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Add another page to theDWTShistory books!
The 2016 NBA champion,Iman Shumpert, recently earned another champion title when he emerged victorious winning season 30 ofDancing with the Stars. The contestant who traded in his basketball for the Mirrorballmade history– marking another monumental moment for the show.
(ABC/Eric McCandless)
Throughout the 16 yearsDancing with the Starshas been on the air, the show has paired a diverse array of celebrities with dance professionals since its ABC debut on June 1, 2005. Over 30 entertaining seasons filled with stars, scores, and an abundance of tangos – the dance competition series has seen many of “firsts” as well.
Prior to Shumpert’s iconic feat, Siwa made history (and headlines) earlier in the season marking thefirst contestant to be paired with a partner of the same sex. The news was announced a few months after the Nickelodeon star publiclycame out as LGBTQin January on social media.
(ABC/Christopher Willard)
“I think it breaks a wall that’s never been broken down before,” Siwa said during the Television Critics Association summer press tour. “I think it’s really special that, not only now do I get to share with the world that you’re going to love who you want to love, but also you can dance with who you want to dance with.”
Shumpert and Siwa are just two contestants who serve as inspirations on the show, but there’s a long list of history-making stars who have gone down in the books before them. Keep scrolling for all the ground-breaking “firsts” achieved onDancing with the Starsover the years.
Kelly Monaco: First Ever Winner ofDWTS
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It only makes sense that we kick-off the “firsts” list with thefirst-ever contestant to winthe dance competition. The formerPlayboyPlaymate of the Month andGeneral Hospitalstar and her partner, Alec Mazo, took home the prized Mirrorball Trophy during the first season of the show in 2005.
Monaco, 29 years old at the time, announced in the winners circle, “All my life I’ve been the underdog. I know it’s such a sap story, but I have.”
Emmitt Smith: First Football Player to WinDWTS
Adam Larkey/ABC/AP
The retired professional football legend, who primarily played for the Dallas Cowboys, snagged the the win alongside his partner Cheryl Burke during season 3 of the show in 2006. The athlete became the first of many football players to secure the Mirrorball Trophy.
“I am so proud of this trophy and I am proud to share it with Cheryl,“Smith told PEOPLEwhile gold-colored confetti fell from above. “We worked our tails off.”
Amy Purdy: First Double Amputee Contestant onDWTS
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The three-time Paralympic medalist inspired many when she competed on season 18 of the show, making her the first double-leg amputee onDWTS(and theonly double-leg amputee competing in snowboarding at the world-class level).
“Once I lost my legs and I lost my ankle movement, I had to figure out different ways to [snowboard]. I found that it’s more about using the rest of my body. And with dancing it’s kind of similar,” she told PEOPLE after her DWTS debut. “We’re figuring out what can we do to accomplish that same movement. It’s just being creative with the situation.”
Apollo Anton Ohno: First Olympian to WinDWTS
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The eight-time Winter Olympic medalist (two-time medalist at the time) was thefirst Olympian to win the dance competitionduring season 4 in 2007. The speed skater was partnered with Julianne Hough and was celebrating his 25th birthday the night of victory!
“I feel amazing,” the speed skater said after learning he’d won the competition, beating out singer Joey Fatone and boxer Laila Ali. “From day one, I feel like everyone here has been champions.”
Amber Riley: First Black Woman to WinDWTS
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The formerGleestar beat out Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff and Jack Osbourne and Cheryl Burke to make history: Riley became thefirst Black woman to winDWTSin 2013. The iconic victory was achieved during the show’s 17th season, and marked partner Derek Hough’s fifth MirrorBall.
“I did this competition because, I didn’t know if I [could] do it and anything that scares me I wanna do, so I [want to] let women of all sizes out there know you can do whatever you put your mind to,“Riley said after her win. “It doesn’t matter what size you are, what color you are, you can do whatever, whatever, whatever, whatever you put your mind to!”
Nyle DiMarco: First Deaf Contestant to WinDWTS
DiMarco went fromAmerica’s Next Top Modelwinner toDWTSwinner during season 22 alongside partner Peta Murgatroyd. He becamethe first deaf contestant to win the competition, whose goal was to inspire others since the beginning. “Our dance is for millions of deaf people,” he said during rehearsals. “This dance has to make them proud.”
Although he was the first deaf contestant to take home the trophy, he was the second deaf contestant to compete on the show, following Marlee Matlin in season 6. Matlin showed support for DiMarco’s win and tweeted, “Wow @DancingABC!!” Matlin tweeted, with a heart emoji. “The moment when @NyleDiMarco won. He proves Deaf people can do ANYTHING, include DANCE! Nyle!”
Adam Rippon: First Openly Gay Contestant to WinDWTS
Craig Sjodin/ABC
The Olympic figure skater made history as the first openly gay Olympian to represent the United States, and continued to make history when he became thefirst openly gayDWTSwinnerin the show’s 26 seasons.Rippon was partners with Jenna Johnsonfor his 2018 win during theDancing with the Stars: Athletesseason.
“The Mirrorball has now taken on a new meaning, someone like me is accepted and I feel loved,” the Rippon said during the finale.
Danelle Umstead: First Blind Contestant onDWTS
Eric McCandless/ABC
A long-time fan of the show,the American alpine skier and Paralympian fulfilled herDWTSdream, and made history, when she competed during season 27 with partner Artem Chigvintsev. Umstead, who has no central or peripheral vision, was also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis eight years before her dancing debut – and hadalways hoped to be the show’s first-ever blind contestant.
J.R. Martinez: First U.S. Army Soldier to WinDWTS
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The Iraq war veteran and actor took home the Mirrorball Trophy on season 13 ofDancing with the Starsin 2011. Martinez (who was partnered with pro Karina Smirnoff) made history as the first U.S. army soldier to not only compete on the show, but win.
After claiming victory overRob KardashianandCheryl Burke, he said, “First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who voted for us for 10 weeks… Thank you, America, for believing in us.” He told PEOPLE, “I want to sleep with this thing… I want to kiss it. I want to polish it. I want to do everything.”
Chaz Bono: First Transgender Contestant to Compete onDWTS
Son of entertainers Sonny Bono and Cher, Chaz made history as the first transgender DWTS contestant during season 13 in 2011. Partnered with professional ballroom dancer Lacey Schwimmer, Bono’s goal was to inspire others in the LGBTQ community.
“Doing this show is an opportunity for me to reach a larger more mainstream audience with just a simple message of being transgender is okay and not something to be scared of,” Bono tells PEOPLE.
Allison Holker: First Competitor to Compete Pregnant onDWTS
Although not a celebrity contestant, the dancing professional made history when she became the first person to compete on the showwhile pregnantduring season 25. Before taking the stage alongside partner Andy Grammer, she and her husband announced the exciting news – and her decision to keep competing.
“I’ve had a child before and I worked all the way through eight months. I was traveling on tour, so I think I can definitely handle it,“she tells PEOPLE of continuing to dance. “This is what I do and what I know. If you were athletic before you were pregnant, you should stay athletic. I’m not scared of the challenge and I think it’s a beautiful thing to experience.”
source: people.com
