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Season guide

Dancing with the Stars: Season 13

20 episodes Premiered Sep 19, 2011 Updated Sep 25, 2026

Season thirteen of Dancing with the Stars premiered on September 19, 2011. Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli returned as the judges, and Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke Charvet returned as hosts. Twelve couples competed in this season. Starting this season, Alan Dedicoat, the announcer, introduces Harold Wheeler and his band after the introduction of the remaining competitors. Actor J.R. Martinez won the

Previously on Dancing with the Stars

Season 13 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 12.
  • ⚡ 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

Season thirteen of Dancing with the Stars premiered on September 19, 2011. Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli returned as the judges, and Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke Charvet returned as hosts. Twelve couples competed in this season. Starting this season, Alan Dedicoat, the announcer, introduces Harold Wheeler and his band after the introduction of the remaining competitors.

Actor J.R. Martinez won the competition with over 9 million votes. A first time in Dancing with the Stars history were the winner was millions ahead in votes by the runner up. J.R. Martinez won over reality TV star Rob Kardashian and actress Ricki Lake who took 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

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Season 13 Episodes

Episode Guide

🛡️ SPOILER SHIELD

Season 13 Progress Shield

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Binge Efficiency Engine

Season 13: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

15%
85%
Mytharc (3): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (17): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S13·E2 Core

Meet The Cast & Results Show: Week 1

Sep 20, 2011

Exciting moments from the contestants' first performances and their weeks of training. And the couple with the lowest score face elimination; Harry Connick Jr. performs; LMFAO per

S13·E3 Core

Performance Show: Week 2

Sep 26, 2011

It's all about the Jive and the Quickstep as the 11 remaining stars take to the stage to show us their latest dancing moves in a fast-paced Week 2

S13·E5 Core

Performance Show: Week 3

Oct 3, 2011

With Elizabeta & Val gone from the competition, Rob Kardashian & Cheryl, Kristin Cavallari & Mark , Chynna Phillips & Tony, Nancy Grace & Tristan, David Arquette & Kym, Hope Solo &

S13·E7 Core

Performance Show: Week 4

Oct 10, 2011

In a two night live event the couples will be dancing the Paso Doble, Tango or Foxtrott, except Carson and Anna, who will be dancing the Viennese Waltz to famous soundtracks of mov

S13·E8 Core

Results Show: Week 4

Oct 11, 2011

In the results show Julianne Hough is coming back to the dance floor prior to the premiere of her film Footloose to dance with her brother Derek.

S13·E9 Core

Performance Show: Week 5

Oct 17, 2011

It's the Eighties Week and the eight remaining couples will dance to hits from the eighties.

S13·E11 Core

Performance Show: Week 6

Oct 24, 2011

The celebrity dancers and their pro partners will dance to popular songs from great Broadway musicals. Additionally they will perform a group dance.

S13·E12 Core

Results Show: Week 6

Oct 25, 2011

Having combined the judges' votes with the viewers' votes another couple will be going home. Kristin Chenoweth and Martina McBride are the guest stars.

S13·E15 Core

Performance Show: Week 8

Nov 7, 2011

With David Arquette & Kym out of the running, the competition is down to their Final Five: Rob Kardashian & Cheryl, Nancy Grace & Tristan, Hope Solo & Maksim, J.R. Martinez & Karin

S13·E17 Core

Semi Finals: Week 9

Nov 14, 2011

In the Latin Dances the semi-finalists will dance either the Samba or the Paso Doble. Then it's time for the Argentine Tango with close embrace. Finally there will be a Cha Cha Cha

S13·E19 Mytharc

Final 3: Week 10

Nov 21, 2011

The three finalists J.R., Rob and Ricki and their Pro-Dancer Partners Karina, two-times champion Cheryl and three-times champion Derek will compete against each other in two dances

S13·E20 Mytharc

Season Finale

Nov 22, 2011

The three finalists will dance their favorite dance of the season once more. Then having combined the judges' scores with the viewers' votes two couples with the highest scores wil

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