From Cosmopolitan · Corinne Sullivan · · 2m
Every 'Dancing With the Stars' dance style, ranked
From contemporary to quickstep, here's what makes each ballroom style unique and which ones will make you dizzy.
In brief
From contemporary to quickstep, here's what makes each ballroom style unique and which ones will make you dizzy. Quickstep is the hardest ballroom style to master overall, while contemporary and jazz are the most beginner-friendly. Originally reported by Cosmopolitan.
Contemporary and jazz aren't ballroom
Contemporary, introduced in season 16, lets dancers focus on performance over technique. Jazz came in season 15 and demands lower center of gravity and high energy for dynamic movements.
Foxtrot makes smooth look easy
A DWTS staple since season 1, the foxtrot uses smooth, progressive movements built on a slow-quick-quick rhythm. The real challenge is making it look effortless.
Latin dances bring heat and hip action
Cha cha, rumba, and salsa have been DWTS staples since season 1. Cha cha is sharp and flirty, rumba is slow and sexy, and salsa uses weight shifts and shoulder rolls for a bouncy rhythm.
Waltz styles demand grace and speed
The American smooth waltz features sliding, gliding, and rise-and-fall movement in 3/4 time. The Viennese waltz, added in season 5, moves nearly double the speed and can make dancers dizzy.
Paso doble is theatrical drama
Originating in Spain and part of DWTS since season 1, paso doble casts one partner as a matador and the other as the cape. It's fast-paced and intense, requiring precise, strong upper body movements.
Tango styles demand precision and drama
Standard tango uses a closed-hold position with sharp footwork and the signature bent-knee tango walk. Argentine tango, introduced in season 8, features a flexible embrace with leg hooks, crosses, lifts, and dips.
Jive and samba demand relentless energy
Jive is a fast, highly energetic Latin style with little kicks, leg flicks, and ridiculously fast feet. Samba, around since season 1, requires continuous vertical knee-bouncing and syncopated footwork.
Quickstep is the hardest ballroom style
Quickstep involves multiple advanced patterns including hops, runs, fast turns, and quick steps. Dancers must stay on their toes the whole time while maintaining a solid frame.
The bottom line
Quickstep is the hardest ballroom style to master overall, while contemporary and jazz are the most beginner-friendly.
