Dancing with the Stars: Juniors is an American children's dance competition television series that premiered on October 7, 2018, on ABC. It was a spin-off of the Dancing with the Stars series, which is based on the British reality TV competition Strictly Come Dancing. The format of the show featured celebrity children (either in their own right or having celebrity parentage) paired with professional junior ballroom dancers and mentored by an adult professional dancer. The couples competed against each other by performing choreographed dance routines in front of a panel of judges. In September 2019, ABC cancelled the series after one season.Dancing with the Stars: Juniors
Format Like Dancing with the Stars, the scores used for eliminations were based 50% on the judges' scores and 50% on audience voting. Unlike the parent series, only studio audience members who are not family members during each week's episode were able to vote; there is no at-home voting. The team with the lowest total score after combining votes and judges' scores is eliminated.
Cast
Couples and mentors On August 1, 2018, the junior professional dancers and adult mentors were revealed. On September 25, during the second episode of season 27 of Dancing with the Stars, the junior celebrities were announced. +Cast of Dancing with the Stars: Juniors Celebrity Notability Professional partner Coach Status Tripp Johnston Palin Son of Bristol Palin & grandson of Sarah Palin Hailey Bills Jenna JohnsonEliminated 1st Addison Osta Smith MasterChef Junior winner Lev Cameron Khmelev Keo Motsepe Hudson West General Hospital actor Kameron Couch Hayley ErbertEliminated 3rd Sophia Pippen Daughter of Scottie & Larsa Pippen Jake Monreal Sasha FarberEliminated 4th Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson Here Comes Honey Boo Boo star Tristan Ianiero Artem ChigvintsevEliminated 5th Jason Maybaum Raven's Home & Freaky Friday actor Elliana Walmsley Emma SlaterEliminated 6th Akash Vukoti Scripps National Spelling Bee participant Kamri Peterson Witney CarsonEliminated 7th Mandla Morris Son of Stevie Wonder & fashion designer Brightyn Brems Cheryl BurkeEliminated 8th Miles Brown Black-ish actor Rylee Arnold Lindsay ArnoldRunners-up Ariana Greenblatt Stuck in the Middle actress Artyon Celestine Brandon Armstrong Mackenzie Ziegler Dance Moms alum, singer & actress Sage Rosen Gleb Savchenko Sky Brown Professional skateboarder JT Church Alan BerstenWinners
Hosts and judges Dancing with the Stars season 25 winner Jordan Fisher and finalist Frankie Muniz served as the hosts. Two-time professional champion Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Emmy winning choreographer Mandy Moore, and season 26 celebrity champion Adam Rippon served as the judges.
Dance troupe The Dancing with the Stars: Juniors troupe consisted of Makeila Lawrence, Cody Bingham, Reese Hatala, Sebastian Jozuka, and Daniel Novikov. They were mentored by Dancing with the Stars troupe member Morgan Larson.
Future appearances Rylee Arnold became a professional dancer on season 32 of Dancing with the Stars.
Hailey Bills became a professional dancer as a member of the troupe on season 34., then promoted to a professional dancer on the main cast for season 35.
Jake Monreal competed on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.
Kamri Peterson was announced as a first-time troupe member for season 35 on August 2, 2026, during the series' inaugural fan convention.
Episodes
Scoring charts The highest score each week is indicated in with a dagger (). The lowest score each week is indicated in with a double-dagger ().
CouplePlace1234567898+9 Sky & JT 1 22 22 24 26 23 27 29+28=57 30+30=117 Miles & Rylee2 22 27 26 28+30=58 28+30=116 Ariana & Artyon 25 22 27 27 28+28= 30+28= Mackenzie & Sage 22 25 27 27 26 30+30= 28+30= Mandla & Brightyn 5 22 21 23 25 27 Akash & Kamri 6 21 21 21 Jason & Elliana 7 18 21 22 2525 Honey Boo Boo & Tristan 8 19 21 Sophia & Jake 9 21 20 Hudson & Kameron 10 2222 Tripp & Hailey1117 Addison & Lev
Weekly scores Individual judges' scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Mandy Moore, Adam Rippon.
Week 1: First Dances Each couple performed the cha-cha-cha, foxtrot, jive or salsa. Couples are listed in the order they performed. CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult Jason & Elliana 18 (6, 6, 6) Cha-cha-cha "Bills" — LunchMoney Lewis Safe Tripp & Hailey 17 (6, 5, 6) Foxtrot "Mama Said" — The Shirelles Eliminated Addison & Lev 15 (5, 5, 5) Cha-cha-cha "Burnin' Up" — Jessie J, featuring 2 Chainz Eliminated Miles & Rylee 22 (7, 8, 7) Salsa "Who Let the Dogs Out?" — Baha Men Safe Sophia & Jake 21 (7, 7, 7) Jive "Do You Love Me" — The Contours Safe Hudson & Kameron 22 (7, 7, 8) Cha-cha-cha "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" — Shawn Mendes Safe Ariana & Artyon 24 (8, 8, 8) Cha-cha-cha "Cut to the Feeling" — Carly Rae Jepsen Safe Mackenzie & Sage 22 (7, 7, 8) Foxtrot "New York, New York" — Ray Quinn, featuring Ultra Love Safe Honey Boo Boo & Tristan 19 (6, 6, 7) Salsa "Conga" — Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine Safe Mandla & Brightyn 24 (8, 8, 8) Jive "Land of a Thousand Dances" — Chris Kenner Safe Akash & Kamri 21 (7, 7, 7) Foxtrot "L-O-V-E" — Nat King Cole Safe Sky & JT 22 (8, 7, 7) Salsa "Light It Up" — Major Lazer, featuring Nyla & Fuse ODG Safe
Week 2: Song from the Year I Was Born Each couple performed one unlearned dance to a song that came out the year the celebrities were born. The Argentine tango, paso doble, and quickstep were introduced. Couples are listed in the order they performed. CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult Mackenzie & Sage 24 (8, 8, 8) Quickstep "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" — Jet Safe Sky & JT 22 (7, 7, 8) Cha-cha-cha "Just Dance" — Lady Gaga, featuring Colby O'Donis Safe Sophia & Jake 20 (7, 6, 7) Foxtrot "Love Story" — Taylor Swift Safe Jason & Elliana 21 (7, 7, 7) Jive "Shake It" — Metro Station Safe Mandla & Brightyn 22 (7, 7, 8) Salsa "Pump It" — The Black Eyed Peas Safe Hudson & Kameron 22 (7, 8, 7) Paso doble "4 Minutes" — Madonna, featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland Eliminated Miles & Rylee 24 (8, 8, 8) Argentine tango "I Don't Want to Be" — Gavin DeGraw Safe Honey Boo Boo & Tristan 19 (6, 6, 7) Cha-cha-cha "Don't Cha" — The Pussycat Dolls Safe Akash & Kamri 21 (7, 7, 7) Cha-cha-cha "Dynamite" — Taio Cruz Safe Ariana & Artyon 24 (8, 8, 8) Jive "Girlfriend" — Avril Lavigne Safe
Week 3: Disney Night Each couple performed one unlearned dance to a song from a Disney film. The Charleston, contemporary, jazz, and samba were introduced. Couples are listed in the order they performed. CoupleScoresDanceMusic Disney filmResult Sophia & Jake 19 (7, 6, 6) Samba "Poor Unfortunate Souls" — Pat Carroll The Little Mermaid Eliminated Mackenzie & Sage 27 (9, 9, 9) Contemporary "Colors of the Wind" — Tori Kelly Pocahontas Safe Ariana & Artyon 25 (9, 8, 8) Samba "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" — Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu Lilo & Stitch Safe Mandla & Brightyn 21 (7, 7, 7) Jazz "Un Poco Loco" — Gael García Bernal & Anthony Gonzalez Coco Safe Miles & Rylee 27 (9, 9, 9) Charleston "One Jump Ahead" — Brad Kane Aladdin Safe Honey Boo Boo & Tristan 21 (7, 7, 7) Foxtrot "Something There" — Howard Ashman & Alan Menken Beauty and the Beast Safe Sky & JT 24 (8, 8, 8) Contemporary "How Far I'll Go" — Auliʻi Cravalho Moana Safe Jason & Elliana 22 (8, 7, 7) Foxtrot "You've Got a Friend in Me" — Jordan Fisher, featuring Olivia Holt Toy Story Safe Akash & Kamri 21 (7, 7, 7) Jive "Zero to Hero" — Ariana Grande Hercules Safe
Week 4: Halloween Night Each couple performed one unlearned dance to Halloween themes and songs. Couples are listed in the order they performed. CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult Akash & Kamri 21 (7, 7, 7) Argentine tango "Weird Science" — Oingo Boingo Safe Mandla & Brightyn 23 (8, 8, 7) Charleston "Witch Doctor" — Cartoons Safe Mackenzie & Sage 25 (8, 8, 9) Jive "Monster Mash" — Atwater Men's Club Safe Jason & Elliana 25 (8, 9, 8) Argentine tango "Youngblood" — 5 Seconds of Summer Safe Ariana & Artyon 22 (7, 8, 7) Paso doble "Ways to be Wicked" — from Descendants 2 Safe Honey Boo Boo & Tristan 21 (7, 7, 7) Jazz "Ghostbusters" — Ray Parker Jr. Eliminated Sky & JT 26 (9, 9, 8) Jive "Little Shop of Horrors" — Kidz Bop Safe Miles & Rylee 27 (9, 9, 9) Samba "I Want Candy" — Bow Wow Wow Safe
Week 5: Juniors' Choice Each couple performed one unlearned dance to a song of their choice. Couples are listed in the order they performed. CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult Miles & Rylee 27 (9, 9, 9) Jazz "Space Jam" — Quad City DJ's Safe Mackenzie & Sage 27 (9, 9, 9) Cha-cha-cha "What If" — Johnny Orlando & Mackenzie Ziegler Safe Jason & Elliana 25 (9, 8, 8) Jazz "It's Tricky" — Run-DMC Eliminated Akash & Kamri 20 (7, 7, 6) Charleston "Do Your Thing" — Basement Jaxx Safe Sky & JT 23 (8, 8, 7) Samba "The Greatest" — Sia Safe Mandla & Brightyn 25 (8, 9, 8) Cha-cha-cha "Perm" — Bruno Mars Safe Ariana & Artyon 28 (9, 9, 10) Jazz "Rolex" — Ayo & Teo Safe
Week 6: Giving Thanks Each couple performed one unlearned dance dedicated to someone important in their lives. Couples are listed in the order they performed. CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult Ariana & Artyon 27 (9, 9, 9) Salsa "Píntame" — Elvis Crespo Safe Mandla & Brightyn 27 (9, 9, 9) Foxtrot "Isn't She Lovely" — Stevie Wonder Safe Akash & Kamri 23 (8, 8, 7) Jazz "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" — A. R. Rahman & The Pussycat Dolls Eliminated Miles & Rylee 26 (9, 9, 8) Foxtrot "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" — Marvin Gaye Safe Sky & JT 29 (9, 10, 10) Foxtrot "Unconditionally" – Katy Perry Safe Mackenzie & Sage 27 (9, 9, 9) Samba "Cheap Thrills" – Sia, featuring Sean Paul Safe
Week 7: Time Machine Each couple performed one unlearned dance to an era of their choice. Couples are listed in the order they performed. CoupleScoresDanceEraMusicResult Miles & Rylee 28 (9, 9, 10) Jive 1950s "Rock Around the Clock" — Bill Haley & His Comets Safe Mackenzie & Sage 26 (9, 8, 9) Jazz 1980s "Call Me Maybe" — Carly Rae Jepsen Safe 24 (8, 8, 8) Paso doble Future "Gangsta's Paradise" — 2WEI Eliminated Ariana & Artyon 27 (9, 9, 9) Quickstep 1940s "Classic" — MKTO Safe Sky & JT 27 (9, 9, 9) Charleston 1920s "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)" — Fergie, featuring Q-Tip & GoonRock Safe
Week 8: Semi-Finals Each couple performed one unlearned dance and a team fusion dance. No elimination took place. Couples are listed in the order they performed. CoupleScoresDanceMusic Mackenzie & Sage 30 (10, 10, 10) Paso doble "The Edge of Glory" — Lady Gaga Sky & JT 29 (10, 9, 10) Argentine tango "Thunder" — Imagine Dragons Miles & Rylee 28 (9, 10, 9) Cha-cha-cha "Shake Señora" — Pitbull, featuring T-Pain & Sean Paul Ariana & Artyon 28 (9, 9, 10) Foxtrot "We're All in This Together" — from High School Musical Mackenzie & SageMiles & Rylee 30 (10, 10, 10) Jazz/Samba(Team U.S.A.) "Party in the U.S.A." — Miley Cyrus Ariana & ArtyonSky & JT 28 (10, 9, 9) Foxtrot/Jive(Team Smalls) "369" — Rhett George
Week 9: Finale Each couple performed their favorite dance during the competition with their mentor and a holiday-themed freestyle. Couples are listed in the order they performed. CoupleMentorScoresDanceMusicResult Gleb Savchenko 28 (9, 9, 10) "What If" — Johnny Orlando & Mackenzie Ziegler Runners-up Freestyle "Drummer Boy" — Justin Bieber, featuring Busta Rhymes Ariana & Artyon Brandon Armstrong 30 (10, 10, 10) Jazz "Rolex" — Ayo & Teo 28 (9, 10, 9) Freestyle "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" — Lindsey Stirling, featuring Sabrina Carpenter Miles & Rylee Lindsay Arnold 28 (10, 9, 9) Salsa "Who Let the Dogs Out" — Baha Men 30 (10, 10, 10) Freestyle "Sleigh Ride" — District 78 Sky & JT Alan Bersten 30 (10, 10, 10) Salsa "Light it Up" — Major Lazer, featuring Nyla & Fuse ODG Winners 30 (10, 10, 10) Freestyle "Underneath the Tree" — Kelly Clarkson
Dance chart The celebrities and professional partners danced one of these routines for each corresponding week: Week 1 (First Dances): One unlearned dance