Man, looking back at 2013 feels like a lifetime ago, doesn't it? But if you were one of the millions glued to the TV for the winners of Dancing with the Stars season 16, you probably still have a very specific opinion about how that finale went down. It was a weird, electric, and incredibly tense night.
Basically, the season turned into a heavyweight bout between two very different women. On one side, you had the "American Idol" sweetheart Kellie Pickler. On the other, a 16-year-old Disney star named Zendaya who was already showing the kind of talent that would eventually make her an A-list icon. Honestly, the gap between them was paper-thin.
When Tom Bergeron announced the results on May 21, 2013, the room kinda exploded. Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough took home the Mirrorball Trophy. It was a massive moment for Derek—his fourth win—but for a lot of fans, it was the start of a decade-long debate about whether the right person actually won.
The Night the Mirrorball Went Country
The finale was actually a two-night event, which is usually just a lot of filler, but this one felt different. Going into the last night, Zendaya and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy were actually leading the leaderboard. They had 65 points to Kellie and Derek's 64.
That one-point difference is basically nothing in the world of DWTS.
Then came the "Instant Dances." Kellie and Derek had to perform an instant Jive to "Keep A-Knockin’" by Little Richard. It was fast. It was clean. It was, as Carrie Ann Inaba liked to say, "perfection." They nailed a perfect 30.
Zendaya and Val followed up with an instant Jive of their own. They also got a 30.
So, it all came down to the fan vote. This is where things get interesting because Kellie Pickler had that country music fan base behind her, and Derek Hough was already the golden boy of the show. When the confetti dropped, Kellie looked genuinely shocked. Like, she couldn't even hear the announcement over the noise.
Why We Are Still Talking About the Winners of Dancing with the Stars Season 16
You've probably seen the headlines lately because Zendaya actually brought this up again recently. Even though she's winning Emmys and starring in Dune now, she admitted in an interview that she still harbors a "little animosity" about losing.
It makes sense. She was only 16. Imagine being that young, working that hard, and losing by what was likely a tiny margin of public votes.
The Final Four Standings
The finale wasn't just about the top two, though. The talent that year was actually kind of insane compared to some of the more recent seasons.
- 1st Place: Kellie Pickler & Derek Hough
- 2nd Place: Zendaya & Val Chmerkovskiy
- 3rd Place: Jacoby Jones & Karina Smirnoff
- 4th Place: Aly Raisman & Mark Ballas
Jacoby Jones was the "fun" contestant who actually turned out to be a great dancer. Being an NFL wide receiver usually helps with the footwork, but he had this charisma that kept him in the running way longer than people expected. And Aly Raisman? She had just come off the London Olympics. She was technically flawless, but the judges sometimes dinged her for being "too robotic," which feels a bit harsh for a world-class gymnast.
The Freestyle That Changed Everything
If you want to know why Kellie won, you have to watch her freestyle. Most couples go for high-energy, flashy, "look at me" stunts. Derek Hough decided to go the opposite way.
He choreographed a Contemporary-heavy piece to "Beneath Your Beautiful." It was emotional and quiet. It showed a side of Kellie that people hadn't seen on Idol. It wasn't just a dance; it was a "moment."
Zendaya’s freestyle was a high-energy Hip-Hop routine with a bunch of kid dancers. It was incredible and technically way more difficult than what anyone else was doing. But in the world of DWTS, the "emotional journey" usually beats the "technical masterpiece."
What Most People Forget
People forget that season 16 was actually quite tragic at the start. Dorothy Hamill, the legendary figure skater, had to withdraw very early on because of a spinal injury. It cast a bit of a shadow over the first few weeks.
We also saw the debut of some pros who became staples, like Sharna Burgess (who was with Andy Dick) and Lindsay Arnold (who was with boxer Victor Ortiz).
But really, the legacy of the winners of Dancing with the Stars season 16 is the Kellie vs. Zendaya rivalry. It was one of those rare times where the show felt like a legitimate competition between two high-level performers rather than just a popularity contest for B-list celebs.
Actionable Insights for DWTS Fans
If you're looking back at this season to understand how the show works today, here's the reality:
- The "Journey" matters more than the start. Zendaya was great from Day 1. Kellie grew throughout the season. Voters love a growth arc.
- Freestyle is the tie-breaker. If you're tied on points, the more emotional freestyle usually captures the "casual" viewer who only votes during the finale.
- Professional partners are the secret sauce. This was the season that solidified Derek Hough as the GOAT of choreographers. He knew exactly how to package Kellie to win over the hearts of Middle America.
Whether you think Zendaya was robbed or Kellie deserved it, there’s no denying that season 16 was peak reality TV. It had the drama, the talent, and a winner that people are still arguing about over a decade later.
To really appreciate the win, go back and re-watch Kellie and Derek's Argentine Tango. It’s widely considered one of the best dances in the history of the show, and it’s probably the exact moment the tide shifted in her favor.