, Brendan isn’t my all-time favourite pro of Strictly – that title goes to Ian Waite – but he’s a close second. And Brendan’s Strictly journey was SO much more interesting. I haven’t even mentioned Lisa Snowdon. But Sophie here is another story. While everyone else’s eyes seem to be fixed on getting Craig’s 10 and the trophy, Sophie seems to be strolling around, eager to have the experience. She was nice, calm and collected – all the while being a great dancer as well. And that Charleston… Swoon. Might very well be a case when a dance IS robbed to be re-performed on the finale. I was a huge fan of her (not only since Groovejet, but her times with Theaudience as well), and she didn’t disappoint in Strictly at all – my favourite contestant on Strictly ever.
1. Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough – Dancing with the Stars S10
-> The best celebrity to ever compete on DWTS. The best pro to ever appear on DWTS. Add that with dynamic working relationship between them, what more can you ask? Nicole and Derek are, to me, the epitome of DWTS. The moment I hear DWTS mentioned I think of Derek. When I think of Derek, I think of his amazing choreography skills. When I think of that, I think how flawlessly Nicole did everything he threw at her. That 50’s Paso. That Rihanna Jive. Both of those Rumbas. That Buble Foxtrot. That Pretty Woman Tango. Nicole was also very engaging with her personality, and she had her fair share of personal moments, which made her all the more human to me. Simply the best team ever, and easily my favourite partnership on DWTS and Strictly combined.
Phew that was quite a ramble. Also, reading PH’s choices, I’m actually wondering if Courtney could make a rank pro’s partners list post or something. I just realized I never ranked the partners of Derek or Mark, that must’ve been interesting.
Can I just say how happy I am that some of the most underrated couples from Strictly’s history are getting some love, especially Sophie and Brendan, Holly and Artem and Kelly and Brendan.
I do kinda need to play devil’s advocate though, because for a variety of reasons my own votes were all for couples since 2010. It’s important to point out that there were some really great competitors in the early series of Strictly. Louisa Lytton and Vincent Simone ended up competing professionally together (sort of,) Zoe Ball and Colin Jackson both delivered week after week in Series 3, Jade Jones and Ian Waite were just starting to become a fascinating couple when she injured herself, and most of all there was season 2. The final was fantastic, with two of the highest quality and most likeable couples we’ve seen in Jill and Darren and Denise and Ian, and a fun joyous couple, Julian and Erin, who just couldn’t match the top 2 in dance quality but nonetheless deserved it completely. Interestingly, I wouldn’t consider myself an Ian Waite fan, but he made this list with 3 of his partners, which is pretty impressive.
My top 5 are
1. Kyle & Lacey
2. Kirstie & Maksim
3. Nastia & Derek
4. Candace & Mark
5. Carson & Anna
@ Kelly K #89
I can’t believe that Rumer & Val got out of doing the Quickstep. That’s one of the dances that tell people if the celeb can dance Ballroom and if the Pro can do good choreograph to it. I have my doubts that Val could match Derek’s choreo and Rumer could match the pace of Nastia & Sasha. Nastia/Derek/Sasha nailed everything and showed real ballroom dancing.
@KreativeKat #97
Well the QS is a fun dance…that goes against EVERYTHING that was Rumer Willis…dark and twisty, kinda like Meredith Grey. Rumer was ONE NOTE all season LONG including that lackluster, dull freestyle!
I KNOW Val couldn’t match Derek’s Choreo. He had me hoping with that awesome AT he choreoed for Meryl during Switch Up week….but then let me down ever since. He’s almost as 1 note as Rumer…it’s either a Showmance or Dark & Edgy with him.
So tough! I’m cheating so hard on this! In order of whose dances I rewatch the most:
Season 19- Alfonso Ribeiro & Witney Carson
Season 16- Kellie Pickler & Derek Hough and Zendaya & Val Chmerkovskiy
Season 5- Sabrina Bryan & Mark Ballas
Season 11- Jennifer Grey & Derek Hough
Season 18-Amy Purdy & Derek Hough and Charlie White & Sharna Burgess
Honorable mentions: Corbin Bleu & Karina Smirnoff,
Joey Fatone & Kym Johnson, Sadie Robertson & Mark Ballas, Mel B & Maks Chmerkovskiy, Apolo Anton Ohno & Julianne Hough
Forgot to add Shawn Johnson & Derek and Mark to my top 5 list! Loved her to bits with both my fave guys, but I’m giving the edge to her & Derek because her technique and performance ability was freakin mesmerizing on All Stars.
Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark are also up there. Among my fave winners because aside from being pretty flawless, that freestyle was so high octane!
And moving up Corbin & Karina to my top 5 list. Dream pairing!
So my “top 5” is technically a top 10 then, lol. I totally get what PH meant about needing a separate list for Derek & his partners and everyone else. His partnerships are not always my #1 as it depends on how I connect with the star, but he’s usually in my top 3 every season so my list can’t help but be Derek-heavy.
More Honorable Mentions:
Willow Shields & Mark Ballas- Love the fearlessness and creativity Mark showed with her. She grew so much in a short time.
Lil Kim & Derek Hough- This was the partnership that made me really like Derek. They had a surprisingly fun and effortless chemistry. Up to that point, it was the most stress-free I had seen Derek and I loved that side of him.
Also, round of applause to the couples that remained dedicated and classy in the face of TPTB’s nonsense. Apolo & Karina and Charlie & Sharna were pummeled all season to the point where they lost their joy in dancing, and Nastia & Derek’s screwage was to a lesser extent but still so left field…man, TPTB sure love to throw their Olympians under the bus.
@ Kelly #98
I agree with you about Val’s AT with Meryl. But, that’s his style to have a “wowie” choreographed dance once in a great while and never consistent. Both the C brothers are great dancers, esp. in the Latin styles and I do enjoy them when they dance with other female pros; but they can not choreograph dances for celebs consistently through their season on DWTS. I don’t care how many MBT’s they are handed to them; it doesn’t change this fact.
I can’t stand Nicole or Joanna as people, so it made it hard for me to like either of them on the show.
My list would be –
1) Alfonso and Witney…. just a childhood dream come true,
2) Erin and Maks…. I still contend that Erin was Maks’s best partner… she never let him get away with anything and I loved it when they fought.
3) Sadie and Mark…. she brought out the best in him and she had such a great attitude for the show
4) Zendaya and Val…. I just wish he would have done a better freestyle for her. I think it was fun and energetic and that was a good thing just the choreo wasn’t there.
5) Charlie White and Sharna….. He was such a ray of energy and Sharna’s routines were so good! I screamed at my TV when they went out fifth
Honorable Mentions:
Nastia and Derek – When everyone else thought she was bitchy…. I genuinely liked her. I thought their dances were really top notch and I think they did show her personality when the packages were wrong.
Sherri Shepherd and Val – I’d LOVE a second round of them because I think Sherri was robbed early. That energy and her comedy brought out the fun side of Val that I would like to see more of.
Bill Engvall and Emma Slater – Their Lone Ranger paso is still one of my favorites and he was such a hard worker!
Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd….. So much energy and so much fun
OH and I forgot Corbin and Karina and Amber and Derek…. that season was so tough because I loved Corbin and Amber equally!!! But Amber obviously won it with her freestyle. On Americas Best Dance Crew – they would call Corbin’s freestyle a lot of moving and posing.
Bethany Mota & Derek Hough
Snooki & Sasha
Amber Riley & Derek Hough
Willow Shields & Mark Ballas
Zendaya & Val Chmerkovskiy
Chelsea Kane & Mark Ballas
Kirstie Alley & Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Rob Kardashian & Cheryl Burke
Kyle Massey & Lacey Schwimmer
James Maslow & Peta Murgatroyd
Andy Dick & Sharna Burgess
Bill Engvall & Emma Slater
Alfonso Ribeiro & Witney Carson
Sadie Robertson & Mark Ballas
Riker Lynch & Allison Holker
Gladys Knight & Tristan MacManus
Nancy Grace & Tristan MacManus
Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani (SCD)
Pixie Lott & Trent Whiddon (SCD)
1. Kellie Pickler/Derek Hough tie with Bethany Mota /Derek Hough. Kellie because of her shear joy and commitment and light carefree personality and Bethany because she went from a sweet shy girl to a young woman of strength.
2. Katherine Jenkins / Mark Ballas. She was willing to learn and no high drama.
3. Erin Andrews /Maks C. She could stand up to Maks.
4. Jack Osborn / Cheryl Burke. He brought out a side of Cheryl we rarely see.
5. Maria Menounos / Derek Hough. Their friendship and respect for each other still carries on today.
Sorry need to add a number six: Snookie / Sasha. Snookie’s personality and talent was totally unexpected and Sasha proved to be worthy of any challenge as we got to see this season in helping Nastia and Derek.