The eighth season of Dancing with the Stars premiered on Top Channel on 7 October 2022, almost four years since it last aired on Vizion Plus. The host of this season was Bora Zemani, with Eno Popi joining as co-host.
In the judging panel were Armand Peza, Dalina Buzi, Kledi Kadiu and Valbona Selimllari.
The series was won by Sara Hoxha and her professional partner Luixhino Hala. The runners-up were Megi Pojani and Jurgen Bala.
Host and judges On 2 August 2022, a promo was published on social networks, thus showing that the eighth season of Dancing with the stars will start very soon and also after many hints it has been confirmed that the presenter of this season will be Bora Zemani, who also appears in the promo. On 30 September 2022, Eno Popi announced on the television show Wake Up, that he would be joining the show alongside Zemani as co-host.
On 2 September 2022, it was announced that the Italian dancer and actor Kledi Kadiu, will be the first judge. On 28 September 2022, Dalina Buzi announced on the television show Goca dhe Gra on Top Channel that she will be the second judge of the show. On 1 October 2022, Top Channel announced that Valbona Selimllari and Armand Peza were the third and fourth judges.
Couples On 2 September 2022, the production of Dancing with the stars announced on their Instagram-account that the first celebrity participant will be Alban Nimani. Celebrity contestants continued to be revealed until 22 September 2022, when the full line-up was announced.
Celebrity Notability Professional partner Status Ilir Dushkaj Cocktail master Frenki ZiajEliminated 1ston 14 October 2022 Alban Nimani Singer Odeta DishnicaEliminated 2ndon 21 October 2022 Irini Qirjako Singer Eltion MerjaEliminated 3rdon 28 October 2022 Elona Duro Journalist & radio presenter Anxhelo MucollariEliminated 4thon 4 November 2022 Gent Hazizi Actor Emanuela OmeriEliminated 5thon 11 November 2022 Debora Keci Swimmer Niko SpiroEliminated 6thon 18 November 2022 Arbër Çepani Big Brother season 1 winner Erisa GovaciEliminated 7thon 2 December 2022 Julia Gramo Singer Silvester ShutaEliminated 8thon 16 December 2022 Salsano Rrapi Actor & Portokalli presenter Lori BalaEliminated 9thon 23 December 2022 Isli Islami Journalist & television presenter Ledia SulajEliminated 10thon 23 December 2022 Ardit Cuni Singer, dancer, actor & director Jora Hodo4th placeon 1 January 2023 Elhaida Dani Singer, songwriter & actress Ledian Agallijaj3rd placeon 1 January 2023 Megi Pojani Social media personality Jurgen BalaRunners-upon 1 January 2023 Sara Hoxha Social media personality Luixhino HalaWinnerson 1 January 2023
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 8) - Weekly scores Couple Week 1 2 1+2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Sara & Luixhino 1st 22 24 46 28 32 30 48 34 36+38=74 34+34=68 40+38+40= Megi & Jurgen2nd 21 25 46 27 26 33+33= 36 39 40 37+36=73 36+33=69 39+35+39= Elhaida & Ledian3rd 27 28 34 32 26+40= 40+40= 40+38+40= Ardit & Jora 4th 21 49 34 31 41 40+38=78 38+40=78 40+37+39=116 Isli & Ledia 5th 21 53 27 31 33+31=64 34 37 49 30 40+40= 32+34= Salsano & Lori 6th 19 27 46 36 33+30=63 33 30 30 41 40+34=74 36+30= Julia & Silvester 7th 20 26 46 27 27 32 30 39 37+31=68 Arbër & Erisa 8th 24 24 48 27 29 35 31 Debora & Niko 9th 26 22 48 27 22 33+30=63 33 Gent & Emanuela 10th 19 16 35 24 20 27 Elona & Anxhelo 11th 18 19 37 25 23 33+23= Irini & Eltion 12th 23 20 43 18 Alban & Odeta 13th 17 16 33 Ilir & Frenki 14th
Average chart This table only counts for dances scored on a traditional 40-points scale. Scores from guest judges are not included. Couple Rank byaverage Totalpoints Number ofdances Totalaverage Ardit & Jora 1 602 17 35.4 Elhaida & Ledian 2 600 35.3 Sara & Luixhino 3 559 32.9 Isli & Ledia 4 490 15 32.7 Megi & Jurgen 5 581 18 32.3 Salsano & Lori 6 482 15 32.1 Julia & Silvester 7 352 12 29.3 Arbër & Erisa 8 254 9 28.2 Debora & Niko 9 219 8 27.4 Gent & Emanuela 10 143 6 23.8 Elona & Anxhelo 11 141 23.5 Irini & Eltion 12 79 4 19.8 Ilir & Frenki 13 31 2 15.5 Alban & Odeta 14 42 3 14.0 Highest and lowest scoring performances of the series The best and worst performances in each dance according to the judges' 40-point scale are as follows. Scores from guest judges are not included. Dance Celebrity Highest score Celebrity Lowest score Argentine tango Megi Pojani 39 Ardit Cuni 38 Bachata Elhaida DaniIsli Islami 32 21 Cha-Cha-Cha Ardit CuniSara Hoxha 40 Sara Hoxha 22 Charleston Isli Islami 34 Ilir Dushkaj 15 Contemporary Ardit CuniIsli Islami 40 Alban Nimani 16 Foxtrot Ardit Cuni 38 17 Freestyle Isli Islami 40 Elhaida Dani 26 Jive Elhaida Dani Debora Keci Latin Alban Nimani 9 Paso Doble Ardit Cuni 40 Gent Hazizi 20 Quickstep Isli Islami 37 Julia Gramo Rock and Roll Julia Gramo 27 Ilir DushkajGent Hazizi 16 Rumba Elhaida Dani 40 Julia Gramo 26 Salsa Irini Qirjako 18 Samba Elona Duro 19 Showdance Elhaida DaniSara Hoxha Ardit CuniMegi Pojani 39 Swing Salsano Rrapi 33 Elona Duro 18 Tango Ardit Cuni 38 Irini Qirjako Viennese Waltz Megi Pojani 26 Debora Keci 22 Waltz Elhaida DaniSalsano Rrapi 40 Irini Qirjako 20
Couples' highest and lowest scoring dances Scores are based upon a potential 40-point maximum. Scores from guest judges are not included. Couples Highest scoring dance Lowest scoring dance Sara & Luixhino Cha-Cha-ChaDance-off (40) Cha-Cha-Cha (22) Megi & Jurgen Argentine tangoSambaDance-off (39) Samba (21) Elhaida & Ledian SambaJiveSalsaWaltzRumbaDance-off (40) Freestyle (26) Ardit & Jora ContemporaryCha-Cha-ChaPaso Doble (40) Bachata (21) Isli & Ledia FreestyleContemporary (40) Waltz (21) Salsano & Lori Waltz (40) Salsa (19) Julia & Silvester Foxtrot (37) Quickstep (20) Arbër & Erisa Paso Doble (35) TangoQuickstep (24) Debora & Niko Foxtrot (33) SalsaViennese Waltz (22) Gent & Emanuela Waltz (27) Rock and Roll (16) Elona & Anxhelo Foxtrot (25) Slow Swing (18) Irini & Eltion Bachata (23) SalsaTango (18) Alban & Odeta Foxtrot (17) Latin (9) Ilir & Frenki Rock and Roll (16) Charleston (15)
Weekly scores and songs Unless indicated otherwise, individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Dalina Buzi, Armand Peza, Kledi Kadiu, Valbona Selimllari.
Week 1: First Dances There was no elimination this week; all scores carried over to the following week. Couples are listed in the order they performed. Couple Score Dance Music Arbër & Erisa 24 (6, 5, 6, 7) Tango "Illusion of Us (Feel Project Remix)"—Dan Aslow & Lou Starry Elona & Anxhelo 18 (5, 4, 4, 5) Swing "Cake by the Ocean"—DNCE Sara & Luixhino 22 (6, 6, 5, 5) Cha-Cha-Cha "Let's Get Loud"—Jennifer Lopez Gent & Emanuela 19 (4, 5, 5, 5) Charleston "La terza guerra mondiale"—Adriano Celentano Isli & Ledia 21 (5, 6, 5, 5) Waltz "Nothing Else Matters"—Metallica Debora & Niko 26 (6, 7, 6, 7) Jive "Candyman"—Christina Aguilera Irini & Eltion 23 (7, 5, 6, 5) Bachata "Girls Like You"—Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B Julia & Silvester 20 (5, 5, 5, 5) Quickstep "Walking on Sunshine"—Katrina and the Waves Elhaida & Ledian 27 (6, 7, 7, 7) Rumba "Could I Have This Kiss Forever"—Whitney Houston & Enrique Iglesias Ilir & Frenki 16 (4, 4, 4, 4) Rock and Roll "Jesus He Knows Me"—Genesis Ardit & Jora 28 (6, 7, 7, 8) Paso Doble "You Take My Hand"—Tinlicker ft. Jamie Irrepressible Alban & Odeta 17 (5, 4, 4, 4) Foxtrot "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"—Frankie Valli Salsano & Lori 19 (4, 5, 5, 5) Salsa "Trendafil"—Dhurata Dora ft. Flori Mumajesi Megi & Jurgen 21 (5, 5, 5, 6) Samba "Hips Don't Lie"—Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean
Week 2: First Elimination Couples are listed in the order they performed. Couple Score Dance Music Result Salsano & Lori 27 (7, 7, 6, 7) Jive "Faith"—Stevie Wonder ft. Ariana Grande Safe Debora & Niko 22 (5, 5, 6, 6) Salsa "Vivir Mi Vida"—Marc Anthony Safe Ardit & Jora 21 (5, 5, 5, 6) Bachata "How Deep Is Your Love"—Calvin Harris & Disciples Safe Gent & Emanuela 16 (3, 4, 4, 5) Rock and Roll "Sajzeza"—Elita 5 & Adelina Ismaili Bottom two Ilir & Frenki 15 (3, 5, 3, 4) Charleston "Engjell Apo Djall"—Pirro Cako Eliminated Elhaida & Ledian 32 (8, 8, 8, 8) Paso Doble "Viva la Vida"—Coldplay Safe Alban & Odeta 16 (4, 4, 3, 5) Contemporary "In Your Room"—Depeche Mode Safe Arbër & Erisa 24 (5, 6, 6, 7) Quickstep "Hit Me Up"—Gia Farrell Safe Irini & Eltion 20 (5, 4, 5, 6) Waltz "Une dhe ti"—Alban Skënderaj Safe Isli & Ledia 32 (8, 8, 8, 8) Cha-Cha-Cha "Blurred Lines"—Robin Thicke ft. T.I. & Pharrell Williams Safe Megi & Jurgen 25 (7, 6, 6, 6) Tango "La Fama"—Rosalía ft. The Weeknd Safe Julia & Silvester 26 (6, 7, 6, 7) Rumba "Let You Love Me"—Rita Ora Safe Sara & Luixhino 24 (5, 6, 5, 8) Foxtrot "I'm Not the Only One"—Sam Smith Safe Elona & Anxhelo 19 (4, 5, 4, 6) Samba "Şımarık"—Tarkan Safe
Week 3: Top Fest Night Musical guest: Besa Kokëdhima—"Engjejt Vrasin Njelloj"/"Unik"/"Fishekzjarre"
Couples are listed in the order they performed. Couple Score Dance Music Result Isli & Ledia 27 (6, 7, 6, 8) Rumba "Si Trëndafil"—Poni Safe Julia & Silvester 27 (7, 7, 6, 7) Jive "Edhe Nje Here"—Xhensila Myrtezaj Safe Megi & Jurgen 27 (7, 7, 6, 7) Salsa "Vetem ti je"—Noizy ft. Elgit Doda Safe Sara & Luixhino 28 (7, 7, 6, 8) Tango "Shko"—Ledri Vula & Ermal Fejzullahu & Lumi B Safe Irini & Eltion 18 (5, 4, 4, 5) Salsa "Lady lady"—Stine & Abi Bottom two Elona & Anxhelo 25 (5, 7, 6, 7) Foxtrot "Per nje dashuri"—Ermal Fejzullahu Safe Debora & Niko 27 (6, 7, 6, 8) Tango "Falma"—Blero ft. Shpat Kasapi Safe Alban & Odeta 9 (2, 2, 2, 3) Latin "Mendoja c'do gje merr fund pa ty"—Asgje sikur dielli Eliminated Elhaida & Ledian 32 (8, 8, 8, 8) Contemporary "S'je më"—Elhaida Dani Safe Salsano & Lori 32 (8, 8, 8, 8) Waltz "Vetëm ty"—Alban Skënderaj Safe Gent & Emanuela 24 (6, 6, 6, 6) Bachata "Lamtumire"—Stresi & Xheraldina Berisha Safe Arbër & Erisa 32 (8, 9, 7, 8) Samba "Ngadale"—Anjeza Branka & Niku Safe Ardit & Jora 32 (9, 7, 8, 8) Quickstep "Pasion"—Dr. Flori & Fatima Safe
Week 4: Halloween Night Couples are listed in the order they performed. Couple Score Dance Music Result Debora & Niko 22 (6, 5, 5, 6) Viennese Waltz "I Put a Spell on You"—Annie Lennox Safe Irini & Eltion 18 (4, 5, 4, 5) Tango "Disturbia"—Rihanna Eliminated Sara & Luixhino 32 (8, 9, 7, 8) Contemporary "Every Breath You Take"—The Police Safe Ardit & Jora 37 (9, 10, 9, 9) Contemporary "I Got 5 on It (Tethered Mix)"—Luniz feat. Michael Marshall from Us Safe Elona & Anxhelo 23 (6, 6, 5, 6) Charleston "Crazy in Love"—Emeli Sandé Safe Elhaida & Ledian 28 (7, 7, 7, 7) Tango "Swan Lake Remix"—District 78 Safe Isli & Ledia 31 (8, 9, 6, 8) Paso Doble "Animals"—Martin Garrix Safe Arbër & Erisa 27 (6, 7, 7, 7) Waltz "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)"—Meat Loaf feat. Lorraine Crosby Safe Gent & Emanuela 20 (5, 5, 5, 5) Paso Doble "Roundtable Rival"—Lindsey Stirling Bottom two Megi & Jurgen 26 (7, 7, 5, 7) Viennese Waltz "Secret"—The Pierces Safe Julia & Silvester 27 (7, 7, 6, 7) Waltz "You Don't Own Me"—Grace feat. G-Eazy Safe Salsano & Lori 36 (9, 9, 9, 9) Contemporary "Toxic"—2WEI Safe Judges' votes to save Dalina: Gent & Emanuela Armand: Gent & Emanuela Kledi: Did not vote Valbona: Gent & Emanuela
Week 5: Latin Night This week, the show was in two parts. In the first part the couples danced in teams, and the winner team had immunity for the second part and the loser team had to dance again in one unlearned dance in the second part. Couples are listed in the order they performed.