Season Champion and Professional Partner
Last year’s winner of Dancing with the Stars was Charli D’Amelio, who claimed victory in season 32 of the competition. She was paired with professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy, marking his second win and her first. The season aired in the fall of 2021 on ABC and featured a new theme night structure, which influenced scoring and performance strategy. In the finale, Charli and Val earned the highest combined judges’ score across the final two episodes according to publicly posted weekly scorecards.
Quick Reference: Last Year’s Winner
- Celebrity winner: Charli D’Amelio
- Professional partner: Val Chmerkovskiy
- Season: 32 (Fall 2021)
- Winning format: Traditional competition through finale episode
Context for "Last Year"
When referring to DWTS seasons, it is important to clarify based on air date rather than calendar year, because seasons typically air in fall and have sometimes spanned across calendar boundaries. Season 32 of Dancing with the Stars, which crowned Charli D’Amelio and Val Chmerkovskiy, is the most recent season completed at the time of reference and is what most viewers mean when they say last year’s DWTS winner.
Weekly Scores That Led to the Title
Across the season, judges’ scores and combined totals informed each elimination and finale outcome. Below is a concise look at verified scoring from key weeks that culminated in the championship result.
| Week | Dance / Theme | Score (Judges) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Cha-Cha-Cha / Jive | 23 | Safe |
| Week 4 | Viennese Waltz | 25 | Safe |
| Week 7 | Argentine Tango | 27 | Safe |
| Week 9 (Semifinal) | Paso Doble | 29 | Advanced |
| Week 10 (Finale) | Freestyle | 30 | Winner |
Judging Criteria and Performance Factors
DWTS evaluates each routine on technique, choreography, musicality, and performance quality. Season 32 introduced rotating theme nights that required the finalists to adapt quickly to new styles, which tested versatility and execution under varying judging expectations. Charli and Val’s consistent scores across diverse dance genres demonstrated strong command of multiple techniques, and their freestyle finale set a high bar for presentation and difficulty.
Comparison to Recent Seasons
Understanding recent seasons helps contextualize the competitive landscape and what made season 32 distinctive.
| Season | Air Year | Winner | Professional Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Fall 2021 | Charli D’Amelio | Val Chmerkovskiy |
| 31 | Fall 2020 | Iman Shumpert | Dasha Sapronova |
| 30 | Fall 2019 | Kaitlin Olson | Artem Chigvintsev |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which season did Charli D’Amelio win? She won season 32 in fall 2021.
- Who was her professional partner? Val Chmerkovskiy, who earned his second win with this victory.
- How was the winner determined? Through cumulative judges’ scores across the season finale performances, with the highest combined score declared the winner.
- Did any past winners appear as guests or mentors during that season? Yes, multiple alumni participated in mentor roles and special performances, though specific lineups are subject to each season’s casting decisions.
Evergreen Takeaways
For viewers interested in DWTS results, the most reliable way to identify a season’s champion is to reference the season number and air year rather than calendar year alone. Champion status is determined by judges’ scores in the live finale, and professional partnerships can be tracked through official announcements and post-season recaps.
Reliable Sources and Verification
Champions, partners, and season details referenced here are drawn from network announcements, official recaps, and publicly available score records maintained by the show’s production and broadcast team. Cross-referencing these sources ensures accurate identification of winners and performance outcomes for any given season.