The twenty-ninth season of the American reality competition series Dancing with the Stars premiered on September 14, 2020 on ABC and streamed on Hulu. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was filmed without a live studio audience.
On November 23, The Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev were crowned the champions, while Catfish host Nev Schulman and Jenna Johnson finished in second place, rapper and singer Nelly and Daniella Karagach finished in third place, and actress Justina Machado and Sasha Farber finished in fourth.
Cast
Couples This season featured fifteen celebrity contestants. Continuing from last season, the couples were not announced in advance and were instead revealed on the season premiere. During The Bachelor: Greatest Seasons - Ever!, season 11's Bachelorette, Kaitlyn Bristowe, was announced as the first celebrity participant. On August 24, 2020, it was reported that AJ McLean, member of Backstreet Boys, would be a celebrity participant as well; McLean was later officially revealed on August 27. On August 29, 2020, it was reported that Anne Heche, Jesse Metcalfe, and Vernon Davis would be celebrity participants in the season. The other celebrity participants were revealed on Good Morning America on September 2.
Fourteen of the professional dancers was announced on Good Morning America on August 18, 2020, with the fifteenth professional announced on August 24. Ten professionals from the previous season returned, along with Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, and Keo Motsepe, all of whom last competed in season 27. Two new pros were added: Daniella Karagach, previously a featured dancer, and Britt Stewart, a former troupe member, who is the first black female to become a pro.
Celebrity Notability Professional partner Status NBA power forward Eliminated 1st Tiger King cast member & animal activist Eliminated 2nd Film & television actress Eliminated 3rd Film & television actor Eliminated 4th NFL tight end Eliminated 5th Cheer cast member & coach Eliminated 6th Television host & stylist Withdrew Actress & Selling Sunset cast member Eliminated 7th Backstreet Boys singer Eliminated 8th Olympic figure skater Eliminated 9th Disney Channel actress Eliminated 10th Film & television actress Fourth place Rapper & singer Third place Catfish host & producer Runners-up The Bachelorette star Winners
Hosts and judges On July 13, 2020, it was announced that Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews would not return as hosts. The next day, it was announced that Tyra Banks was hired as the new host and would also serve as an executive producer. Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli returned as judges for the season.
On September 8, 2020, it was announced that Derek Hough, who appeared as a professional partner in 17 of the show's 29 seasons, would return to the show to fill in for Len Goodman, due to Goodman being unable to travel with COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. Goodman still appeared in periodic pre-recorded video segments.
Episodes
Scoring chart The highest score each week is indicated in with a dagger (), while the lowest score each week is indicated in with a double-dagger ().
Color key:
+Dancing with the Stars (season 29) - Weekly scores Couple Week 1 2 1+2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Kaitlyn & Artem 1st 20 23 25 27 24 25+3=28 30+30= 30+30= Nev & Jenna 2nd 20 21 41 24 26 26 27+3= 27+2=29 30+30= 30+30= Nelly & Daniella 3rd 16 18 34 18 24 24 27 21+2= 26+30= 27+30= Justina & Sasha 4th 21 19 24 24 26 27+2=29 24+2=26 28+30=58 30+30= Skai & Alan 5th 36 18 24 27 25+2=27 27+2=29 27+30=57 Johnny & Britt 6th 18 18 36 24 22 27 27+3= 27+30=57 AJ & Cheryl 7th 18 19 37 21 24 24 26 24+3=27 23+2=25 Chrishell & Gleb 8th 13 18 31 22 22 24 2624+2=26 Jeannie & Brandon 9th 18 18 36 22 24 25 25 Monica & Val 10th 19 16 35 21 24 26 Vernon & Peta 11th 17 18 35 22 22 2121 Jesse & Sharna 12th 18 20 38 20 Anne & Keo 13th 18 18 36 15 Carole & Pasha 14th 16 Charles & Emma 15th 12 Notes
Weekly scores Individual judges' scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
Week 1: First Dances For the second time in the show's history, the official partnerships were revealed to the public during the live broadcast.
Couples are listed in the order they performed. CoupleScoresDanceMusic AJ & Cheryl 18 (6, 6, 6) Jive "Blinding Lights" — The Weeknd Chrishell & Gleb 13 (4, 5, 4) Tango "Raise Your Glass" — P!nk Vernon & Peta 17 (5, 6, 6) Foxtrot "All of Me" — John Legend Anne & Keo 18 (6, 6, 6) Cha-cha-cha "Don't Start Now" — Dua Lipa Jeannie & Brandon 18 (6, 6, 6) Salsa "Tell It to My Heart" — Taylor Dayne Jesse & Sharna 18 (6, 6, 6) Quickstep "Part-Time Lover" — Stevie Wonder Skai & Alan 21 (7, 7, 7) Tango "Super Bass" — Nicki Minaj Kaitlyn & Artem 20 (6, 7, 7) Cha-cha-cha "Stupid Love" — Lady Gaga Nev & Jenna 20 (7, 7, 6) Foxtrot "The Way You Look Tonight" — Frank Sinatra Johnny & Britt 18 (6, 6, 6) Cha-cha-cha "Buttons" — The Pussycat Dolls Justina & Sasha 21 (7, 7, 7) Cha-cha-cha "Respect" — Aretha Franklin Charles & Emma 12 (4, 4, 4) Salsa "In da Club" — 50 Cent Monica & Val 19 (6, 7, 6) Foxtrot "My Wish" — Rascal Flatts Nelly & Daniella 16 (5, 5, 6) Salsa "Ride wit Me" — Nelly Carole & Pasha 11 (4, 4, 3) Paso doble "Eye of the Tiger" — Survivor
Week 2: First Elimination The couples performed one unlearned dance, and are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult Nev & Jenna 21 (7, 7, 7) Cha-cha-cha "Dynamite" — BTS Safe Skai & Alan 15 (5, 5, 5) Samba "Miss Independent" — Ne-Yo Safe Johnny & Britt 18 (6, 6, 6) Tango "Poker Face" — Lady Gaga Safe Justina & Sasha 21 (7, 7, 7) Foxtrot "When You Believe" — Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston Safe Monica & Val 16 (5, 6, 5) Jive "Shake It Off" — Taylor Swift Safe AJ & Cheryl 19 (7, 6, 6) Foxtrot "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?" — Dean Martin Safe Anne & Keo 18 (6, 6, 6) Foxtrot "Counting Stars" — OneRepublic Safe Nelly & Daniella 18 (6, 6, 6) Cha-cha-cha "Let's Groove" — Earth, Wind & Fire Safe Chrishell & Gleb 18 (6, 6, 6) Rumba "This Is Me" — Keala Settle Safe Charles & Emma 15 (5, 5, 5) Cha-cha-cha "Never Too Much" — Luther Vandross Eliminated Jesse & Sharna 20 (7, 7, 6) Foxtrot "Dreams" — Fleetwood Mac Safe 18 (6, 6, 6) Cha-cha-cha "Roses" — Saint Jhn Safe Carole & Pasha 16 (6, 5, 5) Viennese waltz "What's New Pussycat?" — Tom Jones Bottom two Vernon & Peta 18 (6, 6, 6) Paso doble "We Found Love" — Rihanna, feat. Calvin Harris Safe Kaitlyn & Artem 22 (7, 8, 7) Foxtrot "I Hope You Dance" — Lee Ann Womack, feat. Sons of the Desert Safe Judges' votes to save Carrie Ann: Carole & Pasha Bruno: Charles & Emma Derek: Carole & Pasha
Week 3: Disney Night The couples performed one unlearned dance to songs from Disney films. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicDisney filmResult Skai & Alan 18 (6, 6, 6) Jive "Almost There" — Anika Noni Rose The Princess and the Frog Safe Monica & Val 21 (7, 7, 7) Viennese waltz "Part of Your World" — Ray Chew The Little Mermaid Safe Justina & Sasha 19 (7, 6, 6) Charleston "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" — Julie Andrews & Dick Van Dyke Mary Poppins Safe AJ & Cheryl 21 (7, 7, 7) Quickstep "Prince Ali" — Robin Williams Aladdin Safe Anne & Keo 15 (5, 5, 5) Quickstep "Zero to Hero" — Ariana Grande Hercules Bottom two 22 (7, 7, 8) Viennese waltz "Married Life" — Michael Giacchino Up Safe Nelly & Daniella 18 (6, 6, 6) Foxtrot "It's All Right" — Jon Batiste Soul Safe Carole & Pasha 12 (5, 4, 3) Samba "Circle of Life" — Carmen Twillie & Lebo M The Lion King Eliminated Kaitlyn & Artem 23 (8, 7, 8) Rumba "How Far I'll Go" — Auliʻi Cravalho Moana Safe Vernon & Peta 22 (8, 7, 7) Quickstep "Be Our Guest" — Jerry Orbach & Angela Lansbury Beauty and the Beast Safe Nev & Jenna 24 (8, 8, 8) Argentine tango "Angelica" — Rodrigo y Gabriela On Stranger Tides Safe Johnny & Britt 24 (8, 8, 8) Rumba "Reflection" — Christina Aguilera Mulan Safe Jesse & Sharna 20 (7, 6, 7) Jive "King of New York" — from Newsies Newsies Safe Chrishell & Gleb 22 (7, 7, 8) Waltz "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" — Jessie Ware Cinderella Safe Judges' votes to save Derek: Anne & Keo Bruno: Anne & Keo Carrie Ann: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Anne & Keo
Week 4: Top 13 The couples performed one unlearned dance. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult Nelly & Daniella 21 (7, 7, 7) Paso doble "All I Do Is Win" — DJ Khaled, feat. T-Pain, Ludacris, Rick Ross & Snoop Dogg Safe Chrishell & Gleb 22 (7, 8, 7) Foxtrot "Adore You" — Harry Styles Safe Monica & Val 24 (8, 8, 8) Samba "Party in the U.S.A." — Miley Cyrus Bottom two Anne & Keo 21 (7, 7, 7) Paso doble "Rise" — Katy Perry Eliminated Nev & Jenna 24 (8, 8, 8) Rumba "Because You Loved Me" — Celine Dion Safe Justina & Sasha 24 (8, 8, 8) Salsa "Que Viva La Vida" — Wisin Safe Kaitlyn & Artem 25 (9, 8, 8) Viennese waltz "Beautiful Crazy" — Luke Combs Safe Johnny & Britt 24 (8, 8, 8) Jive "Crocodile Rock" — Elton John Safe 21 (7, 7, 7) Tango "Seven Nation Army" — The White Stripes Safe Vernon & Peta 22 (8, 7, 7) Rumba "Let's Stay Together" — Al Green Safe Jesse & Sharna 21 (7, 7, 7) Cha-cha-cha "Smooth" — Santana, feat. Rob Thomas Safe Skai & Alan 28 (10, 9, 9) Foxtrot "Ordinary People" — John Legend Safe AJ & Cheryl 24 (8, 8, 8) Cha-cha-cha "Larger Than Life" — Backstreet Boys Safe Judges' votes to save Carrie Ann: Monica & Val Derek: Monica & Val Bruno: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Monica & Val
Week 5: '80s Night The couples performed one unlearned dance to a song released in the 1980s. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult Justina & Sasha 24 (8, 8, 8) Jazz "Maniac" — Michael Sembello Safe Jesse & Sharna 19 (7, 6, 6) Tango "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" — Tears for Fears Eliminated Chrishell & Gleb 19 (6, 6, 7) Cha-cha-cha "You Got It (The Right Stuff)" — New Kids on the Block Safe Jeannie & Brandon 24 (8, 8, 8) Jazz "Like a Virgin" — Madonna Safe Monica & Val 26 (9, 9, 8) Tango "Tainted Love" — Soft Cell Safe AJ & Cheryl 24 (8, 8, 8) Waltz "Open Arms" — Journey Safe Skai & Alan 24 (8, 8, 8) Jazz "The Power of Love" — Huey Lewis and the News Safe Vernon & Peta 21 (7, 7, 7) Tango "Livin' on a Prayer" — Bon Jovi Bottom two Kaitlyn & Artem 27 (9, 9, 9) Tango "I Think We're Alone Now" — Tiffany Safe Nelly & Daniella 24 (8, 8, 8) Samba "Rhythm of the Night" — DeBarge Safe Johnny & Britt 29 (10, 10, 9) Contemporary "Total Eclipse of the Heart" — Bonnie Tyler Safe Nev & Jenna 26 (8, 9, 9) Quickstep "Take On Me" — A-ha Safe Judges' votes to save Bruno: Vernon & Peta Carrie Ann: Vernon & Peta Derek: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Vernon & Peta
Week 6: Top 11 The couples performed one unlearned dance. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
CoupleScoresDanceMusicResult Johnny & Britt 22 (7, 8, 7) Salsa "On the Floor" — Jennifer Lopez, feat. Pitbull Bottom two Nev & Jenna 26 (9, 9, 8) Jazz "Good Vibrations" — Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch Safe Monica & Val 27 (9, 9, 9) Rumba "Have I Told You Lately" — Rod Stewart Safe Skai & Alan 18 (6, 6, 6) Cha-cha-cha "Say So" — Doja Cat, feat. Nicki Minaj Safe Vernon & Peta 21 (7, 7, 7) Cha-cha-cha "Celebration" — Kool & The Gang Eliminated Nelly & Daniella 24 (8, 8, 8) Viennese waltz "Humble and Kind" — Tim McGraw Safe Jeannie & Brandon 25 (8, 8, 9) Rumba "You Gotta Be" — Des'ree Safe AJ & Cheryl 27 (9, 9, 9) Samba "Mi Gente" — J Balvin & Willy William Safe Chrishell & Gleb 24 (8, 8, 8) Contemporary "Stars" — Grace Potter & The Nocturnals Safe Kaitlyn & Artem 27 (9, 9, 9) Samba "Sorry" — Justin Bieber Safe Justina & Sasha 27 (9, 9, 9) Viennese waltz "She's Always a Woman" — Billy Joel Safe Judges' votes to save Derek: Johnny & Britt Carrie Ann: Vernon & Peta Bruno: Johnny & Britt
Week 7: Villains Night