American dancer and choreographer (born 1993)
Witney Capri Carson McAllister (née Carson; born October 17, 1993)[1] is an American professional dancer and choreographer. She first gained recognition as a contestant on the ninth season of the reality competition series So You Think You Can Dance.
Carson then joined Dancing with the Stars as a troupe member, and was promoted to pro in 2014.[2] She won the nineteenth season with actor and comedian Alfonso Ribeiro, and the thirty-fourth season with wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin. For her work on the series, Carson earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]
Witney Capri Carson was born on October 17, 1993, in American Fork, Utah.[1][4] She is the first child of Jill Johnson-Carson (née Johnson), a travel agent, and Tyler Carson, a software developer.[5] She was raised Mormon with two younger brothers and a younger sister.[5] Carson began her dancing career at the age of three and was trained in a variety of dance styles, such as ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical, tap, Latin and standard ballroom.[4] After graduating from American Fork High School,[6] she briefly studied ballroom dance at Utah Valley University.[7]
2012–2013: So You Think You Can Dance
[edit]
On February 23, 2012, Carson auditioned for the ninth season of the Fox competition series So You Think You Can Dance in Salt Lake City. She was one of the top twenty contestants and was paired with ballet dancer Chehon Wespi-Tschopp. As she progressed in the competition, Carson partnered with Nick Lazzarini, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, and Marko Germar. She was eliminated on September 5, 2012, finishing in the top six.[8] Carson returned the following season as an all-star and partnered with contestants Paul Karmiryan and Du-Shaunt “Fik-Shun” Stegall.[9]
2013–present: Dancing with the Stars and other projects
[edit]
In March 2013, Carson joined the reality competition series Dancing with the Stars as a member of the troupe for the sixteenth season.[10] She remained in the troupe for the following season and was promoted to pro on season 18, partnering with singer Cody Simpson.[2] They were eliminated during the fifth week of competition on April 14, 2014, finishing in ninth place.[11] For season 19, Carson was partnered with actor Alfonso Ribeiro. They won the competition on November 23, 2014, making Carson one of six professional dancers to win the Mirrorball Trophy within their first two seasons.[12]
For season 20, Carson was partnered with The Bachelor star Chris Soules.[13] They were eliminated during the eighth week of competition on May 5, 2015, alongside Robert Herjavec and Kym Johnson; the former couple finished in fifth place.[14] Carson later starred in David Winters’s musical film Dancin’: It’s On! opposite Gary Daniels.[15] For season 21, Carson was paired with Big Time Rush singer and actor Carlos PenaVega.[16] They reached the finale, but were eliminated during its first night on November 23, 2015, finishing in fourth place.[17]
For season 22, Carson was paired with NFL linebacker Von Miller. They were eliminated during the seventh week of competition on May 2, 2016, alongside Kim Fields and Sasha Farber; the former couple finished in eighth place.[18] For season 23, Carson was paired with rapper Vanilla Ice. They were eliminated during the fourth week of competition alongside Babyface and Allison Holker; both couples finished in tenth place.[19] For season 24, Carson was partnered with comedian Chris Kattan. They were the first couple to be eliminated from the competition, finishing in twelfth place on March 27, 2017; Carson’s lowest placement and earliest exit to date.[20]
For season 25, Carson was partnered with Malcolm in the Middle actor Frankie Muniz. They reached the finale and ultimately finished in third place on November 21, 2017.[21] For the Athletes season, Carson was paired with Olympic luger Chris Mazdzer. They were eliminated during the third week of competition on May 14, 2018, tying in fourth place with Jennie Finch Daigle and Mirai Nagasu and their partners Keo Motsepe and Alan Bersten.[22] For season 27, Carson was partnered with actor Milo Manheim.[23] They reached the finale and finished as the runner-ups on November 19, 2018, behind Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess.[24] For season 28, Carson was partnered with Nickelodeon actor and comedian Kel Mitchell. They also reached the finale and finished as the runner-ups on November 25, 2019, behind Hannah Brown and Alan Bersten.[25] During the season, Carson served as the card dealer of the GSN game show Catch 21, which reunited her with Alfonso Ribiero.[26]
For season 30, Carson returned to the show and was partnered with WWE wrestler Mike “The Miz” Mizanin. They were eliminated during the seventh week of competition on November 1, 2021, finishing in ninth place.[27] For season 31, Carson was partnered with comedian, actor and television personality Wayne Brady.[28] They reached the finale and finished in third place on November 21, 2022.[29] Carson did not return for season 32,[30] but came back for season 33 and was partnered with NFL wide receiver Danny Amendola.[31] They reached the finale and finished in fifth place on November 26, 2024.[32] For season 34, Carson was partnered with wildlife conservationist and television personality Robert Irwin.[33] They won the competition on November 25, 2025, marking Carson’s second Mirrorball Trophy and her first in eleven years.[34]
Carson is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[35] She was diagnosed with melanoma before her debut appearance of Dancing with the Stars.[36] She underwent two successful surgeries to remove the cancer and hid her diagnosis from the producers, due to fear that it would cost her the season.[36]
On October 3, 2015, Carson became engaged to mechanical engineer Carson McAllister, her high school sweetheart, after four years of dating.[37] The couple married on New Year’s Day 2016 at the Salt Lake Temple.[38] Carson and McAllister reside in Orlando, Florida,[39] with their two sons.[40][41]
Dancing with the Stars performances
[edit]
* The average has been adjusted to be out of 30, not 40
Celebrity partner: Cody Simpson
- Notes
Celebrity partner: Alfonso Ribeiro
- Notes
- ^ Individual judges’ scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
- ^ This score was given by guest judge Kevin Hart in place of Goodman.
- ^ This score was given by the general public in place of Goodman, with an averaged score counting alongside the scores given by the three judges.
- ^ This was Switch-Up Week, so Alfonso performed with Cheryl Burke and Witney performed with Michael Waltrip.
- ^ This score was given by guest judge Jessie J in place of Goodman.
- ^ This score was given by guest judge Pitbull in place of Goodman.
- ^ Alfonso and Witney received three bonus points for winning this dance-off.
- ^ For this trio dance, Alfonso and Witney performed with Lindsay Arnold.
Celebrity partner: Chris Soules
- Notes
Celebrity partner: Carlos PenaVega
- Notes
- ^ Individual judges’ scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
- ^ Carlos and Witney also received a score of 8 from guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro.
- ^ a b c Carlos and Witney were the last couple to be called safe.
- ^ This was Switch-Up Week, so Carlos performed with Lindsay Arnold and Witney performed with Nick Carter.
- ^ Carlos and Lindsay also received a score of 9 from guest judge Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
- ^ Carlos and Witney also received a score of 9 from guest judge Olivia Newton-John.
- ^ Carlos and Witney received two bonus points for winning this dance-off. They received votes from all three judges.
- ^ For this team-up dance, Carlos and Witney performed with Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold.
- ^ Tamar Braxton unexpectedly withdrew from the competition, all the remaining couples directly advanced to the finale.
- ^ Carlos and Witney received three bonus points for winning this dance-off.
- ^ For this trio dance, Carlos and Witney performed with Karina Smirnoff.
Celebrity partner: Von Miller
- Notes
Celebrity partner: Vanilla Ice
- Notes
Celebrity partner: Chris Kattan
- Notes
Celebrity partner: Frankie Muniz
- Notes
Celebrity partner: Chris Mazdzer
- Notes
- ^ Individual judges’ scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.
- ^ a b Chris and Witney also received a score of 8 from guest judge Rashad Jennings.
- ^ Chris and Witney were the last couple to be called safe.
- ^ Chris and Witney also received a score of 9 from guest judge David Ross.
- ^ Chris and Witney received zero bonus points for losing this dance-off. They received a vote from Carrie Ann Inaba, plus the public vote (55%).
Celebrity partner: Milo Manheim
- Notes
Celebrity partner: Kel Mitchell
- Notes
- ^ Individual judges’ scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.
- ^ Kel and Witney also received a score of 8 from guest judge Leah Remini.
- ^ Kel and Witney received two bonus points for winning this dance-off.
- ^ Kel and Witney also received a score of 9 from guest judge Joey Fatone.
- ^ Kel and Witney also received a score of 10 from guest judge Joey Fatone.
Celebrity partner: Mike “The Miz” Mizanin
- Notes
Celebrity partner: Wayne Brady
- Notes
Celebrity partner: Danny Amendola
- Notes
- ^ Individual judges’ scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
- ^ Danny and Witney also received a score of 8 from guest judge Rosie Perez.
- ^ Danny and Witney also received a score of 9 from guest judge Gene Simmons.
- ^ Danny and Witney also received a score of 9 from guest judge Mark Ballas.
- ^ Danny and Witney received zero bonus points for losing this dance-off.
Celebrity partner: Robert Irwin
- Notes
- ^ Individual judges’ scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
- ^ Robert and Witney only received two judges’s scores, as Carrie Ann Inaba was absent.
- ^ Robert and Witney also received a score of 9 from guest judge Kym Johnson.
- ^ Robert and Witney also received a score of 9 from guest judge Jon M. Chu.
- ^ Robert and Witney also received a score of 9 from guest judge Cheryl Burke.
- ^ Robert and Witney received three bonus points in this dance marathon.
- ^ Robert and Witney also received a score of 10 from guest judge Flavor Flav.
- ^ Team Kool also received a score of 10 from guest judge Flavor Flav.
- ^ Robert and Witney also received a score of 10 from guest judge Tom Bergeron.
- ^ Robert received two bonus points for winning this dance relay with celebrity partner Xochitl Gomez.
Dancing with the Stars achievements
[edit]
- ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
- ^ a b Holmes, Kathryn (January 1, 2015). “Belle of the Ballroom”. Dance Spirit. New York City, New York: PubWorx – Dance Media LLC. Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
Birthday: October 17, 1993; Middle name: Capri
- ^ a b “Dancing with the Stars Contestants, Pro Dancers, & host Season 20″ (Press release). ABC. February 11, 2015. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- ^ Martin, Rebecca (July 20, 2015). “DWTS Pro Witney Carson Gets Emmy Nomination”. Wetpaint. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ a b “About Me | Witney Carson”. 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- ^ a b Orfanides, Effie (April 26, 2018). “Witney Carson’s Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know”. EntertainmentNow. Archived from the original on September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ^ Pierce, Scott D. (October 11, 2019). “Scott D. Pierce: Utahn who’s been Dancing with the Stars is now making like Vanna White”. The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Micheli, Chelsea (July 16, 2012). “UVU Student Performs on So You Think You Can Dance“. UVU Review. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Hoffa, Meredith (September 6, 2012). “So You Think You Can Dance recap: Witney Carson, Cole Horibe eliminated”. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- ^ Halterman, Jim (April 30, 2013). “Meet The All-Stars Of So You Think You Can Dance Season 10!”. TheBlacklot. Archived from the original on May 3, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- ^ Carbone, Gina (March 11, 2013). “Dancing With the Stars 2013: Witney Carson Joins Season 16 Pro Troupe”. Wetpaint. Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- ^ Kwiatkowski, Elizabeth (April 15, 2014). “Dancing with the Stars eliminates Cody Simpson and professional partner Witney Carson on ‘Disney Night’“. Reality TV World. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Clarke, Suzan (November 25, 2014). “Dancing With the Stars 2014: Alfonso Ribeiro Wins in Season 19 Finals”. ABC News. Archived from the original on November 26, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ “Chris Soules Will Become 12th Contestant on Dancing with the Stars“. People. March 5, 2015. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ Kubicek, John (May 5, 2015). “Dancing with the Stars Results: A Huge Double Elimination”. BuddyTV. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
- ^ Feller, Alison (January 18, 2013). “SYTYCD Stars Go Hollywood”. Dance Spirit. Archived from the original on August 14, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- ^ “Dancing with the Stars Season 21 Cast Announcement”. ABC. September 2, 2015. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ^ Dostis, Melanie (November 23, 2015). “Dancing with the Stars finale part I recap: Carlos Pena Vega eliminated while Irwin and Carter blow judges away”. New York Daily News. Archived from the original on September 6, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Mullin, David (May 3, 2016). “Eliminated: No MVP for Von Miller on Dancing with the Stars“. USA Today. Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Stone, Natalie (October 4, 2016). “Dancing with the Stars: Babyface, Vanilla Ice Eliminated in Week 4″. People. Archived from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ “Chris Kattan and Witney Carson eliminated from Dancing with the Stars“. Reality TV World. UPI. March 28, 2017. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Longeretta, Emily (November 22, 2017). “Dancing With the Stars Season 25 Finale Recap: Who Won the Mirrorball?”. Us Weekly. Archived from the original on November 23, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Iannucci, Rebecca (May 15, 2018). “Dancing With the Stars Week 3 Recap: Are the Right Athletes In the Finale?”. TVLine. Archived from the original on February 23, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ Murphy, Desiree (September 12, 2018). “‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 27 Cast Revealed — Meet the Celebs and Their Pro Partners!”. Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ^ Maloney, Michael (November 20, 2018). “‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 27 Winners & Runners-Up React to That Shocking Finale”. TV Insider. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Iannucci, Rebecca (November 26, 2019). “Dancing With the Stars Finale Recap: Did the Right Couple Win Season 28?”. TVLine. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ “Catch 21 | Show Info” (Press release). GSN. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
- ^ Thompson, Andrew (November 1, 2021). “Witney Carson & WWE’s The Miz eliminated from Dancing With the Stars“. POST Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Dugan Ramirez, Christina (September 8, 2022). “Dancing with the Stars : Teresa Giudice, Wayne Brady, Selma Blair and More Celebs Join Season 31″. People. Archived from the original on September 9, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ Joelle Goldstein (November 21, 2022). “Dancing with the Stars Season 31 Finale: A New Celebrity Becomes the Mirrorball Champion”. People. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ Jackson, Dory (August 28, 2023). “Dancing with the Stars Pro Witney Carson Not Returning for Season 32: ‘I Hope It’s Not a Goodbye’“. People. Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ Lenker, Maureen Lee (September 6, 2024). “See the first couple shots of the Dancing With the Stars season 33 duos”. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 6, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
- ^ Bloom, Mike (November 26, 2024). “The Winner of Dancing with the Stars 2024 Is Revealed”. Parade. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (September 3, 2025). “Dancing With The Stars Cast Reveal: Hilaria Baldwin, Andy Richter & Corey Feldman To Compete In Season 34″. Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 3, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
- ^ McKinley, Franklin (November 25, 2025). “Dancing With the Stars Ends Season 34 With Star-Studded Finale as a New Winner Is Crowned: See the Scores, Who Won”. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ^ Hanlon, Sarah (September 13, 2014). “All About DWTS Pro Witney Carson & Carson McAllister’s Love Story”. The Knot. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ a b Brody, Lanae (July 20, 2022). “DWTS Witney Carson Says She Hid Cancer Diagnosis from Producers: ‘I Was Embarrassed’“. People. Retrieved October 16, 2025.
- ^ Kimble, Lindsay (October 3, 2015). “Dancing with the Stars Witney Carson Is Engaged to Carson McAllister”. People. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Mullins, Jenna (January 3, 2016). “Witney Carson Is Married: Dancing With the Stars Pro Weds Carson McAllister”. E! News. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
- ^ Simpson, Kaitlin (April 6, 2024). “Witney Carson and Carson McAllister’s New Florida Home: Photos”. Us Weekly. Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
- ^ Slater, Georgia (January 3, 2021). “DWTS Pro Witney Carson Reveals Newborn Son’s Name and Shares Sweet Meaning Behind His Moniker”. People. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ Andaloro, Angela; Slater, Georgia (May 15, 2023). “Witney Carson and Husband Carson Welcome Baby No. 2, Son Jet: ‘Best Mother’s Day Gift’“. People. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Corinthios, Aurelie (July 31, 2015). “DWTS Pro Witney Carson on Her Emmy Nod, Next Season and Working with The Bachelor‘s Chris Soules”. People. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
