Couples

This season featured thirteen celebrity contestants. Good Morning America announced the professional dancers who would be competing in the upcoming season on August 27, 2017.^[2] Alan Bersten, a member of the troupe since season 20, was promoted to pro. Drew Scott was announced as the first celebrity competing for the season, partnered with Emma Slater.^[3] On September 6, the rest of the cast was revealed on Good Morning America.^[4]

Hosts and judges

Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews returned as hosts, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli returned as judges.^[15] Julianne Hough did not return as a permanent judge this season, though she did return as a guest judge during the first night of the finals.^[16] On October 23, singer Shania Twain joined the panel as a guest judge.^[17]

Dance troupe

The troupe consisted of former pros Sasha Farber and Jenna Johnson, and prior troupe members Artur Adamski, Brandon Armstrong, Hayley Erbert, and Britt Stewart.^[18]

Week 1: First Dances

Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 2: Ballroom Night & Latin Night

The couples had to prepare two new dances to be performed on two consecutive nights. On Monday, the couples performed an unlearned ballroom routine, with one couple being eliminated at the end of the show. On Tuesday, the remaining couples performed an unlearned Latin routine, with another couple being eliminated. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Night 1 (Ballroom)

Night 2 (Latin)

Week 3: Guilty Pleasures Night

The couples performed one unlearned dance to a song that reminded them of their secret guilty pleasure. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

At the start of the show, a moment of silence was held to honor the victims of the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, which had occurred the previous day.^[23] It was announced at the beginning of the show that, due to the tragedy, no elimination would take place.

Vanessa Lachey performed with Alan Bersten this week while Maksim Chmerkovskiy was absent dealing with a "personal matter".^[24]

Week 4: Most Memorable Year Night

The couples danced one unlearned dance to celebrate the most memorable year of their lives. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 5: Disney Night

The couples performed one unlearned dance to a song from a Disney film. All performances were chronological based on when the films were released.

Week 6: A Night at the Movies

Individual judges' scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Shania Twain, Bruno Tonioli.

The couples performed one unlearned dance, capturing the spirit of a specific movie genre. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 7: Halloween Night

The couples performed one unlearned dance and a team dance. Couples are listed in the order they performed. Two couples were eliminated at the end of the night.

Week 8: Quarterfinals

The couples performed an unlearned dance and a trio dance. The trio partners were past celebrity winners or finalists. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 9: Semifinals

The couples performed an unlearned dance using music chosen by the pros, as well as a dance that reinterpreted an iconic routine from a previous season. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Week 10: Finals

Individual judges' scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Julianne Hough (Night 1 only), Bruno Tonioli.

On the first night, the couples performed a redemption dance and their freestyle routine On the second night, the final three couples performed their favorite routine and a fusion dance of two previously-learned dance styles. Couples are listed in the order they performed.

Night 1

Night 2