Kellie Pickler and her professional partner Derek Hough won Season 16 of Dancing with the Stars in 2013, defeating runner-up Zendaya and partner Val Chmerkovskiy in a closely watched finale. Airing on ABC, this milestone season introduced new competition rules, featured an eclectic roster of celebrities ranging from athletes to pop stars, and cemented its place as a high-water mark for the long-running reality dance competition series.
Introduction to Dancing with the Stars Season 16
In the spring of 2013, America's television screens lit up once again with the glitz, glamour, and grueling athletic competition of ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Season 16 debuted on March 18, 2013, bringing a fresh batch of celebrities into the ballroom to learn the intricacies of the waltz, salsa, tango, and jive. Over the course of ten weeks, viewers witnessed dramatic transformations, intense rivalries, and the emotional high points that define the reality television genre.
As one of the most stable and popular installments in the show’s multi-decade run, the sixteenth season captured a unique cultural moment in television history. Social media integration was becoming more pronounced, the talent pool was exceptionally competitive, and the professional choreography pushed the boundaries of what non-dancers could achieve on national television. Understanding the anatomy of this specific season requires exploring the cast lineup, the competitive mechanics, the ultimate victor, and the key facts that left a lasting impression on fans and television critics alike.
The Complete Cast Lineup and Professional Partners
Season 16 assembled a diverse group of 11 celebrity contestants, pairing them with some of the franchise's most talented and recognizable professional dancers. The roster blended athletic prowess from the worlds of boxing, football, and the Olympics with mainstream pop culture icons, Disney Channel stars, and reality television staples.
Each pair entered the ballroom with varying levels of natural rhythm, but all faced the same rigorous training schedule. The initial pairing lineup set the stage for intense competition from week one:
- Kellie Pickler (Country Music Singer) and Derek Hough
- Zendaya (Disney Channel Star and Singer) and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
- Ansel Elgort — Correction: Jacoby Jones (Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver) and Karina Smirnoff
- Alexandra Raisman (Olympic Gymnast) and Mark Ballas
- In Living Color Alum — Correction: Ingo Rademacher (General Hospital Actor) and Kym Johnson
- Victor Ortiz (Professional Boxer) and Lindsay Arnold
- D.L. Hughley (Comedian and Actor) and Cheryl Burke
- Wynonna Judd (Country Music Legend) and Tony Dovolani
- Dorothy Hamill (Olympic Figure Skating Legend) and Tristan MacManus
- Andy Dick (Comedian and Actor) and Sharna Burgess
- Sean Lowe (The Bachelor Star) and Peta Murgatroyd
This lineup created an immediate dynamic where youth and raw athleticism, embodied by figures like Zendaya and Aly Raisman, clashed with the seasoned fan bases and hard work ethics of performers like Kellie Pickler and Jacoby Jones.
The Winner and Final Standings
The competition culminated in a two-part finale on May 20 and 21, 2013. The final three couples standing were country singer Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough, Disney star Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy, and NFL player Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff. Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman and Mark Ballas narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fourth place.
When host Tom Bergeron announced the results, Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough were crowned the champions of Season 16, taking home the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
Why Kellie Pickler Won
Pickler’s victory was built on a combination of technical progression, emotional vulnerability, and an immensely dedicated fan base. Throughout the season, she earned high praise from the judging panel—consisting of Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli—for her fearless approach to complex choreography. Her partnership with Derek Hough, who secured his fourth Mirrorball win with this victory, proved to be an unstoppable creative force. Hough's innovative routines often pushed thematic boundaries, and Pickler executed them with precision and theatrical flair.
The Runner-Up Position
Zendaya, who was only 16 years old at the time, delivered consistently breathtaking performances that frequently topped the leaderboard. Alongside Val Chmerkovskiy, she earned multiple perfect scores of 30 throughout the season. Her defeat in the finale came as a shock to many viewers who expected her dominant technical scores to translate into the winning title, highlighting the vital role that home viewer voting plays alongside judge scores in the show's final outcome.
Key Facts and Unique Season Highlights
Season 16 stood out for several operational changes, historical milestones, and memorable broadcast moments that separated it from preceding and succeeding seasons.
- The Trio Week Innovation: Season 16 introduced a format twist where remaining couples were required to integrate a third person—often a previously eliminated pro or an all-star—into their routines for a specific week, raising the stakes and the complexity of the choreography.
- Len Goodman's Absence: Due to scheduling conflicts with the British series Strictly Come Dancing, head judge Len Goodman missed several episodes mid-season, leaving the judges' desk temporarily configured with guest judges or just Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.
- The Voting Drama: The discrepancy between the judges' leaderboard and America's actual vote became a major talking point. Zendaya dominated the numerical scores across the season, yet Kellie Pickler captured the crown, proving that audience connection often outweighs raw technical perfection.
- Derek Hough's Milestone: This victory marked Derek Hough’s fourth win on the show, cementing his status as one of the most prolific and successful professional dancers in Dancing with the Stars history.
- Musical Guests: The live results shows featured high-profile musical performances characteristic of the era, including sets by artists like Pitbull, Demi Lovato, and Psy, reflecting the pop-cultural pulse of 2013.
Season 16 Placement and Scoring Summary
To understand how the season progressed, it is helpful to examine the final finishing order alongside the professional pairings and notable elimination milestones.
| Celebrity Contestant | Profession / Claim to Fame | Professional Partner | Final Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kellie Pickler | Country Music Singer | Derek Hough | Winner (1st) |
| Zendaya | Actress and Singer | Valentin Chmerkovskiy | Runner-Up (2nd) |
| Jacoby Jones | NFL Wide Receiver | Karina Smirnoff | Third Place (3rd) |
| Aly Raisman | Olympic Gymnast | Mark Ballas | Fourth Place |
| Ingo Rademacher | Television Actor | Kym Johnson | Fifth Place |
| Andy Dick | Comedian and Actor | Sharna Burgess | Sixth Place |
| Victor Ortiz | Professional Boxer | Lindsay Arnold | Seventh Place |
| D.L. Hughley | Comedian and Radio Host | Cheryl Burke | Eighth Place |
| Wynonna Judd | Country Music Icon | Tony Dovolani | Ninth Place |
| Dorothy Hamill | Olympic Figure Skater | Tristan MacManus | Withdrew (Injury) |
| Sean Lowe | Reality Television Star | Peta Murgatroyd | Tenth Place |
Common Misconceptions About Season 16
With more than a decade passing since its broadcast, several myths and misconceptions tend to circulate online regarding Season 16. Clarifying these points ensures historical accuracy for fans revisiting the season.
- Misconception: Zendaya won the judges' scores and therefore the trophy. While Zendaya achieved the highest cumulative average of judges' scores across the season and secured the most individual perfect 30s, the winner is determined by a combination of judges' scores and public text/online votes weighted equally during the finale. Kellie Pickler's strong fan base propelled her past Zendaya in the final tally.
- Misconception: Dorothy Hamill was voted off. Unlike standard eliminations based on poor scores or low fan votes, legendary figure skater Dorothy Hamill was forced to withdraw from the competition in Week 2 due to a severe spinal injury diagnosed by medical professionals on the show.
- Misconception: This was the first season to feature athletes. While sports stars have always been a staple of the franchise, Season 16 was notable for having a high concentration of elite athletes, including a boxer, a gymnast, a figure skater, and a football player, leading to high physical demands across the board.
Practical Takeaways for Fans and Researchers
For television historians, pop culture researchers, and nostalgic fans looking back at 2013 reality television, Season 16 serves as a fascinating case study in reality competition dynamics.
- Examine Full Context: When evaluating reality show outcomes from this era, remember that social media campaigning played a massive role, and traditional television viewing habits were shifting rapidly toward digital engagement and live-tweeting.
- Verify Source Material: Official ABC archives and reputable entertainment databases like IMDb or TV Guide provide the exact weekly score breakdowns for those wishing to analyze the mathematical gap between the finalists.
- Appreciate the Choreography: Watching the preserved routines on official digital platforms reveals how ballroom and Latin choreography standards have evolved over the decades, highlighting the innovative contributions of pros like Derek Hough, Val Chmerkovskiy, and Karina Smirnoff during this specific era.
Season 16 remains a beloved chapter in the Dancing with the Stars anthology, remembered fondly for its fierce competition, emotional breakthroughs, and Kellie Pickler's unforgettable journey to the Mirrorball Trophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Dancing with the Stars Season 16 in 2013?
Country music singer Kellie Pickler and her professional partner Derek Hough won Season 16 of Dancing with the Stars in May 2013, defeating runner-up Zendaya in the final round of competition.
Who finished as the runner-up to Kellie Pickler?
Disney star, singer, and dancer Zendaya finished as the runner-up alongside her professional partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy. Despite consistently earning the highest marks from the judges, she took second place based on combined viewer and judge voting.
Why did Dorothy Hamill leave the show early?
Olympic figure skating gold medalist Dorothy Hamill was forced to withdraw from the competition during the second week of the season due to a serious spinal injury, acting on direct advice from medical staff to prevent permanent damage.
How many wins did Derek Hough have after Season 16?
Kellie Pickler's victory marked Derek Hough's fourth win as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, cementing his record-breaking tenure within the reality television franchise.
What was unique about the format of Season 16?
Season 16 introduced the "Trio Week" challenge, forcing remaining celebrity couples to incorporate a third dancer—often a former pro or all-star—into their weekly routines, significantly increasing the physical and logistical demands of the choreography.
