# Dancing with the Stars: Juniors
**Dancing with the Stars: Juniors** is a dance competition series for children in the United States that first aired on ABC on October 7, 2018. A spin-off of *Dancing with the Stars*, it paired 12 celebrity kids with professional junior ballroom dancers to train and compete in choreographed ballroom routines, judged by a panel of experts.[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dancing_with_the_stars_juniors) • [2](https://www.bigkids.tv/a-z/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors) The show ran for a single season of nine episodes, from October 7 to December 9, 2018, and was canceled afterward.[3](https://www.epguides.com/DancingwiththeStarsJuniors/) • [2](https://www.bigkids.tv/a-z/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Network and run | ABC (US), October 7 to December 9, 2018, nine episodes[3](https://www.epguides.com/DancingwiththeStarsJuniors/) |
| Format | 12 celebrity kids paired with professional junior ballroom dancers, mentored by adult professional dancers[1](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dancing_with_the_stars_juniors) • [4](https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/dancing-with-the-stars-series-timeline/) |
| Hosts | Jordan Fisher (season 25 mirrorball winner) and Frankie Muniz (season 25 finalist)[5](https://www.bbcstudiospressroom.com/press/abc-announces-cast-celebrity-kids-upcoming-dancing-stars-juniors-live-dancing-stars-sunday-oct-7/) |
| Judges | Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Adam Rippon, and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mandy Moore[5](https://www.bbcstudiospressroom.com/press/abc-announces-cast-celebrity-kids-upcoming-dancing-stars-juniors-live-dancing-stars-sunday-oct-7/) |
| Voting | Eliminations based 50% on judges' scores and 50% on studio audience voting; no at-home voting[2](https://www.bigkids.tv/a-z/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors) |
| Season 1 winners | Sky Brown (celebrity) and JT Church (professional)[6](https://dancingwiththestars.fandom.com/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars%3A_Juniors) |
| Age limit | Contestants were all 14 and under[7](https://www.tvinsider.com/721714/differences-similarities-dancing-with-the-stars-dwts-juniors/) |
## Format
The show followed the structure of its parent series with a junior cast. Celebrity children, either famous in their own right or through celebrity parentage, were paired with professional junior ballroom dancers and mentored by an adult professional dancer from *Dancing with the Stars*.[2](https://www.bigkids.tv/a-z/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors) • [4](https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/dancing-with-the-stars-series-timeline/) Each week the couples performed a dance in a different ballroom discipline, including foxtrot, salsa, and jive, and the team with the lowest combined total of judges' scores and studio audience votes was eliminated.[8](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors) • [2](https://www.bigkids.tv/a-z/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors)
Unlike the parent series, only studio audience members who were not family members could vote during each week's episode; there was no at-home voting.[2](https://www.bigkids.tv/a-z/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors) The show was prerecorded and aired weekly, rather than broadcast live.[6](https://dancingwiththestars.fandom.com/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars%3A_Juniors) Executive producer Andrew Llinares, who worked on both shows, described them as "great shows in slightly different ways," and the junior version shared theme nights with the adult series.[7](https://www.tvinsider.com/721714/differences-similarities-dancing-with-the-stars-dwts-juniors/)
## Cast and personnel
The celebrity contestants came from a range of backgrounds: fame by association, such as Sophia Pippen, daughter of NBA player [Scottie Pippen](https://www.edgepedia.org/scottie-pippen); reality television notoriety, such as Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson; and child actors, such as [Miles Brown](https://www.edgepedia.org/miles-brown-actor) of *black-ish* and Disney actor Jason Maybaum.[8](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors) • [4](https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/dancing-with-the-stars-series-timeline/) Other cast members included spelling bee champion Akash Vukoti, *Dance Moms* star [Mackenzie Ziegler](https://www.edgepedia.org/mackenzie-ziegler), and Addison Osta Smith, the youngest contestant ever to win *MasterChef Junior* at age 10.[7](https://www.tvinsider.com/721714/differences-similarities-dancing-with-the-stars-dwts-juniors/) • [9](https://www.tvweek.com/in-depth/2018/09/abc-announces-the-cast-of-celebrity-kids-for-upcoming-dancing-with-the-stars-juniors-premiering-sunday-oct-7/)
The junior professional dancers and adult mentors were revealed on August 1, 2018, and the junior celebrities were announced on September 25, 2018, during the second episode of *Dancing with the Stars* season 27.[2](https://www.bigkids.tv/a-z/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors) The judging panel combined two-time DWTS professional champion [Valentin Chmerkovskiy](https://www.edgepedia.org/valentin-chmerkovskiy), *Dancing with the Stars: Athletes* celebrity champion [Adam Rippon](https://www.edgepedia.org/adam-rippon), and Emmy Award-winning choreographer [Mandy Moore](https://www.edgepedia.org/mandy-moore).[6](https://dancingwiththestars.fandom.com/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars%3A_Juniors) A dance troupe of five young dancers, mentored by DWTS troupe member Morgan Larson, also appeared.[2](https://www.bigkids.tv/a-z/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors)
## Season 1
The season opened with a two-hour premiere on Sunday, October 7, 2018, in which each couple performed a cha cha, salsa, foxtrot, or jive and two teams were eliminated.[10](https://abc.com/news/346e9534-dc21-4ca0-a082-687b1b711d48/category/1138628) • [11](https://www.thetvdb.com/series/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors/allseasons/official) Subsequent theme weeks included "Song from the Year I Was Born" (October 14), Disney Night (October 21), Halloween Night (October 28), Juniors Choice (November 11), Giving Thanks (November 18), Time Machine (November 25), and the Semi-finals (December 2).[11](https://www.thetvdb.com/series/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors/allseasons/official)
In the semifinals, the judges announced that no one would be sent home and all four remaining couples would compete in the finale.[12](https://www.tvline.com/news/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors-sky-brown-wins-season-1-finale-recap-1009942/) The four finalists were Mackenzie Ziegler with Sage Rosen, Ariana Greenblatt with Artyon Celestine, Miles Brown with [Rylee Arnold](https://www.edgepedia.org/rylee-arnold), and [Sky Brown](https://www.edgepedia.org/sky-brown) with JT Church.[12](https://www.tvline.com/news/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors-sky-brown-wins-season-1-finale-recap-1009942/) In the December 9 finale, each duo reprised a routine from earlier in the season with their pro mentors added, plus a holiday-themed freestyle. Sky Brown and JT Church scored 30/30 on both their salsa and freestyle, the only couple with a perfect night, and won the Mirror Star trophy.[12](https://www.tvline.com/news/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors-sky-brown-wins-season-1-finale-recap-1009942/)
## Reception and cancellation
Common Sense Media reviewer Emily Ashby rated the show 4 out of 5, calling it a "genuinely enjoyable watch" with an enthusiastic young cast, and noted that contestants threw themselves into training and performing regardless of their incoming skill level.[8](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors) On Rotten Tomatoes, season 1 held an 86% Popcornmeter audience score from fewer than 50 ratings, with a Tomatometer based on a single professional review.[13](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dancing_with_the_stars_juniors/s01)
The series was canceled after one season; ABC canceled it in September 2019.[2](https://www.bigkids.tv/a-z/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors) Several participants later returned to the franchise: Rylee Arnold became a professional dancer on season 32 of *Dancing with the Stars*, and Hailey Bills joined the troupe on season 34 before being promoted to the professional cast for season 35.[2](https://www.bigkids.tv/a-z/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors)
## References
1. [Dancing With the Stars: Juniors, Rotten Tomatoes series page](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dancing_with_the_stars_juniors)
2. [Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Big Kids TV](https://www.bigkids.tv/a-z/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors)
3. [Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, a Titles & Air Dates Guide, epguides.com](https://www.epguides.com/DancingwiththeStarsJuniors/)
4. [Dancing With the Stars: A Comprehensive Timeline Celebrating 20 Years of Competition, TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/dancing-with-the-stars-series-timeline/)
5. [ABC Announces the Cast of Celebrity Kids for the Upcoming 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors', BBC Studios Pressroom](https://www.bbcstudiospressroom.com/press/abc-announces-cast-celebrity-kids-upcoming-dancing-stars-juniors-live-dancing-stars-sunday-oct-7/)
6. [Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Dancing with the Stars Wiki (Fandom)](https://dancingwiththestars.fandom.com/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars%3A_Juniors)
7. [Dance Floor Face-Off! 'DWTS' vs. 'DWTS: Juniors', TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/721714/differences-similarities-dancing-with-the-stars-dwts-juniors/)
8. [Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Parents' Guide & TV Review, Common Sense Media](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors)
9. [ABC Announces the Cast of Celebrity Kids for Upcoming 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors', TVWeek](https://www.tvweek.com/in-depth/2018/09/abc-announces-the-cast-of-celebrity-kids-for-upcoming-dancing-with-the-stars-juniors-premiering-sunday-oct-7/)
10. [ABC Fall 2018 Premieres: See the Complete Schedule, ABC](https://abc.com/news/346e9534-dc21-4ca0-a082-687b1b711d48/category/1138628)
11. [Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, Aired Order, TheTVDB.com](https://www.thetvdb.com/series/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors/allseasons/official)
12. ['Dancing With The Stars: Juniors': [Spoiler] Wins In Season 1 Finale, TVLine](https://www.tvline.com/news/dancing-with-the-stars-juniors-sky-brown-wins-season-1-finale-recap-1009942/)
13. [Season 1 – Dancing With the Stars: Juniors, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dancing_with_the_stars_juniors/s01)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Unscripted, reality, and web-native series › Reality and competition franchise editions › Dancing with the Stars and dance-competition franchises*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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