Where are the celebrities from season 1 now

By John Smith On May 22, 2022

Dancing with the stars is just months away from returning for its 31st season, more than 15 years after the series debuted. The show’s format has remained virtually the same during this time, although rating changes and the ways fans can vote have changed over the years. When DWTS returns, it will feature the second biggest change in its history. After two seasons of hosting Tyra Banks, the show is moving from ABC to Disney+, becoming the first American reality show to air exclusively live.

DWTS is the American version of the long-running British show Come dance strictly, which introduced the format of celebrities paired with professional dancers. Throughout the season, fans follow the stars as they learn to tackle an art form they’re usually unfamiliar with as they compete for the coveted mirror ball trophy. . Fifteen years after the broadcast of this modest first season, DWTS became a major franchise for ABC, featuring dance cardio DVDs, books, short-lived spinoffs, a game, and a successful tour featuring the professional dancers and a few celebrities.

Although the first season only featured six contestants, the lineup was a sample of the kind of celebrity fans expect on the show. There was a Bachelor franchise star, beloved comic book actor, model, accomplished athlete, boy band member, and soap opera star. The season ran for six weeks from June 1 to July 6, 2005. Scroll down to see what the contestants are up to today.

Trista Sutter and Louis Van Amstel

(Photo: Presley Ann/Getty Images for WE tv)

The single person franchise was part of DWTS since the first day. Trista Sutter, finalist of the first season of The single person and the first Bachelorette star, also helped usher in a third ABC show by appearing on DWTS. She must be a lucky charm because all three shows are still airing. Unfortunately, Sutter was the first contestant eliminated. Surprisingly, while many single relationships didn’t last, Sutter is still married to Ryan Sutter. They have two children. Sutter’s dance partner was Louis Van Amstel, who appeared in 10 DWTS seasons, most recently in 2015 when he danced with Paula Deen.

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Evander Holyfield and Edyta Sliwińska

Boxing legend Evander Holyfield was easily the biggest star of the first season. Holyfield retired permanently from boxing in 2012 at age 50. After DWTShe appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2014 and participated in the Argentinian dance show Bailando for a Sueno in 2016. Holyfield’s dance partner was Edyta Śliwińska, who was last seen DWTS in season 22 when she danced with Geraldo Rivera.

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Rachel Hunter and Jonathan Roberts

(Photo: Araya Diaz/Getty Images for Ovation)

Model Rachel Hunter became the first in a long line of models to appear on the show. She has appeared on several other reality shows since, including RuPaul’s Drag Race and Hollywood medium. In 2012 and 2013, she was a judge on New Zealand has talent. She also starred in Rachel Hunter’s Beauty Trick for TV One, the public broadcaster in his native New Zealand. Her dance partner was Jonathan Roberts, who appeared in just seven DWTS seasons, making his final appearance in Season 9 as Macy Gray’s partner.

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Joey McIntyre and Ashly Costa

Season 29 featured Backstreet Boys frontman AJ McLean, who will be the latest in a long line of boy bands to appear on the show. Back in Season 1, ABC brought in New Kids on the Block singer Joey McIntyre. He continues to perform with the group and was one of the stars of the 2006 DWTS to visit. In 2019, McIntryre appeared on Broadway in Waitress. McIntyre’s dance partner was Ashly Costa, who appeared in the top three DWTS seasons. She returned for Season 10, when she was paired with Buzz Aldrin, but hasn’t returned since.

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John O’Hurley and Charlotte Jorgensen

(Photo: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for Nightclub & Bar Media Group)

John O’Hurley is a beloved actor known for playing J. Peterman on Seinfeld and for accommodation family quarrel and Tell the truth. O’Hurley continues to act on television and voice cartoon characters. Her dance partner was Charlotte Jørgensen, who never returned for another DWTS season.

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Kelly Monaco and Alec Mazo

Kelly Monaco is still seen on television almost every day. She plays Sam McCall on ABC general hospital and previously played as a different character in the spin-off Port Charles. Monaco was paired with Alec Mazo, who took part in five DWTS seasons. His last season was season 9 when he danced with Natalie Coughlin.

Monaco and Mazo won the first season, but it was not without voting controversy. Fans thought Monaco’s victory was predetermined, so ABC aired a “grudge match” follow-up episode in September 2005, where Monaco and Mazo faced O’Hurley and Jørgensen. O’Hurley won the special episode and the proceeds were donated to Golfers Against Cancer. Monaco then returned to DWTS to participate in the first All-Stars season in 2012.