Dancing with the Stars 19 Cast Overview
The nineteenth season of Dancing with the Stars premiered on September 15, 2014, on ABC, featuring a lineup of 13 celebrities paired with professional dancers. The season introduced a new scoring system that combined judges' scores with viewer votes, and the cast included athletes, actors, and musicians. Alfonso Ribeiro, known for his role as Carlton Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, won the competition alongside professional partner Witney Carson. The runner-up was actress and activist Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late conservationist Steve Irwin, who was paired with Derek Hough. The season also featured former NFL player Antonio Brown, singer Paula DeAnda, and reality television star Jodie Sweetin, among others. The competition ran for 10 weeks, culminating in a live finale at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. For more details on the season structure and scoring, see the official ABC page for Dancing with the Stars at https://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars.
The professional dancers for season 19 included Witney Carson, Derek Hough, Lindsay Arnold, Henry Byalikov, Sasha Farber, Gleb Savchenko, and Emma Slater. Several pros returned from previous seasons, bringing experience in Latin and ballroom styles. Witney Carson, who later became a main judge on the show, was the youngest professional dancer in the cast at age 20. Derek Hough, who has won the Mirrorball Trophy multiple times, was paired with Bindi Irwin for the season. The professionals were responsible for choreographing routines that blended cha-cha, foxtrot, jive, quickstep, samba, tango, Viennese waltz, and contemporary styles. Each week, couples performed one or two routines, with scores based on technique, timing, and presentation. Additional information on the professional dancers' careers and achievements can be found on their official profiles at https://www.dancingwiththestars.com.
Cast Members and Their Partners
Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson dominated the season, earning the highest scores consistently and winning the Mirrorball Trophy on November 25, 2014. Ribeiro, an actor and television host, had prior dance experience from his role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which helped him execute complex routines. Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough finished as runners-up, with Irwin bringing a unique energy from her wildlife conservation background. Other notable couples included Jodie Sweetin and Sasha Farber, who made it to the finals, and Antonio Brown and Lindsay Arnold, who were eliminated earlier in the competition. Paula DeAnda and Henry Byalikov, reality star Cody Nickson and Jessica Richens, and actress Danielle Fishel and Louis Van Amstel also competed. The diversity of the cast reflected the show's appeal across demographics, from sports figures to entertainment personalities.
Each celebrity brought a distinct backstory and motivation for competing. Alfonso Ribeiro cited a lifelong passion for dance and a desire to honor his father, who was a dancer. Bindi Irwin aimed to continue her father's legacy while challenging herself physically. Antonio Brown, then an NFL wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, sought to improve his agility and coordination. Jodie Sweetin, known for her role on Full House, wanted to overcome personal struggles through the discipline of dance. Paula DeAnda, a singer, used the platform to promote her music while showcasing her Latin dance skills. The cast also included reality television personalities and former athletes, making the season one of the most varied in the show's history. More details on the cast members' backgrounds and post-show careers are available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars_(American_TV_series)_season_19.
Scores, Eliminations, and Results
The scoring