11 Shocking Secrets And Where The Cast Of Dancing With The Stars 10 Is Now

The tenth season of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), which aired in 2010, remains one of the most talked-about installments in the show’s history, and its legacy continues to resonate today in December 2025. This season was a perfect storm of high-caliber dancing, unexpected eliminations, and a celebrity cast that ranged from a Pussycat Doll to a legendary astronaut. The competition was fierce, setting multiple scoring records that would stand for years, ultimately crowning a winner who was destined for the ballroom from the start.

The season saw the return of veteran judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba, with Brooke Burke stepping into the role of host alongside Tom Bergeron. The sheer talent on display, particularly from the eventual champion, raised the bar for all future competitors. We're diving deep into the full cast, the incredible journey, and the shocking moments that defined this iconic mirrorball run, including where the most memorable stars are now.

Nicole Scherzinger: The Champion's Complete Profile and Career

The winner of Dancing with the Stars Season 10 was the multi-talented singer, actress, and television personality, Nicole Scherzinger. Her partnership with professional dancer Derek Hough was a powerhouse combination, earning her a reputation as one of the most naturally gifted competitors the show has ever seen.

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• Full Name: Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger
• Date of Birth: June 29, 1978
• Place of Birth: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
• Ethnicity: Filipino, Hawaiian, and Russian descent
• Career Highlights: Scherzinger rose to global fame as the lead singer of the hugely successful girl group and dance ensemble, The Pussycat Dolls. She later launched a solo music career and transitioned into acting and significant television roles, including judging on The X Factor (UK and US) and The Masked Singer (US).
• DWTS Partner: Derek Hough (who secured his second of six total Mirrorball trophies with this win).
• DWTS Achievement: Scherzinger and Hough earned the highest season average score ever recorded at the time, dominating the leaderboard from the very beginning.

Scherzinger's success on the show was not a surprise to many fans who had watched her perform with The Pussycat Dolls, but her ability to master ballroom and Latin styles like the Paso Doble, Argentine Tango, and Jive with such speed and precision was extraordinary. Her perfect scores were a testament to her dedication.

The Definitive Ranking: All 11 Couples of DWTS Season 10

The cast of Season 10 featured a diverse mix of athletes, actors, reality TV stars, and musicians, all vying for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. This season introduced the use of the Macy's Stars of Dance program and saw the competition heat up with numerous high-scoring routines. Below is the complete list of the 11 celebrity-professional pairings and their final placement in the competition, from first to last.

1. Nicole Scherzinger & Derek Hough: The Champions. Their finale Argentine Tango and Jive were unforgettable.
2. Evan Lysacek & Anna Trebunskaya: The Olympic figure skater was a strong contender, finishing a very respectable second place. His technical skill was often praised by Judge Len Goodman.
3. Erin Andrews & Maksim Chmerkovskiy: The sports broadcaster and her fiery partner finished third, surprising many with their chemistry and progress.
4. Chad Ochocinco & Cheryl Burke: The NFL star, known then as Chad Johnson, showed great personality and improved significantly, finishing in fourth place.
5. Niecy Nash & Louis van Amstel: The actress and comedian brought humor and heart to the ballroom, ending their journey in fifth place.
6. Pamela Anderson & Damian Whitewood: The iconic actress and model provided many of the season's glamorous moments before being eliminated in sixth place.
7. Kate Gosselin & Tony Dovolani: The reality TV personality was a controversial and highly-discussed participant, with her emotional journey ending in seventh place.
8. Jake Pavelka & Chelsie Hightower: The star of The Bachelor was the eighth celebrity eliminated.
9. Aiden Turner & Edyta Śliwińska: The All My Children actor was the third couple to be eliminated.
10. Buzz Aldrin & Ashly Costa: The legendary astronaut, a true American hero, charmed audiences but was the second to be eliminated, proving that even moonwalkers can struggle with the Foxtrot.
11. Shannen Doherty & Mark Ballas: The Beverly Hills, 90210 actress was the first couple eliminated in a shocking early exit.

Records, Controversies, and the Lasting Legacy of Season 10

While every season of Dancing with the Stars has its moments, Season 10 is often remembered for its incredibly high standard of competition and a few notable controversies that kept the show in the headlines. The season delivered on the promise of combining celebrity gossip with world-class ballroom dancing.

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The Perfect Score Phenomenon

Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough were record-setters. They were the first couple in the show’s history to receive a perfect score of 30 for four different dances: the Paso Doble, the Argentine Tango (twice), and the Jive. Their technical mastery and passionate performances, especially their Argentine Tango, are still highlighted in retrospective specials. This achievement cemented Derek Hough's reputation as a creative genius and a winning professional dancer.

The Kate Gosselin Effect

Perhaps the biggest talking point of the season was the participation of reality star Kate Gosselin. Her journey was marked by tension with her partner, Tony Dovolani, and consistently low scores from the judges, including Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba. Despite this, she survived multiple weeks due to strong viewer votes, a phenomenon that sparked intense debate among the fanbase about the voting system. Her elimination ultimately came in Week 5, but the controversy surrounding her continued to fuel discussions for years.

Where Are They Now? (2025 Update)

The stars of Season 10 have remained highly visible in the entertainment and sports worlds.

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• Nicole Scherzinger: Continues her successful career in music and television, notably as a judge on The Masked Singer. She is also active in philanthropic work and recently became engaged.
• Derek Hough: After winning six Mirrorball trophies, he transitioned to the judging panel, becoming a full-time judge on Dancing with the Stars, a role he holds today. His impact on the show is immeasurable.
• Erin Andrews: She went on to become a co-host of Dancing with the Stars from 2014 to 2020, solidifying her long-term connection to the show and her status as a major sports broadcaster.
• Evan Lysacek: The Olympic champion retired from competitive figure skating and has focused on various business and media ventures.
• Maksim Chmerkovskiy: Remains one of the most recognizable and beloved professional dancers, often returning to the show for special appearances and continuing to run his dance studios.

Dancing with the Stars 10 was a landmark season that perfectly blended celebrity spectacle with breathtaking technical dancing. The combination of Nicole Scherzinger’s record-breaking talent, Derek Hough’s choreography, and a controversial, engaging supporting cast ensured that this season would be remembered as one of the show's most influential and entertaining runs.