Dancing with the Stars: Season 12
Dancing with the Stars returned for its twelfth season on March 21, 2011. Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman returned to the show as judges, while Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke returned as hosts. Professional football player Hines Ward won the competition over actress Kirstie Alley and Disney star Chelsea Kane, who took second and third, respectively.
Season 12 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Dancing with the Stars Season 11.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
Dancing with the Stars returned for its twelfth season on March 21, 2011. Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman returned to the show as judges, while Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke returned as hosts.
Professional football player Hines Ward won the competition over actress Kirstie Alley and Disney star Chelsea Kane, who took second and third, respectively.
Episode Guide
Season 12 Progress Shield
Week 1 - Season Premiere
Mar 21, 2011
Eleven celebrity stars of season 12 are showcased. In the two hour premiere the celebrity stars and their pro dancer partners will perform either the Foxtrot or the Cha Cha Cha.
Week 2 - Performances
Mar 28, 2011
In the second week the couples will dance either the Quickstep or the Jive. Pairs, who have performed a Ballroom Dance last week will perform Latin and vice versa.
Week 2 - Eliminations
Mar 29, 2011
The judge's results from yesterday and last week will be joined with the public voting. The couple with the lowest combined total will be eliminated. Chris Brown is the guest perfo
Week 3 - Performances
Apr 4, 2011
Five pairs will be dancing the Rumba, the others will dance Cha Cha Cha, Paso Doble, Waltz, Samba and the Foxtrot. It's personal story telling night and the celebrities have to tel
Week 3 - Eliminations
Apr 5, 2011
The judge's results from yesterday will be joined with the public voting. The couple with the lowest combined total will be eliminated. Selena Gomez and One Republic are the guest
Week 4 - Performances
Apr 11, 2011
In the fourth week of the competition the celebrities and their pro-dancer partners will dance the Paso Doble, the Waltz or the Viennese Waltz.
Week 4 - Eliminations
Apr 12, 2011
Jennifer Hudson and David Garrett are the guest stars tonight. The couple with the lowest combined votes of the judges and public voting will be eliminated.
Week 5 - Performances
Apr 18, 2011
In honour of Patriot's Day the couples will be dancing to all American songs. American week dances include Quickstep, Foxtrot, Samba, Rumba and Viennese Waltz.
Week 5 - Eliminations
Apr 19, 2011
The fifth-round results show. Also: Toby Keith performs two songs, and Jamal Sims choreographs a dance number.
Week 6 - Performances
Apr 25, 2011
Seven couples left to indulge themselves in "Guilty Pleasure Week". Dances this week are Samba, Paso Doble, Quickstep, Tango and Viennese Waltz.
Week 6 - Eliminations
Apr 26, 2011
Having combined the judge's scores with the viewers' votes another couple will be leaving. Guest stars this week are New Kids on the Block & Backstreet Boys and Pia Toscano.
Week 7 - Performances
May 2, 2011
The remaining six couples will be dancing an unlearned dance featuring Jive, Paso Doble, Quickstep, Samba and Tango. Then they will be participating at the Cha Cha Cha Challenge.
Week 7 - Eliminations
May 3, 2011
The sixth celebrity is eliminated.Team Chelsea perform a great encore dance.Along with performances from James Blunt and a rousing tribute to James Brown from Wayne Brady.
Week 8 - Performances
May 9, 2011
Five couples are left. First they will showcase an unlearned ballroom dance, then they will have to instantly choreograph and perform a latin dance.
Week 8 - Eliminations
May 10, 2011
In the results night before the semi-finals Adele and Michael Bolton are performing. Having combined the judge's scores with the viewer's votes only four teams will proceed.
Week 9 - Performances
May 16, 2011
In the semi-finals Chelsea, Kirstie, Ralph, Hines and their pro partners, will dance one unlearned ballroom and one unlearned latin dance to finally participate in the Cha Cha Cha
Week 9 - Eliminations
May 17, 2011
It's crunch time as we head into the Results Show that will determine which three couples will be dancing in the finals. Right out of the gate, Hines & Kym learn they are safe. No
Week 10 - Final 3
May 23, 2011
The three finalists Chelsea, Hines and Kirstie and their Pro-Dancer partners will be competing for the mirror ball trophy. The finalists will dance a redemption dance picked by the
Week 10 - Season Finale
May 24, 2011
Chelsea, Hines and Kirstie will dance for the last time, to earn more judge's scores. Black Eyed Peas are the special guest stars of the Season 12 Finale. Other guests are Sara Eva