Dancing With the Stars Season 33 Contestants: Full Lineup and Profiles
Dancing With the Stars Season 33 features a mix of returning pros and high-profile celebrities across a refreshed competitive format. This guide profiles every celebrity contestant, their professional partners, backgrounds, and what to expect from the season. Below, you’ll find a curated summary of each pairing, key format changes, and reliable resources for tracking scores and performances over the course of the competition.
Season Overview and Competition Format
Season 33 of Dancing With the Stars follows the show’s familiar weekly elimination structure, where couples perform a assigned and chosen dance each episode, receive judge scores and audience votes, and face off in dance-offs based on lowest combined totals. The season includes themed weeks, a semifinals round, and a two-hour live finale featuring the top three couples. For first-time viewers, the season emphasizes storytelling through choreography, with each dance designed to reflect the celebrity’s personal journey or public narrative.
How the Season Is Structured
- Weekly live performances on ABC
- Scores from a panel of judges and at-home voting via the app and website
- Dance-offs introduced when multiple couples tie for lowest scores
- Themed weeks such as Disney, '80s night, and Latin music
- Live finale with the top three couples competing for the Mirrorball Trophy
Celebrity Contestant Lineup
Season 33 brings a diverse roster of celebrity contestants spanning entertainment, sports, politics, and reality television. Each pairing is matched with a professional dancer whose strengths complement the celebrity’s performance goals and public image. The following core profiles summarize key background notes for context and storytelling angles relevant to their time on the floor.
Celebrity and Professional Pairings
| Celebrity | Professional Partner | Notable Background | Dance Style Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charli D’Amelio | Mark Ballas | Social media personality and dancer | Latin, Ballroom, Contemporary |
| Iman Vellani | Artem Chigvintsev | Actor known for Marvel and family comedies | Jazz, Ballroom, Quickstep |
| Carrie Ann Inaba | Alan Bersten | Judging veteran and choreographer | — |
| Jenna Johnson | Multiple All-Stars | Professional dancer and co-host background | — |
| Sage Rosen | Artem Chigvintsev | Retired NFL player | Argentine Tango, Salsa, Theater |
| Meryl Davis | Sasha Farber | ||
| Paula Abdul | Louis Van Amstel | Pop icon and judge | Jazz, Freestyle, Ballroom |
| Janelle Pierzina | Derek Hough | Reality TV competitor | Viennese Waltz, Salsa, Contemporary |
| Jaime King | Val Chmerkovskiy | Film and television actor | Argentine Tango, Foxtrot, Hip-Hop |
| Ariana Madix | Pasha Pashkov | Reality television personality | Salsa, Cha-Cha, Contemporary |
| Pnassa Lukac | Alan Bersten | Drag performer and entertainer | Jazz, Contemporary, Ballroom |
| Paul Reubens | Emma Slater | Rumba, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz |
Contestant Backgrounds and Storylines
Season 33 leverages the narrative depth of its cast, pairing lifelong performers with first-time dancers to create a wide range of emotional arcs. Longtime professionals such as Sasha Farber and Val Chmerkovskiy bring technical precision and on-camera experience, while celebrity newcomers contribute strong public recognition and engagement. Storylines often highlight personal milestones, philanthropic ties, and cultural representation, giving each routine a context beyond scoring. The season balances high-energy pairings with introspective performances, a mix designed to appeal to both legacy fans and new viewers.
Audience Engagement and How to Follow
Voting in Season 33 remains multi-channel, with in-app voting, website submissions, and social integrations shaping which couples advance each week. Viewers can track leaderboards, save favorite couples, and access exclusive behind-the-scenes content through the official ABC app. Social media channels provide real-time reactions, practice-room moments, and judge commentary, while recap episodes break down key performances and voting outcomes for casual observers.
How to Keep Up With the Season
- Check the official Dancing With the Stars website for weekly practice videos
- Use the ABC app for live voting and score updates
- Follow verified pro and celebrity accounts for rehearsal insights
- Watch recap and results episodes on ABC and streaming partners
- Join moderated fan communities for discussion and predictions
Judging Criteria and Performance Strategy
Each couple is evaluated on technique, performance quality, and chemistry, with judges offering feedback tailored to the dance style and celebrity background. Season 33 continues to emphasize clarity of footwork, musicality, and storytelling, encouraging pairs to choose routines that highlight contrast or harmony between partners. Professionals often adjust choreography in response to weekly scores, creating an evolving showcase of refinement and risk. Couples aiming for high placements typically balance safe, crowd-pleasing numbers with one or two ambitious, technique-driven pieces.
Comparisons to Previous Seasons
Compared to earlier cycles, Season 33 places stronger emphasis on diverse casting and cross-discipline pairings, including athletes, streamers, and political figures. The integration of digital engagement tools has refined the at-home voting experience, while themed weeks add variety to the traditional ballroom and Latin repertoire. While the core scoring mechanics remain consistent, the season’s narrative focus on personal growth and legacy resonates with both longtime viewers and newer audiences discovering the show through streaming platforms.