Children’s television
Dancing with the Stars: Juniors
The story
Dancing with the Stars: Juniors is an American children's dance competition television series that premiered on October 7, 2018, on ABC. It was a spin-off of the Dancing with the Stars series, which is based on the British reality TV competition Strictly Come Dancing. The format of the show featured celebrity children (either in their own right or having celebrity parentage) paired with professional junior ballroom dancers and mentored by an adult professional dancer. The couples competed against each other by performing choreographed dance routines in front of a panel of judges. In September 2019, ABC cancelled the series after one season.
Format
Like Dancing with the Stars, the scores used for eliminations were based 50% on the judges' scores and 50% on audience voting. Unlike the parent series, only studio audience members who are not family members during each week's episode were able to vote; there is no at-home voting. The team with the lowest total score after combining votes and judges' scores is eliminated.
Couples and mentors
On August 1, 2018, the junior professional dancers and adult mentors were revealed. On September 25, during the second episode of season 27 of Dancing with the Stars, the junior celebrities were announced.
Hosts and judges
Dancing with the Stars season 25 winner Jordan Fisher and finalist Frankie Muniz served as the hosts. Two-time professional champion Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Emmy winning choreographer Mandy Moore, and season 26 celebrity champion Adam Rippon served as the judges.
Dance troupe
The Dancing with the Stars: Juniors troupe consisted of Makeila Lawrence, Cody Bingham, Reese Hatala, Sebastian Jozuka, and Daniel Novikov. They were mentored by Dancing with the Stars troupe member Morgan Larson.
Future appearances
Rylee Arnold became a professional dancer on season 32 of Dancing with the Stars.
Hailey Bills became a professional dancer as a member of the troupe on season 34., then promoted to a professional dancer on the main cast for season 35.
Jake Monreal competed on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.
Kamri Peterson was announced as a first-time troupe member for season 35 on August 2, 2026, during the series' inaugural fan convention.
Scoring charts
The highest score each week is indicated in bold green with a dagger (†). The lowest score each week is indicated in italicized red with a double-dagger (‡).
Weekly scores
Individual judges' scores in the chart below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Mandy Moore, Adam Rippon.
Week 1: First Dances
Each couple performed the cha-cha-cha, foxtrot, jive or salsa. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 2: Song from the Year I Was Born
Each couple performed one unlearned dance to a song that came out the year the celebrities were born. The Argentine tango, paso doble, and quickstep were introduced. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 3: Disney Night
Each couple performed one unlearned dance to a song from a Disney film. The Charleston, contemporary, jazz, and samba were introduced. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 4: Halloween Night
Each couple performed one unlearned dance to Halloween themes and songs. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 5: Juniors' Choice
Each couple performed one unlearned dance to a song of their choice. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 6: Giving Thanks
Each couple performed one unlearned dance dedicated to someone important in their lives. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 7: Time Machine
Each couple performed one unlearned dance to an era of their choice. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 8: Semi-Finals
Each couple performed one unlearned dance and a team fusion dance. No elimination took place. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Week 9: Finale
Each couple performed their favorite dance during the competition with their mentor and a holiday-themed freestyle. Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Dance chart
The celebrities and professional partners danced one of these routines for each corresponding week:
Week 1 (First Dances): One unlearned dance
Week 2 (Song From the Year I Was Born): One unlearned dance
Week 3 (Disney Night): One unlearned dance
Week 4 (Halloween Night): One unlearned dance
Week 5 (Juniors' Choice): One unlearned dance
Week 6 (Giving Thanks): One unlearned dance
Week 7 (Time Machine): One unlearned dance
Week 8 (Semifinals): One unlearned dance & team fusion dance
Week 9 (Finale): Favorite dance & freestyle