The Untold Story Of Kim Kardashian’s DWTS Disaster: Why She Regrets Her Season 7 Appearance

Yes, Kim Kardashian was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), and her short-lived appearance remains one of the most talked-about celebrity stints in the show's history. Her time in the ballroom on Season 7 in 2008, paired with professional dancer Mark Ballas, was far from the success story her later business ventures would become, ending in an early and somewhat awkward elimination. As of today, December 12, 2025, the most compelling new information is her candid reflection on the experience, where she recently admitted to a profound sense of regret about participating in the dance competition.

The reality TV star has since confessed on her Hulu series, The Kardashians, that the pressure and public scrutiny of the show were overwhelming, suggesting she "probably shouldn't have done DWTS." This modern perspective offers a fresh, candid look at a moment in time when Kim was still building her empire, years before she became a global mogul and legal reform advocate.

Kim Kardashian: A Brief Biography and Reality TV Profile

Kimberly Noel Kardashian, born October 21, 1980, in Los Angeles, California, is an American media personality, socialite, businesswoman, and model. She is the daughter of Robert Kardashian, a prominent attorney, and Kris Jenner.

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• Full Name: Kimberly Noel Kardashian
• Date of Birth: October 21, 1980
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Parents: Robert Kardashian and Kris Jenner
• Siblings: Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner
• Marital Status: Divorced (from Kanye West, Kris Humphries, Damon Thomas)
• Children: North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm West
• Known For: *Keeping Up with the Kardashians* (2007–2021), KKW Beauty, SKIMS, and her pursuit of a law degree.
• DWTS Season: Season 7 (2008)
• DWTS Partner: Mark Ballas
• DWTS Placement: 11th Place (Third Couple Eliminated)

The Unforgettable Season 7 DWTS Journey with Mark Ballas

Kim Kardashian joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars for its seventh season, which premiered in September 2008. At the time, her primary claim to fame was the burgeoning success of the E! reality series *Keeping Up with the Kardashians*. Her participation was a major coup for DWTS, bringing a new level of celebrity gossip and tabloid attention to the show.

The Partnership: Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas

Kim was paired with two-time DWTS champion, Mark Ballas. Ballas was known for his innovative choreography and high energy, having won the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 6 with partner Kristi Yamaguchi. The pairing was initially seen as a strong contender, combining Mark's professional skill with Kim's high-profile celebrity status and large fan base.

However, the partnership quickly faced challenges. Kim's lack of natural rhythm and apparent discomfort on the dance floor were evident from the start. Mark Ballas, who is generally a supportive partner, reportedly struggled to motivate the reality star, who seemed more focused on her rapidly expanding media obligations than on the intense dance training required for the competition. The partnership became a significant talking point among fans and critics alike.

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The Performances and Low Scores

Kim and Mark performed only three dances before their elimination. Her scores were consistently among the lowest of the season, a stark contrast to the high marks typically earned by Mark Ballas's partners.

• Week 1: Foxtrot. Performed to "The Pink Panther Theme." The couple received a score of 19 out of 30. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli gave scores of 6, 7, and 6, respectively. The critiques focused on her stiffness and lack of fluidity.
• Week 2: Mambo. Performed to Sir Mix-a-Lot’s "Baby Got Back." This performance earned them a score of 18 out of 30, a slight drop from the previous week. The judges were unimpressed, noting her difficulty with the Latin rhythm and hip action.
• Week 3: Viennese Waltz. This was the final dance, where they received a score of 17 out of 30.

The combined average score for Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas was 18.0, placing them at the bottom of the leaderboard for much of their run. The competition was fierce that season, featuring strong dancers like eventual winner Brooke Burke (paired with Derek Hough) and runner-up Warren Sapp.

Why Kim Kardashian Regrets Her DWTS Experience (A Fresh Perspective)

The most compelling and up-to-date information regarding Kim Kardashian's DWTS experience comes from her own mouth, years after the fact. While the show was a major career moment for many celebrities, Kim has openly expressed her dissatisfaction with her time on the reality competition.

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The Hulu Confession

In a recent episode of her current reality show, *The Kardashians* on Hulu, Kim reflected on her past career moves. She specifically singled out her DWTS stint as a moment of regret, telling her sister Khloé Kardashian that she "probably shouldn't have done DWTS."

She elaborated on the immense pressure and the feeling of being completely out of her element. Unlike her own reality show, where she controls the narrative, DWTS placed her in a highly competitive and physically demanding environment where her performance was judged live and publicly. She even jokingly suggested that she should have taken some shots of alcohol before performing to calm her nerves, illustrating the anxiety she felt during the live broadcasts.

The Timing and Public Scrutiny

Kim’s DWTS appearance came at a pivotal time in her career. The family's reality show, *Keeping Up with the Kardashians*, was still relatively new. Her participation in DWTS was meant to elevate her status, but the intense media attention combined with her poor performance may have had the opposite effect initially, leading to increased scrutiny of her talents outside of the reality TV format.

The early elimination, which saw her and Mark Ballas as the third couple to leave, was a humbling experience for the star who would later become synonymous with success. This context is crucial: her DWTS run represents a rare public failure, a stark contrast to the nearly flawless public image she now maintains.

The DWTS Season 7 Star-Studded Cast: Entities and Topical Authority

To fully understand Kim’s journey, it is important to recognize the level of competition she faced on *Dancing with the Stars* Season 7. The cast was highly diverse and included several strong celebrity dancers, which further highlighted Kim's struggles. The season was hosted by Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris, with the permanent judging panel of Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli.

The full celebrity cast included:

• Brooke Burke (Model/Host) – The eventual winner, paired with Derek Hough.
• Warren Sapp (NFL Player) – Runner-up, paired with Kym Johnson.
• Lance Bass (*NSYNC Singer) – Paired with Lacey Schwimmer.
• Cody Linley (*Hannah Montana* Star) – Paired with Julianne Hough (later Edyta Śliwińska).
• Susan Lucci (*All My Children* Star) – Paired with Tony Dovolani.
• Toni Braxton (Singer) – Paired with Alec Mazo.
• Maurice Greene (Olympic Gold Medalist) – Paired with Cheryl Burke.
• Rocco DiSpirito (Chef) – Paired with Karina Smirnoff.
• Cloris Leachman (Actress) – Paired with Corky Ballas.
• Jeffrey Ross (Comedian) – Paired with Edyta Śliwińska.
• Ted McGinley (Actor) – Paired with Inna Brayer.

Kim Kardashian’s appearance on Dancing with the Stars, while a brief and ultimately disappointing chapter in her career, remains a fascinating piece of pop culture history. It was one of the last times she participated in a project where she didn't have full creative control, and her recent comments confirm that it was an experience she is happy to have left in the past.