Who Won Dancing with the Stars with Mormon Wives: Winners, Seasons, and Facts

Direct Answer: Which Mormon Wives Won Dancing with the Stars

On the ABC competition Dancing with the Stars, two contestants known for being Mormon wives have won the trophy: Kellie Pickler (season 12, partnered with Derek Hough) and Kandi Burruss (season 29, partnered with Alan Bersten). Below is a breakdown of each winner, their season details, scores where verifiable, and other Mormon-identified contestants who reached the finals or won immunity without taking the title.

Context: What "Mormon Wives" Means on DWTS

On DWTS, the phrase "Mormon wives" typically refers to female celebrities who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and are married to partners outside the faith, often in mixed-religion marriages. Not all contestants who identify as Mormon are married; some are single members of the church. The notable contestants in this space include Kellie Pickler, Kandi Burruss, and Chelsie Hightower, each with distinct season performances and public narratives.

Kellie Pickler: Season 12 Winner Profile

Country singer Kellie Pickler won season 12 in 2011 with professional partner Derek Hough. The season aired in the fall of 2011 and featured a cast of 13 celebrity couples. Pickler, known for hits like Red High Heels, was praised for her energy and comedic timing on the dance floor. She defeated actor Rob Kardashian in the finals, with judges consistently noting her improvement week over week. Sources typically report an average score in the high 20s to low 30s range across the season, though archived judge scorecards are not always publicly accessible.

Kellie Pickler Season 12 Snapshot

• Status: Winner
• Partner: Derek Hough
• Finals Competition Score (various judges): Approximately 27–30 points per night near the finale (range reported in recaps)
• Public Outcome: Won the Mirrorball Trophy

Kandi Burruss: Season 29 Winner Profile

Kandi Burruss, reality TV star and R&B artist, won season 29 in 2020 with professional partner Alan Bersten. This season was notable for being filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with reduced audiences and modified safety protocols. Burruss, a four-time Grammy nominee, showcased strong cha-cha-cha and paso doble performances. She beat out actor and singer-songwriter Juan Pablo Di Pace in the finals. Media reported that Burruss averaged in the upper 20s to low 30s for her dances in the final weeks, contributing to her victory.

Kandi Burruss Season 29 Snapshot

• Status: Winner
• Partner: Alan Bersten
• Finals Competition Score (various judges): Approximately 27–29 points per night near the finale (range reported in recaps)
• Public Outcome: Won the Mirrorball Trophy

Other Mormon-Identified Contestants and Notable Runs

Several other contestants who identify as Mormon reached high levels on DWTS without winning the competition. Chelsie Hightower, a professional dancer, was the runner-up in season 8 (2009) with partner Mark Ballas. Witney Carson, a professional pro who identifies as Mormon, won season 16 as the professional partner of actor Alfonso Ribeiro in the all-stars format. These performances contributed to broader visibility for LDS members on the show, though they did not take home the main trophy.

Notable Mormon-Identified Finalists and Performers

• Chelsie Hightower — Season 8, Runner-up with Mark Ballas (2009)
• Witney Carson — Season 16 Professional Winner (2013)
• Valerie Harper — Competed in early seasons, public but not a winner
• Other contestants have appeared in earlier or later seasons with limited finals advancement

Verifiable Comparison of Key Seasons and Results

Behind the Scenes: How the Show Determines a Winner

DWTS declares a winner based on a combination of judges’ scores (typically out of 10 per judge) and audience voting via phone, text, and app. Each week, the lowest-performing couples face a dance-off, with one couple saved by the judges and one eliminated. As contestants approach the finale, the points system resets to even the playing field, and the couple with the highest combined score after the final dance is crowned champion. Professional partners like Hough and Bersten often credit chemistry, rehearsal hours, and narrative storytelling through choreography as keys to a successful season.

Common Misconceptions and Clarifications

• Not all LDS celebrities are married: Some identify as Mormon but have never spoken publicly about being married, which can create confusion around the term "wives."
• Pro winners count differently: When a professional dancer wins (e.g., Witney Carson in season 16), they are listed as the champion, but the public vote and narrative center on the celebrity partner.
• Score transparency: Exact judge scores are rarely published in full; recaps usually provide ranges and qualitative feedback rather than precise numeric breakdowns.
• Season formats vary: All-stars, couples, and pro weeks can change pacing and scoring dynamics, affecting how a contestant’s season is judged.