Dancing with the Stars Season 27, which aired in the fall of 2018, concluded with radio personality Bobby Bones and professional partner Sharna Burgess winning the Mirrorball Trophy. The season featured judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli, and is historically significant for its highly controversial finale and subsequent voting rule changes.
Overview of the 2018 Dancing with the Stars Season
The 27th season of the long-running ABC reality competition, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), premiered on September 24, 2018. As we look back from 2026, this particular season remains one of the most discussed installments in the franchise’s history. It was a season defined by a stark divide between technical dance ability and fan popularity, leading to results that shocked both the live audience and viewers at home.
The production maintained its classic format, hosted by Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews. The season ran for nine weeks, culminating in a two-night finale in November 2018. Unlike previous years that may have had a clear frontrunner from the start, Season 27 was a rollercoaster of high scores for some and immense public support for others, setting the stage for a finale that would change the way the show approached scoring and eliminations in later years.
The Full Season 27 Cast and Pairings
The 2018 roster was a diverse mix of athletes, actors, reality TV stars, and musicians. Each celebrity was paired with a professional dancer who acted as their coach, choreographer, and partner throughout the competition.
The Final Four Finalists
- Bobby Bones & Sharna Burgess: The eventual winners. Bobby Bones is a nationally syndicated radio host known for The Bobby Bones Show. Sharna Burgess, a fan-favorite pro, finally secured her first win after years of coming close.
- Milo Manheim & Witney Carson: The runners-up. Manheim, known for the Disney Channel movie Zombies, was the youngest contestant of the season and showed immense technical growth.
- Evanna Lynch & Keo Motsepe: Finishing in third place, Lynch, famous for her role as Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series, provided some of the most emotional performances of the season.
- Alexis Ren & Alan Bersten: The fourth-place finishers. Ren, a model and social media influencer, was frequently praised for her lines and flexibility.
Other Notable Contestants
The season also featured several contestants who, while not reaching the finale, left a significant mark on the competition. This included Juan Pablo Di Pace, an actor from Fuller House, who was widely considered the best technical dancer of the season, and Tinashe, a pop star whose early exit remains one of the show's biggest "shocks."
| Celebrity Contestant | Professional Partner | Final Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Bobby Bones | Sharna Burgess | Winners |
| Milo Manheim | Witney Carson | Runners-Up |
| Evanna Lynch | Keo Motsepe | Third Place |
| Alexis Ren | Alan Bersten | Fourth Place |
| Juan Pablo Di Pace | Cheryl Burke | 5th (Eliminated Week 8) |
| Joe Amabile | Jenna Johnson | 6th (Eliminated Week 8) |
| DeMarcus Ware | Lindsay Arnold | 7th (Eliminated Week 7) |
| John Schneider | Emma Slater | 8th (Eliminated Week 7) |
| Mary Lou Retton | Sasha Farber | 9th (Eliminated Week 6) |
| Tinashe | Brandon Armstrong | 10th (Eliminated Week 4) |
| Nancy McKeon | Val Chmerkovskiy | 11th (Eliminated Week 3) |
| Danelle Umstead | Artem Chigvintsev | 12th (Eliminated Week 2) |
| Nikki Glaser | Gleb Savchenko | 13th (Eliminated Week 1) |
The Judging Panel and Hosts
Season 27 saw the return of the "Big Three" judges who had been the backbone of the series since its inception. Their role in 2018 was particularly difficult as they struggled to balance the technical requirements of ballroom dance with the undeniable charisma of the less-technical performers.
Len Goodman
The late Len Goodman served as the Head Judge. In 2018, his critiques remained focused on traditional ballroom technique. He often clashed with the more contemporary or "flashboard" style of choreography, demanding "proper hold" and "recognizable footwork." His presence provided the necessary gravitas to the panel, ensuring that the "ballroom" in Dancing with the Stars was not entirely lost to spectacle.
Carrie Ann Inaba
Carrie Ann Inaba continued her role as the "lift police," strictly enforcing the rule against lifts in standard ballroom dances (like the Waltz or Tango). Her critiques were often more focused on the emotional connection and the "story" behind the dance, which frequently put her at odds with the more technical evaluations of her colleagues.
Bruno Tonioli
Known for his exuberant and theatrical delivery, Bruno Tonioli focused on the performance aspect. In Season 27, he was often the judge most likely to award high scores for energy and showmanship, even when technical flaws were present.
Hosts: Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews
The chemistry between Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews was at its peak during 2018. Bergeron’s quick wit and ability to handle live TV mishaps provided a sense of stability, while Andrews’ background in sports reporting allowed her to conduct insightful post-dance interviews on the "Skybox" balcony.
The Winning Journey: Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess
The victory of Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess is perhaps the most debated outcome in the history of the show. Entering the finale, Bones had the lowest average score among the four finalists. However, his massive radio following and high-energy persona created a "voting juggernaut" that the judges' scores could not overcome.
The "People’s Champion" Narrative
Bobby Bones leaned into his role as the underdog. He frequently acknowledged his lack of natural dance talent, instead emphasizing his work ethic and his appreciation for the fans. This resonated with a large segment of the audience who felt that the show should be about the "journey" rather than professional-level skill.
Sharna Burgess's Long-Awaited Win
For many viewers, the win was a "lifetime achievement award" for Sharna Burgess. Having been a pro on the show since Season 16, she had come close to winning multiple times (notably with Nick Carter and James Hinchcliffe). Her choreography for Bones was clever, often masking his technical deficiencies with "crowd-pleasing" movements and high-energy sequences.
Shocking Eliminations and the "Snub" of the Season
Season 27 is infamous for the double elimination that occurred during the semi-finals (Week 8). Two contestants who were consistently at the top of the leaderboard—Juan Pablo Di Pace and Joe "Grocery Store Joe" Amabile—were sent home in the same night.
The Juan Pablo Di Pace Controversy
Juan Pablo Di Pace and his partner Cheryl Burke had earned several perfect scores (30/30) throughout the season. Their elimination was met with literal boos from the studio audience and a stunned silence from the judges. Len Goodman went on record saying it was one of the most disappointing eliminations he had ever witnessed. This event highlighted a growing concern that the show's voting system was broken, as the best dancers were being ousted by those with larger social media or fan bases regardless of their performance on the floor.
The Tinashe Exit
Earlier in the season, pop star Tinashe was eliminated despite having the highest scores of the night. This served as an early warning sign that Season 27 was being governed by a "popularity contest" metric that outweighed the judges' leaderboard.
Key Themes and Special Nights
Several themed weeks defined the 2018 season, providing some of the most memorable performances:
- Disney Night: A perennial favorite, this night saw Milo Manheim perform a "Incredibles" themed routine that solidified his status as a contender.
- Halloween Night: This week featured dark, theatrical numbers, including a memorable contemporary routine by Evanna Lynch that showcased her range.
- Country Night: Given Bobby Bones’ background in country radio, this night was a significant boost for him, allowing him to perform to music that resonated with his core audience.
- The Finale Freestyle: The freestyle round is where the competition is often won or lost. Bobby Bones’ freestyle was a high-energy, chaotic celebration that broke several traditional rules but ignited the audience, whereas Milo Manheim’s was a polished, professional-level display of modern dance.
The Aftermath and Rule Changes
The 2018 season led to significant soul-searching for the production team at ABC. The "Bobby Bones win" caused a backlash among "dance purists" who felt the Mirrorball Trophy should only go to the best dancer.
As a direct result of the Season 27 outcome, the show took a hiatus in the spring of 2019 (skipping a season) to retool. When it returned for Season 28, the voting system was overhauled to include a "Judges' Save." This new rule gave the judges the power to choose which of the bottom two couples would stay and which would go, a measure specifically designed to prevent the early elimination of high-scoring contestants like Juan Pablo Di Pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won DWTS Season 27 in 2018?
Bobby Bones and his professional partner Sharna Burgess won Season 27. Their win was considered an upset, as they beat out higher-scoring finalists like Milo Manheim and Evanna Lynch. This was the first win for pro Sharna Burgess.
Why was the 2018 DWTS finale so controversial?
The controversy stemmed from the fact that Bobby Bones had significantly lower scores from the judges compared to the other three finalists. His win proved that the fan vote could entirely override the judges' technical evaluations, leading many to question the fairness of the competition.
Who were the judges for the 2018 season?
The judging panel consisted of Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli. This was the classic trio that had served for the majority of the show's run. They were frequently vocal about their surprise regarding the fan-driven eliminations throughout the season.
Which contestants received the most perfect scores in Season 27?
Juan Pablo Di Pace and Milo Manheim received the most perfect scores. Juan Pablo, in particular, was a favorite of the judges, earning multiple 10s for his Samba, Argentine Tango, and Viennese Waltz.
What happened to the show after the 2018 season ended?
The show underwent a brief hiatus. Because of the fan reaction to Bobby Bones' win and the shock elimination of Juan Pablo Di Pace, producers implemented the "Judges' Save" rule in 2019 to ensure that technical skill had more weight in determining who stayed in the competition.
Is Season 27 available to watch now in 2026?
Most seasons of Dancing with the Stars, including Season 27, are available through various streaming archives or on Disney+, which became the primary home for the series in later years. Specific clips and individual performances are also widely available on official social media channels.
Summary of the 2018 Legacy
Looking back from 2026, Season 27 is viewed as the "tipping point" for Dancing with the Stars. It remains a fascinating study of how reality television audiences can disrupt a traditional competition format. While Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess are the official titleholders, the season is equally remembered for the exceptional talent of Milo Manheim, Evanna Lynch, and Juan Pablo Di Pace.
The season served as a reminder that the show's primary appeal lies in the intersection of professional skill and amateur growth. However, it also proved that without a balance in the voting system, the "ballroom" aspect of the show was at risk of being overshadowed by the "star" power of the contestants. The legacy of 2018 is found in the refined rules that followed, ensuring that while the fans still have a voice, the judges' expert opinions carry the weight necessary to protect the integrity of the dance competition.
For those interested in the history of reality television or the evolution of ballroom dance in popular culture, Season 27 stands as a mandatory chapter to review. It is a season of high emotion, incredible choreography, and a result that changed a TV institution forever.
