After 29 seasons and 351 contestants, it seems like it would be impossible to find anything new on Dancing With The Stars. Season 30, however, was full of trailblazers. 

The competition began on September 20, 2021. 15 new stars entered the ballroom for the first time. Fans were delighted to see the familiar faces of judges Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba, alongside head judge Len Goodman. 

This season there was a new judge as well: six time “Mirrorball” champ Derek Hough (who still holds the record for most pro wins of all time). The dancers were scored out of 40 points, able to earn up to 10 from each judge. Tyra Banks returned for her second season as host. 

The ballroom was introduced to a wide variety of celebrities, ranging from pro wrestlers to country singers. All 15 contestants competed on night one, and proved that this wasn’t a season to miss. Audiences were treated to amazing dances and some of the best theme nights yet, such as Grease and Britney Spears Night!

The first four rounds of competition were tough, sending home (in order) actor Martin Kove, TV star Christine Chiu, actor Brian Austin Green, and The Bachelor star Matt James. The next three rounds weren’t any easier, removing Spice Girl Melanie C., Real Housewives star Kenya Moore, and pro wrestler The Miz from the competition. 

But it was the week eight eliminations that shocked viewers the most, and signaled that the competition was winding up. Both influencer Olivia Jade and country singer Jimmie Allen went home. Week nine, the semifinals, saw fan favorites actress Melora Hardin and gymnast Suni Lee eliminated. 

The finals were a showdown for the ages. Four couples were left, and each performed two dances. The first a fusion of two styles, the latter a freestyle of the contestant’s choice. Dancing With The Stars freestyles are famed as the best dances of every season, and the couples did not disappoint. 

Talk show host Amanda Kloots dazzled with her star – themed freestyle and Viennese Waltz/ Paso Doble fusion, taking home 4th place. Fitness guru Cody Rigsby let loose with his colorful freestyle, and wowed with his Paso Doble/ Cha – Cha – Cha fusion, taking home third place. Popstar Jojo Siwa excited the audience with her self – love inspired freestyle and powerful Tango/ Cha – Cha – Cha fusion, earning perfect 40’s for both and 2nd place. 

However, it was NBA star Iman Shumpert who brought home the Mirrorball. The audience was in awe of his natural rhythm during his Cha – Cha – Cha/ Foxtrot fusion, and Chicago style hip – hop freestyle, also earning two perfect scores. 

It’s impossible to talk about season 30 without mentioning the amount of history that was made. One of the most noticeable moments was the presence of the first ever same – sex partnership: Jojo Siwa and her partner Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy. 

The two were role models for all ages, and promoted a message of self love and acceptance. As the first same sex pairing, they were also the first to do everything else, such as make it to the finals. 

Third place winner Cody Rigsby and his partner Cheryl Burke garnered monstrous amounts of respect from the judges and audience alike. Both tested positive for COVID within the 2nd and 3rd weeks of competition. They were first judged on rehearsal footage, and then performed via Zoom after learning the routine at home. Viewers were ecstatic when both made a healthy return to the ballroom. 

Rigsby also made history, being the first contestant to ever use voguing or whacking in a dance. Winner Iman Shumpert was the first NBA player to ever make it to the finals, and to win. 

As an avid Dancing With The Stars fan, I was extremely excited to see Iman win. He truly is the embodiment of what the show is, taking someone with no dancing experience and turning them into an accomplished dancer. And as a fellow dancer, I particularly enjoyed his Chicago-style freestyle. What sets Iman apart is his ability to make every move his own. There is no doubt he has his own groove, and he was not shy about performing.  

I also cannot compliment his pro partner, Daniella Karagach, enough! The two have almost a foot difference in their height. When it comes to ballroom dancing, that is not easy to work with. But they found a way that works for them. They were able to keep frame, and look good doing it! 

I have a tremendous amount of respect for her choreography. Daniella is extremely versatile, for example she had no trouble blending the Foxtrot and the Cha – Cha. Not to mention the pair’s signature move: lifts! Every week I was amazed by the different lifts they were able to come up with. From Iman holding Daniella over his head with one hand, or her standing on his shoulders only to jump off, I can’t imagine how intricate they must have been to perform. 

Season 30 was many things, but most of all, it was a stunning return to the ballroom for the cast and audience. Although it was the second season back since COVID hit, it was the first with a live audience. The loud cheers and yells could be heard during each dance.

Each couple gave it their all, and left everything on the dance floor. Costumes and music were spot on, per usual. Next season’s contestants will have their work cut out for them.