‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pros Then & Now: See Them in Their First Seasons Compared to Today
Dancing With the Stars celebrated its 20th anniversary on June 1, 2025, and it’s hard to believe how far the show has come. In addition to how much the production value, costumes, and dances in general have changed, the pro dancers have also transformed quite a bit since their first seasons on the show.
While none of the Season 1 pros are on the show anymore, there are so many professional dancers who became staples over the years, many of whom are still part of the cast today. Several of the pros have gone on to become celebrities in their own rights, including Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, and more.
In honor of the milestone anniversary, we’re looking back at how far some of our favorite pros have come. Scroll down to see then-and-now photos of the most beloved pros from their first seasons of the show and today.
Dancing With the Stars, Season 34, September 2025, ABC
Cheryl Burke
After 25 seasons as a pro on Dancing With the Stars, Cheryl Burke‘s last appearance was Season 31 (2022). She’s a two-time champion and made her debut on the show during Season 2 (2006).
Amid buzz about her appearance in 2025, Burke said on TikTok, “I’m not on Ozempic. I’m not sick. I didn’t get a face transplant, and no, I didn’t get a brow lift.”
Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Maksim Chmerkovskiy made his DWTS debut during Season 2 in 2006. He left after Season 25 (2017), although he’s also made guest appearances as a judge.
Karina Smirnoff
After making her debut in Season 3 (2006), Karina Smirnoff was a pro for 18 seasons of DWTS. Her last season was Season 22 (2016).
Julianne Hough
Julianne Hough was barely legal when she made her DWTS debut in Season 4 (2007). She appeared on five seasons as a pro and later served as a judge for five seasons. Now, she cohosts the show.
Derek Hough
Derek Hough is basically DWTS royalty. While he’s now a judge on the show, he started out as a pro on Season 5 (2007) and competed for 17 seasons before leaving in Season 23 (2016).
Lacey Schwimmer
Lacey Schwimmer was a pro for six seasons during the height of DWTS. She made her debut in Season 7 (2008) and last appeared in Season 13 (2011).
Val Chmerkovskiy
Since making his debut during Season 13 (2011), Val Chmerkovskiy has appeared on 20 seasons of the show and is still one of the beloved pros today.
Peta Murgatroyd
Peta Murgatroyd has been on the show on-and-off since her Season 13 (2011) debut. Her most recent appearance was Season 32 (2023).
Mark Ballas
Can we talk about this hair transformation? Mark Ballas debuted on Season 5 (2007) of DWTS and was a 19-time pro before taking a long hiatus and returning for Season 31 (2022).
Sharna Burgess
Sharna Burgess first appeared on DWTS in Season 16 (2013) and was on the show 14 times before her last appearance in Season 30 (2021).
Lindsay Arnold
Lindsay Arnold was just a teenager when she first became a DWTS pro in Season 16 (2013). After a few seasons off, she returned for Season 21 (2015) and has been a pro 10 times, most recently in Season 30 (2021).
Emma Slater
Emma Slater‘s first appearance as a pro was Season 17 (2013), and she’s still on the show today.
Witney Carson
Since making her debut in Season 18 (2014), Witney Carson has been a pro 14 times, including in the most recent season.
Jenna Johnson
Jenna Johnson‘s first time as a pro was Season 23 (2016), and she’s still on the show today.
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