The DWTS Season 16 Cast: Where Are They Now? Shocking 2024 Updates On Kellie Pickler, Zendaya, And More

The sixteenth season of Dancing with the Stars, which aired in the spring of 2013, delivered one of the most compelling and closely contested finals in the show's history, pitting a rising Disney star against a beloved country music underdog. The season was a pivotal moment for the show, introducing new professional dancers who would become mainstays, showcasing incredible talent, and ultimately crowning a champion in a dramatic finale. This deep dive, updated for late 2024 and early 2025, reveals the full cast, the season’s most memorable moments, and the dramatic, often surprising, paths the celebrities and pros have taken since leaving the ballroom.

This season is best remembered for the incredible competition between the eventual winner, country singer Kellie Pickler, and the prodigious talent of runner-up Zendaya. Beyond the Mirrorball Trophy, Season 16 launched the careers of several fan-favorite professional dancers and featured a diverse cast of athletes, actors, and reality stars whose lives have seen major transformations, including an A-list explosion and a heartbreaking loss in 2024.

The Full DWTS Season 16 Cast and Final Rankings

The lineup for Dancing with the Stars Season 16, which premiered on March 18, 2013, was notable for its mix of Olympic athletes, a beloved reality star, and a future Hollywood icon. It also marked the debut of professional dancers Lindsay Arnold, Gleb Savchenko, and Sharna Burgess, all of whom became major figures in later seasons. The competition was fierce, culminating in a final that was separated by less than one percent of the total votes.

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• Winner: Kellie Pickler (Country Music Singer) with Derek Hough
• Runner-up: Zendaya (Disney Channel Star) with Valentin Chmerkovskiy
• 3rd Place: Jacoby Jones (NFL Wide Receiver) with Karina Smirnoff
• 4th Place: Aly Raisman (Olympic Gymnast) with Mark Ballas
• 5th Place (Eliminated Week 8): Ingo Rademacher (Soap Opera Actor) with Kym Johnson
• 6th Place (Eliminated Week 7): Sean Lowe (*The Bachelor* Star) with Peta Murgatroyd
• 7th Place (Eliminated Week 6): Andy Dick (Comedian/Actor) with Sharna Burgess
• 8th Place (Eliminated Week 5): Victor Ortiz (Professional Boxer) with Lindsay Arnold
• 9th Place (Eliminated Week 4): Lisa Vanderpump (Reality TV Star) with Gleb Savchenko
• 10th Place (Eliminated Week 3): D.L. Hughley (Comedian) with Cheryl Burke
• 11th Place (Eliminated Week 2): Wynonna Judd (Country Music Singer) with Tony Dovolani
• Withdrew (Week 2): Dorothy Hamill (Olympic Figure Skater) with Tristan MacManus

Where Are They Now? Shocking 2024 and 2025 Updates

While the Mirrorball Trophy was won in 2013, the lives and careers of the Season 16 cast have continued to evolve dramatically. Many of the biggest stars from this season have made headlines in 2024 and 2025, from massive career highs to personal tragedy and legal battles.

The A-List Ascent of Zendaya

Zendaya, who was the youngest contestant in the show’s history at the time of her participation (age 16), has experienced one of the most meteoric rises in Hollywood. Her time on DWTS proved she was a performer of immense talent, but her career since has been nothing short of phenomenal. She is now a global A-list actress, recognized as a fashion icon and one of the highest-paid stars in the industry.

• 2024 Blockbusters: She led two of the year’s biggest films, starring as Chani in the sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two and as the competitive Tashi Duncan in the critically acclaimed romantic drama Challengers.
• Fashion Icon Status: In 2024, she was named a co-chair for the prestigious Met Gala, solidifying her status as a global style authority.
• Future Projects: She is slated to return for the highly anticipated third season of the Emmy-winning HBO series Euphoria, further cementing her prestige television career.

Kellie Pickler's Legal Battles and Triumphant Return

After her emotional victory with partner Derek Hough—which marked a record fourth win for Hough—Kellie Pickler largely stepped away from the spotlight following the tragic death of her husband, Kyle Jacobs, in 2023. However, 2024 has seen the country singer navigating a difficult personal and legal landscape, alongside a much-anticipated return to public life.

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• 2024 Legal Dispute: Pickler has been involved in an ongoing legal battle with her late husband's family over estate property, a dispute that has played out in court filings throughout 2024.
• Return to the Stage: Despite the personal turmoil, the singer made a triumphant and emotional return to the stage in 2024, signaling a new chapter in her career.

The Tragic Loss of Jacoby Jones

Jacoby Jones, the charismatic Super Bowl XLVII champion who finished in third place with Karina Smirnoff, was a fan-favorite known for his infectious energy and showmanship. The world of football and DWTS mourned a devastating loss in 2024.

• Passing in 2024: Jacoby Jones passed away peacefully in his home in New Orleans in July 2024 at the age of 40.
• Legacy: His former team, the Baltimore Ravens, and the SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) mourned the loss of the former wide receiver and return specialist, remembering him as a person who "lit up a room just by walking in it."

Other Noteworthy Journeys and Professional Debuts

Season 16 was a breeding ground for future talent, both celebrity and professional, making it a highly influential season for the show's legacy. The paths of the other contestants and debuting pros continue to shape the pop culture landscape.

Aly Raisman’s Advocacy and Media Role

Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, who finished a strong fourth with Mark Ballas, has channeled her post-gymnastics career into powerful advocacy work. In 2024, she was highly active in the media, serving as an ESPN analyst for NCAA gymnastics and contributing to Olympics.com for the Paris 2024 Games. In 2025, her continued work as an abuse survivor advocate was recognized by Purina, highlighting her ongoing commitment to social causes.

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The Rise of the New Professional Dancers

This season was a significant turning point for the professional cast, introducing three dancers who would go on to become Mirrorball winners and fan favorites in their own right:

• Lindsay Arnold: Her debut with Victor Ortiz launched a career that saw her win Season 25 with Jordan Fisher and become one of the show's most successful choreographers.
• Gleb Savchenko: Partnered with Lisa Vanderpump, Gleb's debut marked the beginning of his tenure as one of the show's most recognizable male pros.
• Sharna Burgess: Her partnership with Andy Dick, a pairing praised for its unlikely chemistry and emotional journey, was the start of her celebrated run on the show, culminating in a Season 27 win with Bobby Bones.

Lisa Vanderpump's DWTS Drama

Reality television star Lisa Vanderpump's time on the show was short-lived but memorable, often citing the intense physical toll of the competition. Her elimination in Week 4, following a fainting spell during rehearsals, was one of the season’s most discussed moments, highlighting the immense physical demands of the ballroom. She returned to her successful restaurant empire and reality TV career, notably on Vanderpump Rules and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

From the tragic passing of Jacoby Jones to the global superstardom of Zendaya and the personal resilience of Kellie Pickler, the cast of Dancing with the Stars Season 16 has proven that the ballroom is only the first step in a much longer, and often more dramatic, life journey. The season remains a benchmark for talent and emotional storytelling, a legacy that continues to make headlines more than a decade later.