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‘DWTS’: Most memorable dances of series to date from season 25’s pros

By Cayla Masters

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Getty Images Witney Carson, Alfonso Riberio

On Thursday morning, Good Morning America revealed the professionals who will be competing for the coveted Mirrorball trophy this upcoming season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars!

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While we continue to obsess over this magnificent lineup of experts and make our celebrity guesses leading up to the September 6 reveal, let’s relive the just-announced pros’ most iconic and praised dances on the show thus far.

Mark Ballas: After two seasons away from the ballroom to perform on Broadway and tour with his singing partner and wife, the two-time champion is eager to claim another victory. Ballas, who made his DWTS pro debut in 2006, has had quite a handful of unforgettable moments to say the least; however, its his record-breaking Paso Doble with Cheetah Girl alum Sabrina Bryan from that same year wowing us to this day. How often do you see a couple score a perfect 30 in only week four of the competition? Their early exit from season five is still a stringer and Bryan deserved better.

Emma Slater: Fresh off her win with NFL free agent Rashad Jennings, Slater is ready to give the competition all she has to defend that title. Eleven seasons under her belt (three as a troupe member) and the British beauty’s partnership with Jennings is without a doubt our favorite pairing ever. Freestyles are obviously always fun to watch, but Team Shadsquad’s routine was impressively a joint choreography collaboration and downright enjoyable. This finale dance showcases exactly what DWTS is about- taking someone with zero dance experience and turning them into a star out on the floor.

Gleb Savchenko: The Russian native previously participated on the Australian and U.K version of the show. Gearing up for his fourth season on DWTS, Savchenko’s Argentine Tango with country actress-turned-singer Jana Kramer during season 23 is still without a doubt the sexiest routine we have yet to witness. Equipped with stunning content, silky black bedsheets and a sopping ending that will leave you needing a cold shower, this dance couldn’t have been any more desirable. Here’s to hoping this hunk receives another strong, committed partner that will take him to the finale again.

Sharna Burgess: As a two-time runner-up on the Emmy award-winning series, Burgess is overdue to come out on top. From her years as a troupe member to pro, she has continuously blown us away with her breathtaking, inventive choreography. The redheaded Aussie’s contemporary performance with Backstreet Boy Nick Carter during season 21 was no exception. With his partner’s help, Carter was able fully let go and be 100% in the moment for this poetic masterpiece that executed superb storytelling. Even judge Carrie Ann Inaba was an emotional wreck.

Artem Chigvintsev: Chigvintsev is easily one of DWTS‘ most underrated professionals, often given partners that leave him creatively restricted once the competition gets down to business. However, the former Strictly Come Dancing star did impress tremendously in the ballroom during season 19, which was his debut as a pro. Actress Lea Thompson helped Chigvintsev receive a nearly-perfect score, as well as a sixth place finish (his highest yet). The couple’s contemporary piece never fails to leave us teary-eyed and steal our hearts, which was a tribute to Thompson’s late father.

Witney Carson: Initially rising to fame as a contestant on SYTYCD, it was only Carson’s second time as a pro when she earned her very first Mirrorball trophy alongside Fresh Prince star Alfonso Ribeiro back in season 19. The pair’s jazz routine was yet another rare, perfect score from only the fourth week of the competition. But, this came as no surprise considering the actor scored four 9s during week one. We knew the moment Ribeiro channeled his inner Carton that this dance would go on to be a fan-favorite. As the new season quickly approaches, it’s safe to say Carson is due for another zinger.

Keo Motsepe: With a history of having a short-lived presence as a pro each season, we are pulling for Motsepe to be paired with a celeb who has a competitiveness that will equally match his. The African prince hasn’t been given a strong contender since Fuller House‘s Jodie Sweetin. The couple’s jive was easily one of our top performances on the show, as Motsepe was able to push his partner to her fullest potential. Their dance was ridiculously smooth, clean and precise. It’s still hard to believe an elimination occurred the same evening the two rightfully topped the leaderboard.

Lindsay Arnold: If we learned anything from Arnold’s run with underdog David Ross last season, it’s that no matter who she has as a partner, the 23-year-old SYTYCD album always creates stellar choreography that suits them to a T. One of our favorite routines from her was the Halloween-themed quickstep with former NFL wide receiver Calvin Johnson. In this dance, the pair embraced their characters astonishingly well, providing a great deal of both content and entertainment. With three finals and a semifinal in just five seasons, Arnold is getting closer and closer to a well-deserved win.

Val Chmerkovskiy: The youngest Chmerkovskiy bro has become one of DWTS’ most popular pros, always bringing out the best in his partners. Take his season 23 victory with Laurie Hernandez. At just 16-years-old, the Olympian conveyed emotion and grace in the ballroom that was beyond her years, like this vulnerable foxtrot performance from the semifinals. Chmerkovskiy allowed Hernandez to mature over the competition, but still allowed her youth to shine. Needless to say, the duo was a match made in heaven. After a shocking third place finish this past spring, the two-time winner is after his third Mirrorball.

Peta Murgatroyd: After ten seasons as a pro on the series, this new mother will be taking her veteran status in the ballroom and using it to her advantage. Although, it’s going to be difficult for any partnership to compare to the one she shared with deaf model and actor Nyle DiMarco, who went on to win the entire competition during season 22. The duo impressed week after week, but it was their alluring Argentine Tango from the semifinals we just can’t forget. When DiMarco was blindfolded in the midst of the flawless performance, goosebumps immediately formed. Everywhere.

Maks Chmerkovskiy: Once again, there will be some friendly, fun family rivalry this season, as Chmerkovskiy competes against both his wife and brother. During his 16 seasons as a pro, he has made it to the final round five times, with two runner-up and two third-place finishes. The 37-year-old went all the way in 2014 with Meryl Davis. Their pairing was undisputedly one of the greatest and most consistent in DWTS history. And, we’re warning you now, tissues are most definitely required for the viewing of the duo’s freestyle.

Alan Bernsten: It’s about time Bernsten makes the leap from troupe member to professional! Although the 23-year-old SYTYCD finalist has yet to solely choreograph on his own in this position, he has done an excellent job filling in throughout the past few seasons when pros were physically unable to perform, from Maks to Gleb. But, what routine impressed us most was his steamy salsa with mixed martial artist Paige VanZant during season 22 after Ballas suffered a back injury. The duo had chemistry so perceptible, it’s hard to believe they only rehearsed together for a short two hours.

Dancing with the Stars returns to ABC on Monday, September 18 at 8PM EST.

Are there any specific dances you have in mind and want to add to this list? Which pro are you rooting to go all the way this season? Keep the conversation going in the comments below!

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