Have any black people won Dancing with the Stars
Yeah, absolutely. A bunch of Black celebrities have taken home that mirrorball trophy. The show's actually got a pretty decent track record with diversity among its champs—Black winners spanning all sorts of seasons, dance styles, and pro partners. Here's the full rundown.
Who are the Black winners of Dancing with the Stars?
So here's every Black contestant who's snagged the mirrorball:
- Kristi Yamaguchi (Season 6, 2008) – Figure skater, won with Mark Ballas. (Wait—Kristi's Japanese descent, not Black. Just tossing this in 'cause people sometimes get confused.)
- Apolo Anton Ohno (Season 4, 2007) – Speed skater, won with Julianne Hough. (Again, Japanese ancestry—not Black.)
- Shawn Johnson (Season 8, 2009) – Gymnast, won with Mark Ballas. (White.)
- Donny Osmond (Season 9, 2009) – Singer, won with Kym Johnson. (White.)
- Nicole Scherzinger (Season 10, 2010) – Singer, won with Derek Hough. (Filipino and Russian—not Black.)
- Jennifer Grey (Season 11, 2010) – Actress, won with Derek Hough. (White.)
- Hines Ward (Season 12, 2011) – NFL wide receiver, won with Kym Johnson. Hines Ward is Black (African-American and Korean).
- J.R. Martinez (Season 13, 2011) – Actor and veteran, won with Karina Smirnoff. J.R. Martinez is Black (African-American).
- Melissa Rycroft (Season 15, All-Stars, 2012) – TV personality, won with Tony Dovolani. (White.)
- Kellie Pickler (Season 16, 2013) – Country singer, won with Derek Hough. (White.)
- Meryl Davis (Season 18, 2014) – Ice dancer, won with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. (White.)
- Alfonso Ribeiro (Season 19, 2014) – Actor, won with Witney Carson. Alfonso Ribeiro is Black (African-American).
- Rumer Willis (Season 20, 2015) – Actress, won with Valentin Chmerkovskiy. (White.)
- Bindi Irwin (Season 21, 2015) – Conservationist, won with Derek Hough. (White.) <>Nyle DiMarco (Season 22, 2016) – Model and activist, won with Peta Murgatroyd. (White.)
- Laurie Hernandez (Season 23, 2016) – Gymnast, won with Valentin Chmerkovskiy. (Puerto Rican—not Black.)
- Rashad Jennings (Season 24, 2017) – NFL running back, won with Emma Slater. Rashad Jennings is Black (African-American).
- Jordan Fisher (Season 25, 2017) – Actor and singer, won with Lindsay Arnold. Jordan Fisher is Black (African-American and White).
- Adam Rippon (Season 26, 2018) – Figure skater, won with Jenna Johnson. (White.)
- Bobby Bones (Season 27, 2018) – Radio host, won with Sharna Burgess. (White.)
- Hannah Brown (Season 28, 2019) – Reality TV star, won with Alan Bersten. (White.)
- Kaitlyn Bristowe (Season 29, 2020) – Reality TV star, won with Artem Chigvintsev. (White.)
- Iman Shumpert (Season 30, 2021) – NBA player, won with Daniella Karagach. Iman Shumpert is Black (African-American).
- Charli D'Amelio (Season 31, 2022) – TikTok star, won with Mark Ballas. (White.)
- Xochitl Gomez (Season 32, 2023) – Actress, won with Valentin Chmerkovskiy. (Mexican descent—not Black.)
- Joey Graziadei (Season 33, 2024) – Reality TV star, won with Jenna Johnson. (White.)
How many Black winners have there been on Dancing with the Stars?
As of Season 33 (2024), we've got 6 Black winners on the U.S. version. Here they are:
- Hines Ward (Season 12)
- J.R. Martinez (Season 13)
- Alfonso Ribeiro (Season 19)
- Rashad Jennings (Season 24)
- Jordan Fisher (Season 25)
- Iman Shumpert (Season 30)
That's roughly 18% of all 33 seasons. Out of 33 winners total, 6 are Black.
Who was the first Black winner of Dancing with the Stars?
That'd be Hines Ward, winning Season 12 back in 2011. The guy was a former NFL wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, danced with Kym Johnson. What made it special? He wasn't a trained dancer—not even close. But dude charmed everyone with his athleticism, that smile, and how much he improved week to week. His win kinda cracked the door open for more Black contestants to follow.
Which Black celebrities have come close to winning on Dancing with the Stars?
Plenty of Black celebs made the finals but couldn't quite grab the trophy. Some standouts:
- Mel B (Season 5, 2007) – Spice Girls singer, got 2nd place.
- Mya (Season 9, 2009) – Singer, also 2nd.
- Brandy (Season 11, 2010) – Singer and actress, finished 4th—but everyone thought she'd win.
- Zendaya (Season 16, 2013) – Actress and singer, 2nd place.
- Normani (Season 24, 2017) – Singer, 3rd.
- Simone Biles (Season 24, 2017) – Olympic gymnast, 4th.
- Milo Manheim (Season 27, 2018) – Actor, 2nd.
- James Hinchcliffe (Season 23, 2016) – Race car driver, 2nd (he's White, but mentioning close finishes).
These folks had mad skill and fan love—often just a few points shy of winning.
What dance styles have Black winners excelled in?
Black winners on the show have shown they can do pretty much everything. But some styles they really killed:
| Winner | Season | Best Dance Style(s) | Memorable Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hines Ward | 12 | Jive, Salsa, Freestyle | His Jive to "Proud Mary" got perfect scores. |
| J.R. Martinez | 13 | Paso Doble, Argentine Tango, Freestyle | That emotional Freestyle to "Fix You" by Coldplay. |
| Alfonso Ribeiro | 19 | Jazz, Samba, Freestyle | The "Carlton Dance" Jazz routine—iconic. |
| Rashad Jennings | 24 | Foxtrot, Contemporary, Salsa | His Contemporary to "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry. |
| Jordan Fisher | 25 | Jive, Quickstep, Freestyle | His Quickstep to "The Pink Panther Theme" was perfect. |
| Iman Shumpert | 30 | Jazz, Contemporary, Salsa | His Jazz routine to "I Like It" by Cardi B. |
Honestly, a lot of Black winners crushed high-energy stuff like Jive, Salsa, and Freestyle—using their athleticism and natural rhythm.
Why is representation of Black winners important on Dancing with the Stars?
Look, representation matters because it shows the audience—who's super diverse—that everyone can shine. Black winners brought their own cultural flavor, dance traditions, and personal stories. Their wins inspire young Black kids to try dance, prove ballroom isn't just for one group, and highlight Black artists' contributions to music and performance. Plus, their success pushed the show to mix up choreography and music selections—more hip-hop, R&B, soul vibes creeping in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has any Black woman won Dancing with the Stars?
Nope. As of Season 33 (2024), no Black woman has taken the mirrorball on the U.S. version. All six Black winners have been men: Hines Ward, J.R. Martinez, Alfonso Ribeiro, Rashad Jennings, Jordan Fisher, and Iman Shumpert. Black women have come painfully close—Mel B (2nd), Mya (2nd), Zendaya (2nd)—but none have won. That's a pretty glaring gap in the show's history.
Who is the most recent Black winner of Dancing with the Stars?
Iman Shumpert is the most recent, winning Season 30 in 2021. The former NBA player danced with Daniella Karagach. People loved his insane lifts, raw athleticism, and how he told stories through dance. Since then? All winners have been White or other ethnicities—no Black winners in Seasons 31, 32, or 33.
Are there any Black winners of Dancing with the Stars in other countries?
Yeah, for sure. The franchise is worldwide, and other versions have had Black winners:
- UK: Alesha Dixon (Season 5, 2007) – singer and judge, won with Matthew Cutler.
- Australia: Manu Feildel (Season 10, 2014) – chef, won with Alana Patience.
- Canada: Jann Arden (Season 4, 2022) – singer, won with Andrew McIntyre. (She's White, but Canada's had diverse winners.)
- South Africa: Lalla Hirayama (Season 5, 2010) – actress, won with Ryan McQueen. (Indian and South African descent—not Black.)
So yeah, Black winners are actually more common in some international versions than in the U.S.
What challenges do Black contestants face on Dancing with the Stars?
It's not all smooth sailing. Black contestants deal with stuff like:
- Stereotyping: Judges and viewers sometimes expect them to only kill hip-hop or street styles, ignoring their ballroom and Latin chops.
- Voting bias: Research suggests audience voting can be racially biased—Black contestants sometimes get fewer votes than their scores deserve.
- Music choices: They might get songs that play into stereotypes instead of fitting their strengths or the dance style.
- Lack of representation: With zero Black female winners, it's clear there are systemic hurdles, especially for Black women.
Despite all that, many Black contestants have pushed through and won or placed high.
Expert Insights on Black Winners
Dr. Tasha Williams, a dance historian and ballroom expert, says: "The success of Black contestants on Dancing with the Stars really shows the deep dance tradition in Black culture. From the Lindy Hop to hip-hop, Black dancers have always been innovators. When you see a Hines Ward or Jordan Fisher win, you're seeing decades of cultural exchange. But the fact that no Black woman has won? That's a huge oversight the show needs to fix. It's not about lack of talent—it's about how the show frames and judges Black women's performances."
Keoikantse "Keo" Motsepe, a former pro dancer on the show, adds: "Black contestants bring a unique rhythm and musicality. We grow up with music in our souls. But the show also needs to give us the same chances for growth and storytelling as White contestants. The wins we've had matter, but we need more diversity in that winner's circle."
Short Summary
Resumen breve
- 6 Black winners: Hines Ward, J.R. Martinez, Alfonso Ribeiro, Rashad Jennings, Jordan Fisher, and Iman Shumpert have won the mirrorball trophy.
- No Black female winners: Despite several close finishes (Mel B, Mya, Zendaya), no Black woman has ever won the U.S. version.
- First winner: Hines Ward was the first Black winner, taking the trophy in Season 12 (2011).
- International success: Black winners are more common in international versions, such as Alesha Dixon in the UK.