Dancing with the Stars (American TV series) season 21
Season of television series
Dancing with the Stars Hosted by Judges Celebrity winner Bindi Irwin Professional winner Derek Hough
No. of episodes14 Original network ABC Original release September 14 (2015-09-14 ) – November 24, 2015 (2015-11-24 )
Season twenty-one of the American television competition series Dancing with the Stars premiered on September 14, 2015.
On November 24, conservationist Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough were crowned the champions, while Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess finished in second place, and soldier (and hero of the 2015 Thalys train attack ) Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold finished in third.
Cast
Couples
This season featured thirteen celebrity contestants. On August 19, 2015, nine professional dancers were revealed during Good Morning America . Returning pros included Karina Smirnoff , Anna Trebunskaya , and Louis van Amstel . Additionally, Lindsay Arnold also returned after spending four seasons as part of the troupe. While Peta Murgatroyd was originally announced as a professional, she was sidelined for the season by an ankle injury; Allison Holker replaced her spot in the cast.[ 1] Bindi Irwin was the first celebrity revealed on August 24 on Good Morning America ; other celebrities were revealed at different dates through different media.[ 2] The full cast of celebrities and professional dancers was revealed on September 2, 2015. [ 3]
Celebrity
Notability
Professional partner
Status
Ref.
Chaka Khan
Funk & R&B singer
Keo Motsepe
Eliminated 1ston September 21, 2015
[ 4]
Victor Espinoza
Jockey
Karina Smirnoff
Eliminated 2ndon September 22, 2015
[ 5]
Kim Zolciak-Biermann
Reality television personality
Tony Dovolani
Withdrewon September 28, 2015
[ 6]
Gary Busey
Film actor
Anna Trebunskaya
Eliminated 3rdon October 5, 2015
[ 7]
Paula Deen
Celebrity chef & businesswoman
Louis van Amstel Mark Ballas (Week 5)
Eliminated 4thon October 19, 2015
[ 8]
Hayes Grier
Vine & social media personality
Emma Slater Allison Holker (Week 5)
Eliminated 5thon October 26, 2015
[ 9]
Andy Grammer
Singer-songwriter
Allison Holker Sharna Burgess (Week 5)
Eliminated 6thon November 2, 2015
[ 10]
Alexa PenaVega
Film & television actress
Mark Ballas Derek Hough (Week 5)
Eliminated 7thon November 9, 2015
[ 11]
Tamar Braxton
R&B singer & reality television personality
Valentin Chmerkovskiy Louis van Amstel (Week 5)
Withdrewon November 11, 2015
[ 12]
Carlos PenaVega
Big Time Rush singer & actor
Witney Carson Lindsay Arnold (Week 5)
Eliminated 8thon November 23, 2015
[ 13]
Alek Skarlatos
Legion of Honor recipient & soldier
Lindsay Arnold Emma Slater (Week 5)
Third placeon November 24, 2015
[ 14]
Nick Carter
Backstreet Boys singer
Sharna Burgess Witney Carson (Week 5)
Runners-upon November 24, 2015
Bindi Irwin
Wildlife conservationist & actress
Derek Hough Valentin Chmerkovskiy (Week 5)
Winners on November 24, 2015
Hosts and judges
Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews returned as hosts,[ 15] while judges Carrie Ann Inaba , Julianne Hough , and Bruno Tonioli all returned this season.[ 16] After twenty seasons, Len Goodman did not return this season as a judge;[ 17] in a video message during the finale, Goodman announced that he would return for season 22 . Season 19 champion Alfonso Ribeiro filled in for Tom Bergeron on October 5, 2015, while Bergeron attended to his ailing father.[ 18] Leah Remini also filled in as co-host on October 19 and October 26 while Erin Andrews covered the 2015 World Series .[ 19] [ 20] There were three guest judges during the course of the season. Season 19 champion Alfonso Ribeiro was a guest judge for week 3.[ 21] Former pro dancer and season 18 champion Maksim Chmerkovskiy joined the judging panel for week 5.[ 22] The following week, Olivia Newton-John appeared as a guest judge as well.[ 23]
Dance troupe
The dance troupe consisted of returning members Jenna Johnson , Brittany Cherry, Sasha Farber , and Alan Bersten , and new troupe member Hayley Erbert .
Scoring chart
The highest score each week is indicated in bold green with a dagger (†), while the lowest score each week is indicated in italicized red with a double-dagger (‡).
Color key:
Winners
Runners-up
Third place
Withdrew from competition
Eliminated
Dancing with the Stars (season 21) - Weekly scores
Couple
Pl.
Week
1
2
3 [ a]
4
5 [ a]
6 [ a]
5+6
7
8
9
10
11
Night 1
Night 2
Night 1
Night 2
Bindi & Derek
1st
24 †
25 †
23
32
28 †
37
40 †
77 †
30+28=58 †
28
30+30=60 †
27+3+30=60 †
30+30=60 †
+30=90 †[ b]
Nick & Sharna
2nd
24 †
21
24
36 †
27
35
39
74
24+30=54
30+3=33 †
28+27=55
24+30=54 ‡
30+30=60 †
+30=90 †[ c]
Alek & Lindsay
3rd
22
23
22
33
24
29
30
59
25+28=53 ‡
25
24+24=48 ‡
30+27=57
27+30=57 ‡
+27=84 ‡[ d]
Carlos & Witney
4th
23
24
21
31
25
39
38
77 †
28+28=56
27+2=29
27+24=51
28+3+29=60 †
30+30=60 †[ e]
Tamar & Val
5th
23
24
25 †
33
27
29
40 †
69
24+30=54
28
22+27=49
[ f]
Alexa & Mark
6th
22
24
22
36 †
21
40 †
30
70
27+28=55
25+2=27
30+30=60 †[ e]
Andy & Allison
7th
21
21
23
29
23
36
40 †
76
26+30=56
22+2=24 ‡[ e]
Hayes & Emma
8th
21
22
23
30
27
30
32
62
26+30=56[ e]
Paula & Louis
9th
15
19
18
20 ‡
18
26 ‡
24 ‡
50 ‡[ e]
Gary & Anna
10th
15
18
15 ‡
25
16 ‡[ e]
Kim & Tony
11th
12 ‡
19
18
[ f]
Victor & Karina
12th
15
17
20[ e]
Chaka & Keo
13th
13
15 ‡[ e]
Notes
^ a b c The couples were scored on a 40-point scale due to the presence of a guest judge.
^ This couple finished in first place.
^ This couple finished in second place.
^ This couple finished in third place.
^ a b c d e f g h This couple was eliminated.
^ a b This couple withdrew from the competition.
Weekly scores
Individual judges' scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba , Julianne Hough , Bruno Tonioli .
Week 1: Premiere Night
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Couple
Scores[ 24]
Dance
Music[ 25]
Victor & Karina
15 (5, 5, 5)
Salsa
"G.D.F.R. " — Flo Rida , feat. Sage the Gemini & Lookas
Tamar & Val
23 (8, 7, 8)
Quickstep
"Do Your Thing " — Basement Jaxx
Chaka & Keo
13 (5, 4, 4)
Cha-cha-cha
"I Feel for You " — Chaka Khan
Hayes & Emma
21 (7, 7, 7)
Cha-cha-cha
"Cheerleader " — OMI
Andy & Allison
21 (7, 7, 7)
Foxtrot
"Marvin Gaye " — Charlie Puth , feat. Meghan Trainor
Paula & Louis
15 (5, 5, 5)
Quickstep
"Hey, Good Lookin' " — Carol Welsman
Carlos & Witney
23 (8, 8, 7)
Jive
"I Got You (I Feel Good) " — James Brown
Alexa & Mark
22 (7, 7, 8)
Jive
"Whistle (While You Work It) " — Katy Tiz
Kim & Tony
12 (4, 4, 4)
Salsa
"Hey Mama " — David Guetta , feat. Nicki Minaj , Bebe Rexha & Afrojack
Bindi & Derek
24 (8, 8, 8)
Jive
"Crocodile Rock " — Elton John
Gary & Anna
15 (5, 5, 5)
Cha-cha-cha
"Dancing in the Street " — David Bowie & Mick Jagger
Alek & Lindsay
22 (8, 7, 7)
Foxtrot
"Ten Feet Tall " — Afrojack , feat. Wrabel
Nick & Sharna
24 (8, 8, 8)
Cha-cha-cha
"I Don't Like It, I Love It " — Flo Rida , feat. Robin Thicke & Verdine White
Week 2: Hometown Glory Week
The couples had to prepare two new dances to be performed on two consecutive nights. On Monday, the couples performed routines that celebrated the hometowns of the celebrities, with one couple being eliminated at the end of the show. On Tuesday, the remaining couples performed routines that celebrated the hometowns of the pro partners, with another couple being eliminated. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Night 1
Couple
Scores[ 4]
Dance
Music
Result
Nick & Sharna
21 (7, 7, 7)
Jive
"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy " — The Andrews Sisters
Safe
Paula & Louis
19 (7, 6, 6)
Rumba
"Midnight Train to Georgia " — Gladys Knight & the Pips
Safe
Hayes & Emma
22 (8, 7, 7)
Foxtrot
"This Is How We Roll " — Florida Georgia Line , feat. Luke Bryan
Safe
Chaka & Keo
15 (5, 5, 5)
Foxtrot
"Chicago (That Toddlin' Town) " — Frank Sinatra
Eliminated
Andy & Allison
21 (7, 7, 7)
Jive
"Only the Good Die Young " — Billy Joel
Safe
Kim & Tony
19 (7, 6, 6)
Quickstep
"Queen Bee " — Rochelle Diamante
Safe
Alek & Lindsay
23 (8, 7, 8)
Jazz
"Don't Stop Believin' " — Journey
Safe
Alexa & Mark
24 (8, 8, 8)
Salsa
"Que Es Lo Que Quiere Esa Nena" — El General
Safe
Victor & Karina
17 (6, 5, 6)
Jive
"La Bamba " — Ritchie Valens
Safe
Tamar & Val
24 (8, 8, 8)
Cha-cha-cha
"We Are Family " — Sister Sledge
Safe
Gary & Anna
18 (6, 6, 6)
Foxtrot
"Wouldn't It Be Nice " — The Beach Boys
Safe
Carlos & Witney
24 (8, 8, 8)
Foxtrot
"Home " — Blake Shelton
Safe
Bindi & Derek
25 (9, 8, 8)
Tango
"You Shook Me All Night Long " — AC/DC
Safe
Night 2
Couple
Scores[ 5]
Dance
Music
Result
Hayes & Emma
23 (8, 7, 8)
Quickstep
"Are You Gonna Be My Girl " — Jet
Safe
Carlos & Witney
21 (7, 7, 7)
Cha-cha-cha
"Hound Dog " — Big Mama Thornton
Safe
Gary & Anna
15 (5, 5, 5)
Paso doble
"1812 Overture " — Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Safe
Andy & Allison
23 (8, 8, 7)
Contemporary
"Heaven Is a Place on Earth " — Belinda Carlisle
Safe
Alexa & Mark
22 (7, 7, 8)
Rumba
"Somewhere in Time " — John Barry
Safe
Paula & Louis
18 (6, 6, 6)
Tango
"Get Ready " — The Temptations
Safe
Bindi & Derek
23 (7, 8, 8)
Waltz
"Only a Man" — Jonny Lang
Safe
Kim & Tony
18 (6, 6, 6)
Foxtrot
"Come Home " — OneRepublic , feat. Sara Bareilles
Safe
Alek & Lindsay
22 (7, 7, 8)
Quickstep
"American Girl " — Elle King
Safe
Victor & Karina
20 (7, 6, 7)
Rumba
"Girl on Fire " — Alicia Keys
Eliminated
Nick & Sharna
24 (8, 8, 8)
Foxtrot
"Coming Home, Pt. II " — Skylar Grey
Safe
Tamar & Val
25 (8, 8, 9)
Charleston
"Living in New York City " — Robin Thicke
Safe
Week 3: TV Night
Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Alfonso Ribeiro , Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
The couples performed one unlearned dance to famous television theme songs. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
After suffering a mini-stroke , Kim Zolciak-Biermann was unable to attend the dress rehearsal and live show, and had to withdraw from the competition. Her partner, Tony Dovolani , performed their samba routine during the live show with Jenna Johnson .[ 26] There was no additional elimination.
Couple
Scores[ 6]
Dance
Music
TV show
Carlos & Witney
31 (7, 8, 8, 8)
Jazz
"Thank You for Being a Friend " — Cynthia Fee
The Golden Girls
Paula & Louis
20 (5, 5, 5, 5)
Samba
"The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle " — The Eligibles
Gilligan's Island
Tamar & Val
33 (8, 9, 8, 8)
Tango
"A Beautiful Mine " — RJD2
Mad Men
Alexa & Mark
36 (9, 9, 9, 9)
Jazz
"Breaking Bad Theme" — Dave Porter
Breaking Bad
Andy & Allison
29 (7, 7, 8, 7)
Quickstep
"Bandstand Boogie " — Larry Elgart
American Bandstand
Gary & Anna
25 (6, 7, 6, 6)
Tango
"The Addams Family Theme " — Vic Mizzy
The Addams Family
Alek & Lindsay
33 (8, 8, 9, 8)
Tango
"Bad Things " — Jace Everett
True Blood
Bindi & Derek
32 (8, 8, 8, 8)
Quickstep
"Movin' on Up " — Ja'net Dubois
The Jeffersons
Nick & Sharna
36 (9, 9, 9, 9)
Viennese waltz
"Did I Make the Most of Loving You? " — Mary-Jess Leaverland
Downton Abbey
Hayes & Emma
30 (7, 8, 7, 8)
Jive
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Theme " — Chuck Lorre & Dennis C. Brown
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Week 4: Most Memorable Year Night
The couples performed one unlearned dance to celebrate the most memorable year of their lives. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
For the first time in the history of the program, Tom Bergeron did not appear as a host; he was absent to be with his ailing father. Alfonso Ribeiro filled in as co-host.[ 27]
Couple
Scores[ 7]
Dance
Music
Result
Alexa & Mark
21 (7, 7, 7)
Foxtrot
"Mama Said " — The Shirelles
Safe
Gary & Anna
16 (5, 6, 5)
Jazz
"That'll Be the Day " — Buddy Holly
Eliminated
Tamar & Val
27 (9, 9, 9)
Rumba
"King " — Tamar Braxton
Safe
Hayes & Emma
27 (9, 9, 9)
Contemporary
"Stitches " — Shawn Mendes
Safe
Alek & Lindsay
24 (8, 8, 8)
Paso doble
"Wake Me Up " — Avicii
Safe
Nick & Sharna
27 (9, 9, 9)
Jazz
"Everybody (Backstreet's Back) " — Backstreet Boys
Safe
Carlos & Witney
25 (9, 8, 8)
Waltz
"Amazing Grace " — Ray Chew
Safe
Paula & Louis
18 (6, 6, 6)
Cha-cha-cha
"Respect " — Aretha Franklin
Safe
Andy & Allison
23 (7, 8, 8)
Cha-cha-cha
"Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah) " — Andy Grammer
Safe
Bindi & Derek
28 (9, 9, 10)
Contemporary
"Every Breath You Take " — Aaron Krause, feat. Liza Anne
Safe
Week 5: Switch-Up Night
Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, Maksim Chmerkovskiy , Bruno Tonioli .
The couples performed one unlearned dance with a different partner selected by the general public. Couples are listed in the order they performed. Due to the nature of the week, no elimination took place at the end of the night.
Couple
Scores[ 28]
Dance
Music
Tamar & Louis
29 (7, 7, 8, 7)
Samba
"End of Time " — Beyoncé
Hayes & Allison
30 (8, 8, 7, 7)
Viennese waltz
"Like I'm Gonna Lose You " — Meghan Trainor , feat. John Legend
Paula & Mark
26 (7, 7, 6, 6)
Jive
"Shake " — Otis Redding
Alek & Emma
29 (8, 7, 7, 7)
Rumba
"Let It Go " — James Bay
Bindi & Val
37 (9, 9, 10, 9)
Cha-cha-cha
"Hold My Hand " — Jess Glynne
Carlos & Lindsay
39 (10, 10, 9, 10)
Quickstep
"Bossa Nova Baby " — Elvis Presley
Alexa & Derek
40 (10, 10, 10, 10)
Tango
"Pompeii " — Bastille
Andy & Sharna
36 (9, 9, 9, 9)
Argentine tango
"Can't Feel My Face " — The Weeknd
Nick & Witney
35 (9, 9, 8, 9)
Paso doble
"Don't Look Down " — Martin Garrix , feat. Usher
Week 6: Famous Dances Night
Individual judges scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, Olivia Newton-John , Bruno Tonioli.
The couples performed one unlearned dance that paid tribute to iconic dance performances from films and music videos. Leah Remini filled in for Erin Andrews.[ 19]
Couple
Scores[ 8]
Dance
Music
Result
Hayes & Emma
32 (8, 8, 8, 8)
Jazz
"You're the One That I Want " — John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
Safe
Andy & Allison
40 (10, 10, 10, 10)
Jazz
"Good Morning " — Debbie Reynolds , Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor
Safe
Alexa & Mark
30 (8, 7, 7, 8)
Cha-cha-cha
"I'm a Slave 4 U " — Britney Spears
Safe
Bindi & Derek
40 (10, 10, 10, 10)
Rumba
"(I've Had) The Time of My Life " — Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
Safe
Paula & Louis
24 (6, 6, 6, 6)
Jazz
"Vogue " — Madonna
Eliminated
Carlos & Witney
38 (10, 9, 9, 10)
Rumba
"Pony " — Ginuwine
Safe
Nick & Sharna
39 (9, 10, 10, 10)
Samba
"You Should Be Dancing " — Bee Gees
Safe
Alek & Lindsay
30 (8, 8, 7, 7)
Jive
"Jailhouse Rock " — Elvis Presley
Safe
Tamar & Val
40 (10, 10, 10, 10)
Jazz
"Rhythm Nation " — Janet Jackson
Safe
Week 7: Halloween Night
Couples performed one unlearned dance and a team dance to Halloween-themed songs. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Leah Remini again filled in for Erin Andrews.[ 20]
Couple
Scores[ 9]
Dance
Music
Result
Nick & Sharna
24 (8, 8, 8)
Argentine tango
"Bring Me to Life " — Evanescence , feat. Paul McCoy
Safe
Hayes & Emma
26 (8, 9, 9)
Waltz
"Once Upon a Dream " — Lana Del Rey
Eliminated
Alexa & Mark
27 (9, 9, 9)
Paso doble
"Hora Zero " — Rodrigo y Gabriela
Safe
Tamar & Val
24 (8, 8, 8)
Foxtrot
"People Are Strange " — The Doors
Safe
Andy & Allison
26 (9, 9, 8)
Paso doble
"The Beautiful People " — Marilyn Manson
Safe
Bindi & Derek
30 (10, 10, 10)
Argentine tango
"Cry Little Sister " — Gerard McMann
Safe
Alek & Lindsay
25 (9, 8, 8)
Viennese waltz
"Haunted " — Beyoncé
Safe
Carlos & Witney
28 (9, 10, 9)
Paso doble
"O Fortuna " — Carl Orff
Safe
Andy & Allison Hayes & Emma Nick & Sharna Tamar & Val
30 (10, 10, 10)
Freestyle (Team Nightmare)
"This Is Halloween " — Danny Elfman
Alek & Lindsay Alexa & Mark Bindi & Derek Carlos & Witney
28 (9, 10, 9)
Freestyle (Team Who You Gonna Call?)
"Ghostbusters " — Ray Parker Jr.
Week 8: Icons Night
Couples performed one unlearned dance that paid tribute to a personal icon of the celebrity; the couple with the highest score earned immunity from elimination, while the rest of the couples participated in dance-offs for extra points. For each dance-off, the couple with the highest score picked the opponent against whom they wanted to dance; the chosen opponent was allowed to pick the dance style (cha-cha-cha, jive, or samba). The winner of each dance-off earned three bonus points. Nick and Sharna received a three-point bonus for winning immunity. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Couple
Scores[ 10]
Dance
Music
Icon
Result
Carlos & Witney
27 (9, 9, 9)
Salsa
"Valió la Pena " — Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony
Safe
Alek & Lindsay
25 (9, 8, 8)
Contemporary
"Holding Out for a Hero " — Ella Mae Bowen
Chris Kyle
Safe
Andy & Allison
22 (8, 7, 7)
Viennese waltz
"Isn't She Lovely " — Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder & Kathryn Grammer
Eliminated
Alexa & Mark
25 (9, 8, 8)
Argentine tango
"Viva la Vida " — Coldplay
David
Safe
Nick & Sharna
30 (10, 10, 10)
Contemporary
"Can't Help Falling in Love " — Haley Reinhart
Lauren Kitt
Immunity
Bindi & Derek
28 (10, 9, 9)
Foxtrot
"Grace Kelly " — MIKA
Grace Kelly
Safe
Tamar & Val
28 (9, 9, 10)
Paso doble
"Born This Way " — Lady Gaga
Toni Braxton
Safe
^ Carlos & Witney received votes from all three judges.
^ Bindi & Derek received the public vote (64%).
^ Alexa & Mark received one vote from Carrie Ann, plus the public vote (76%).
^ Tamar & Val received votes from Julianne and Bruno.
^ Andy & Allison received votes from all three judges, plus the public vote (54%).
Week 9: Showstoppers Night
Couples performed one unlearned dance and a musical theater-inspired team-up dance with another couple, which involved the celebrities dancing side-by-side to the same song and receiving the same set of scores from the judges for the routine. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
During dress rehearsals, Tamar Braxton fell ill and was taken to the emergency room. She was unable to return for her contemporary dance; the judges' scores were based on dress rehearsal footage. Braxton did return in time for her team-up dance with Nick & Sharna. However, she subsequently withdrew from the competition after her doctors discovered pulmonary embolisms in her lungs.[ 29]
Couple
Scores[ 11]
Dance
Music
Result
Alek & Lindsay
24 (8, 8, 8)
Salsa
"Back It Up " — Prince Royce , feat. Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull
Safe
Alexa & Mark
30 (10, 10, 10)
Contemporary
"Make It Rain " — Ed Sheeran
Eliminated
Carlos & Witney
27 (9, 9, 9)
Argentine tango
"What Do You Mean? " — Justin Bieber
Safe
Bindi & Derek
30 (10, 10, 10)
Viennese Waltz
"Roses and Violets" — Alexander Jean
Safe
Tamar & Val
22 (8, 7, 7)
Contemporary
"Wicked Game " — James Vincent McMorrow
Safe(later withdrew)
Nick & Sharna
28 (9, 9, 10)
Quickstep
"A Cool Cat in Town" — Tape Five
Safe
Alek & Lindsay Carlos & Witney
24 (8, 8, 8)
Paso doble
"We Will Rock You " — Queen (from We Will Rock You )
Alexa & Mark Bindi & Derek
30 (10, 10, 10)
Charleston
"All That Jazz " & "Hot Honey Rag " — Kander and Ebb (from Chicago )
Nick & Sharna Tamar & Val
27 (9, 9, 9)
Rumba
"Hey Jude " — The Beatles (from Love )
Week 10: Semifinals
Couples performed one unlearned dance and a trio dance involving an eliminated pro or a pro from previous seasons. Midway through the show, the four couples participated in dance-offs, with the winners receiving three points to be added to their total scores. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Due to the unexpected withdrawal of Tamar Braxton earlier in the week, all four couples advanced directly to the finals.[ 30]
Couple
Trio partner
Scores[ 30]
Dance
Music
Bindi & Derek
Mark Ballas
27 (9, 9, 9)
Salsa
"You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile " — Sia
30 (10, 10, 10)
Jazz
"Resolve" — Nathan Lanier
Alek & Lindsay
Emma Slater
30 (10, 10, 10)
Waltz
"America the Beautiful " — Ray Chew
27 (9, 9, 9)
Argentine tango
"Ex's & Oh's " — Elle King
Carlos & Witney
Karina Smirnoff
28 (9, 9, 10)
Contemporary
"Drag Me Down " — One Direction
29 (9, 10, 10)
Charleston
"Booty Swing" — Parov Stelar
Nick & Sharna
Peta Murgatroyd
24 (8, 8, 8)
Tango
"Scars" — Alesso , feat. Ryan Tedder
30 (10, 10, 10)
Salsa
"No Doubt About It " — Jussie Smollett & Pitbull
Week 11: Finals
On the first night, couples danced a previously-learned style to a new song that was coached by one of the three judges, as well as a freestyle routine. On the second night, the final three couples performed a fusion dance that combined two dance styles. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Night 1
Couple
Scores[ 13]
Dance
Music
Result
Carlos & Witney
30 (10, 10, 10)
Foxtrot
"The Hills " — The Weeknd
Eliminated
30 (10, 10, 10)
Freestyle
"WTF (Where They From) " — Missy Elliott , feat. Pharrell Williams
Alek & Lindsay
27 (9, 9, 9)
Rumba
"The Pieces Don't Fit Anymore " — James Morrison
Safe
30 (10, 10, 10)
Freestyle
"Marchin On " — OneRepublic
Nick & Sharna
30 (10, 10, 10)
Jive
"Runaway Baby " — Bruno Mars
Safe
30 (10, 10, 10)
Freestyle
"Larger Than Life " — Backstreet Boys
Bindi & Derek
30 (10, 10, 10)
Quickstep
"Dr. Bones " — Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Safe
30 (10, 10, 10)
Freestyle
"Footprints in the Sand " — Leona Lewis
Night 2
Dance chart
The couples performed the following each week:
Weeks 1–6: One unlearned dance
Week 7: One unlearned dance & team dance
Week 8: One unlearned dance & dance-offs
Week 9: One unlearned dance & team-up dance
Week 10 (Semifinals): One unlearned dance, dance-offs & trio dance
Week 11 (Finals, Night 1): Judge's choice & freestyle
Week 11 (Finals, Night 2): Fusion dance
Color key:
Dancing with the Stars (season 21) - Dance chart
Couple
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Night 1
Night 2
Night 1
Night 2[ 14]
Bindi & Derek
Jive
Tango
Waltz
Quickstep
Contemp.
Cha-cha-cha
Rumba
Argentine tango
Team Freestyle
Foxtrot
Jive
Viennese waltz
Charleston
Salsa
Samba
Jazz
Quickstep
Freestyle
Argentine tango & Cha-cha-cha
Nick & Sharna
Cha-cha-cha
Jive
Foxtrot
Viennese waltz
Jazz
Paso doble
Samba
Argentine tango
Team Freestyle
Contemp.
Immunity
Quickstep
Rumba
Tango
Samba
Salsa
Jive
Freestyle
Salsa & Tango
Alek & Lindsay
Foxtrot
Jazz
Quickstep
Tango
Paso doble
Rumba
Jive
Viennese waltz
Team Freestyle
Contemp.
Samba
Salsa
Paso doble
Waltz
Cha-cha-cha
Argentine tango
Rumba
Freestyle
Rumba & Tango
Carlos & Witney
Jive
Foxtrot
Cha-cha-cha
Jazz
Waltz
Quickstep
Rumba
Paso doble
Team Freestyle
Salsa
Jive
Argentine tango
Paso doble
Contemp.
Cha-cha -cha
Charleston
Foxtrot
Freestyle
Rumba[ a]
Tamar & Val
Quickstep
Cha-cha-cha
Charleston
Tango
Rumba
Samba
Jazz
Foxtrot
Team Freestyle
Paso doble
Cha-cha-cha
Contemp.
Rumba
Alexa & Mark
Jive
Salsa
Rumba
Jazz
Foxtrot
Tango
Cha-cha-cha
Paso doble
Team Freestyle
Argentine tango
Cha-cha-cha
Contemp.
Charleston
Jazz[ a]
Andy & Allison
Foxtrot
Jive
Contemp.
Quickstep
Cha-cha-cha
Argentine tango
Jazz
Paso doble
Team Freestyle
Viennese waltz
Samba
Hayes & Emma
Cha-cha-cha
Foxtrot
Quickstep
Jive
Contemp.
Viennese waltz
Jazz
Waltz
Team Freestyle
Contemp. [ a]
Paula & Louis
Quickstep
Rumba
Tango
Samba
Cha-cha-cha
Jive
Jazz
Samba[ a]
Gary & Anna
Cha-cha-cha
Foxtrot
Paso doble
Tango
Jazz
Cha-cha-cha[ a]
Kim & Tony
Salsa
Quickstep
Foxtrot
Samba[ a]
Victor & Karina
Salsa
Jive
Rumba
Jive[ a]
Chaka & Keo
Cha-cha-cha
Foxtrot
Notes
^ a b c d e f g This couple danced, but received no scores.
Ratings
Episode
Air date
Rating/Share (18–49)
Viewers(millions)
18–49 rank(Weekly)
Viewership rank(Weekly)
Ref(s)
1
"Week 1: Premiere"
September 14, 2015
2.1
7
13.13
8
4
[ 31] [ 32]
2
"First Dances" (Clip Show)
September 15, 2015
1.1
4
5.70
21
19
[ 32] [ 33]
3
"Week 2: Hometown Glory, Part 1"
September 21, 2015
1.8
6
11.46
—[ a]
12
[ 34] [ 35]
4
"Week 2: Hometown Glory, Part 2"
September 22, 2015
1.5
5
9.58
20
[ 35] [ 36]
5
"Week 3: TV Night"
September 28, 2015
1.6
6
11.04
14
[ 37] [ 38]
6
"Week 4: Most Memorable Year"
October 5, 2015
1.7
5
11.82
24
9
[ 39] [ 40]
7
"Week 5: Switch-Up Night"
October 12, 2015
1.7
5
11.64
21
10
[ 41] [ 42]
8
"Week 6: Famous Dances Night"
October 19, 2015
1.9
6
12.50
22
7
[ 43] [ 44]
9
"Week 7: Halloween Night"
October 26, 2015
1.8
5
11.86
24
15
[ 45] [ 46]
10
"Week 8: Icons Night"
November 2, 2015
1.9
6
12.09
18
9
[ 47] [ 48]
11
"Week 9: Showstoppers Night"
November 9, 2015
2.0
6
12.63
17
6
[ 49] [ 50]
12
"Week 10: Semi-Finals"
November 16, 2015
1.8
6
12.35
22
6
[ 51] [ 52]
13
"Week 11: The Finals, Part 1"
November 23, 2015
2.1
7
13.29
12
6
[ 53] [ 54]
14
"Week 11: The Finals, Part 2"
November 24, 2015
2.4
8
13.49
9
5
[ 54] [ 55]
Notes
^ The weekly rank of these episodes is not known because they were not among the 25 highest-ranked shows of the week.
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