Dancing With the Stars: A Look Back at the Explosive First Season and the Controversial Finale
Dancing With the Stars made a splash in its inaugural season back in 2005 with only six couples competing for the mirrorball trophy. The first season featured memorable pairings like Trista Sutter and Louis van Amstel, Evander Holyfield and Edyta Śliwińska, Rachel Hunter and Jonathan Roberts, and Joey McIntyre and Ashly DelGrosso. The finale saw a showdown between John O’Hurley and Charlotte Jørgensen against Kelly Monaco and Alec Mazo, with Monaco and Mazo ultimately taking home the title despite lower scores.
The debate over whether judges’ scores or fan votes hold more weight in determining the winner has been a hot topic among DWTS viewers. In a surprising twist, a rematch was set up between Monaco and O’Hurley, with O’Hurley emerging as the victor. The rematch raised over $120,000 for each couple’s chosen charities, adding to the drama of the season.
Reflecting on the show’s explosive first season, original host Tom Bergeron recalled the controversy surrounding the season 1 finale. Despite concerns over the ratings for the rematch, the show returned in 2006 with a full season and a new cast, solidifying its place in the TV landscape for years to come.
Monaco, the show’s first champion, almost turned down the opportunity to compete on DWTS due to skepticism from family and friends. Unfamiliar with ballroom dance, Monaco took a leap of faith and embraced the challenge, despite receiving harsh feedback from the judges early on. She and Mazo went on to win the season, much to the surprise of O’Hurley and others.
The competition was fierce each week, with Monaco constantly feeling the pressure of potential elimination. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Monaco’s dedication and improvement throughout the season ultimately led to her victory. The results of the dance-off between Monaco and O’Hurley may have been controversial, but for Monaco, the outcome remained unchanged.
Dancing With the Stars continues to captivate audiences with its dazzling performances and fierce competition. Fans can tune in to ABC and Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET to catch all the action, with new episodes streaming on Hulu the following day. Join the Bracketology DWTS fantasy league to test your DWTS knowledge and compete against other fans and Us editors for a chance to win prizes. Show off your DWTS fandom and join the league for free today!