The Unforgettable Journey: Where Are The Dancing With The Stars 21 Cast Now?

Dancing with the Stars Season 21 (DWTS 21), which premiered on September 14, 2015, is widely regarded as one of the most heartwarming and technically brilliant seasons in the show's history, largely due to its inspiring winner. The season set a new benchmark for excellence and emotional performances, culminating in a record-breaking victory. As of today, the legacy of this season continues, with its biggest stars now married, starting families, and still dominating the entertainment world.

The competition saw 13 celebrity contestants vie for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy, but it was the incredible journey of a young conservationist that truly captured the world's attention. This article dives deep into the full cast, the unexpected eliminations, the impressive records set, and provides the most current updates on the main stars' lives in 2024.

The Record-Setting Cast of Dancing With The Stars Season 21

Season 21 featured a diverse mix of celebrities, from beloved singers and television stars to an American hero and a conservation icon. The judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—were often left speechless by the high caliber of dancing. Here is a complete look at the 13 couples and their final placement in the competition:

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• 1st Place (Winners): Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough
• 2nd Place (Runners-Up): Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess
• 3rd Place: Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold
• 4th Place (Semi-Final Elimination Shock): Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson
• 5th Place: Tamar Braxton and Val Chmerkovskiy (Withdrew due to health issues)
• 6th Place: Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas
• 7th Place: Andy Grammer and Allison Holker
• 8th Place: Hayes Grier and Emma Slater
• 9th Place: Paula Deen and Louis van Amstel
• 10th Place: Gary Busey and Anna Trebunskaya
• 11th Place: Victor Espinoza and Karina Smirnoff
• 12th Place: Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Tony Dovolani (Withdrew due to a mini-stroke)
• 13th Place: Chaka Khan and Keo Motsepe

The Bindi Irwin Effect: Eight Perfect Scores and a New Record

The undisputed highlight of Season 21 was the partnership between conservationist Bindi Irwin and five-time champion professional dancer Derek Hough. Their chemistry and Bindi's emotional, raw performances dedicated to her late father, Steve Irwin, made them instant fan favorites.

The duo, affectionately known as 'Team Crikey,' didn't just win; they dominated. They set a new show record by achieving an astonishing eight perfect scores (40 out of 40) throughout the season, a feat that cemented their place in DWTS history.

Their final performance, a poignant and technically flawless Freestyle, is still considered one of the greatest dances ever performed on the show. Bindi's journey was more than a dance competition; it was a tribute and a personal transformation that resonated deeply with millions of viewers across the globe.

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The Shocking Semi-Final Elimination and Fan Outrage

While the finale was a celebration, the road to the Mirror Ball Trophy was not without its drama, particularly in the semi-finals. Season 21 featured a unique dynamic with the inclusion of married couple Alexa PenaVega and Carlos PenaVega, who competed against each other. Both proved to be strong dancers, with Carlos PenaVega and his partner Witney Carson consistently earning high marks.

The biggest shock of the season came during the semi-finals when Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson were eliminated, finishing in 4th place. Given their high scores throughout the competition and their technical ability, many fans and critics were left stunned by the result, which highlighted the unpredictable nature of the fan vote. This elimination remains a talking point among the DWTS community as a moment when a high-performing couple was sent home just shy of the finale. The final three—Bindi, Nick, and Alek—were all strong, but Carlos’s exit was the season's most controversial moment.

Where Are They Now? Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough in 2024

The true measure of a DWTS season is often what happens to its stars long after the Mirror Ball is awarded. For the stars of Season 21, life has been filled with major milestones, making the information about them in 2024 incredibly fresh and relevant.

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Bindi Irwin: Family Life and Conservation Legacy

After her win, Bindi Irwin returned to her conservation work at the Australia Zoo, continuing her father’s legacy. In the years since DWTS, Bindi has experienced major personal milestones:

• Marriage: She married her long-time boyfriend, Chandler Powell, a former professional wakeboarder, in 2020.
• Motherhood: In 2021, Bindi and Chandler welcomed their daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell.
• Current Update (2024): In a major life update, Bindi and her family have reportedly relocated to the United States to support her brother, Robert Irwin, who is competing on a recent season of Dancing with the Stars. This shows the enduring connection the Irwin family has to the show.

Derek Hough: Judge, Choreographer, and Married Man

Derek Hough's win with Bindi Irwin was his record-breaking sixth Mirror Ball Trophy, solidifying his status as a DWTS legend. Since then, his career has evolved significantly:

• DWTS Judge: Derek returned to the show not as a pro dancer, but as a permanent judge, a role he holds in 2024.
• Marriage: In August 2023, Derek married his long-time girlfriend and fellow professional dancer, Hayley Erbert, in a picturesque ceremony in Monterey County, California.
• Current Status: Derek is a central figure in the current iteration of Dancing with the Stars, providing expert commentary and choreography, ensuring his Season 21 legacy remains highly visible today.

Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess

Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess were fierce competitors, finishing in a respectable second place. Nick has since returned to touring with the Backstreet Boys and has continued his solo music career. Sharna Burgess, who was Derek Hough's sister-in-law's partner, has also had major life changes, including becoming a mother with her partner, actor Brian Austin Green. Their Season 21 partnership remains one of the most memorable celebrity/pro pairings in the show's history.

The success of Dancing with the Stars Season 21, from the flawless performances of Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough to the surprising early exit of Tamar Braxton and the shocking semi-final elimination of Carlos PenaVega, cemented its status as an iconic season. The sheer number of perfect scores and the emotional narrative of the winner ensured that this 2015 season continues to be discussed and celebrated by fans in 2024.