DWTS' First Winner Kelly Monaco: Backlash For Victory, Rematch With O'Hurley, Unmarried Post Breakup

Dancing with the Stars is considered one of the greatest celebrity reality competition shows in the history of American television. The series premiered on ABC on June 1, 2005, and is the American version of the famous British TV reality competition show, Strictly Come Dancing. The iconic show's 34th season premiered on September 16, 2025, and continues to entertain reality show lovers. Apart from creating a special place in the hearts of viewers across the world in all these years, DWTS has been nominated and won a series of prestigious awards

Dancing with the Stars: A look into the ABC show's journey from season 1 in 2005 to clocking 7.95 million viewers for the finale of season 33

For the uninitiated, Dancing with the Stars has been nominated for 124 Primetime Emmy Awards (winning 21), 14 People's Choice Awards (winning 4), 8 Critics' Choice Television Awards (winning 2), and 2 GLAAD Media Awards. The show's massive success has been monetized through various income streams, including merchandise, live tours, games, companion books, cardio-dance DVDs, and multiple spin-offs.

One can understand the magnitude of DWTS' fandom worldwide by noting that the ABC show drew 7.95 million viewers for the Season 33 finale. Well, after season 34's 'Wicked Night' on Week 6 has already clocked 6.63 million viewers, critics are hopeful that this season's finale can break the all-time viewership record of season 34's finale. For the uninitiated, the DWTS season 34 finale is scheduled for November 25, 2025.

Who is Dancing with the Stars' first winner? Meet Kelly Monaco, who won Season 1 of DWTS, and know where she is now

Season 1 of Dancing with the Stars premiered back in June 2005. The inaugural season featured a series of renowned celebrities like Joey McIntyre, Rachel Hunter, Evander Holyfield, Trista Sutter, John O'Hurley, and Kelly Monaco. On July 6, 2025, Kelly Monaco and John O'Hurley faced off in the show's finale with their respective dance partners, Alec Mazo and Charlotte Jorgensen. It was an intense final in which Kelly and Mazo lifted the trophy after getting 30 in Freestyle and 25 in Samba. O'Hurley and Jorgensen finished as runners-up, scoring 27 in Quickstep and 27 in Freestyle.

Kelly Monaco rose to global fame after winning the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy with her dance partner, Alec Mazo. However, not everyone is aware that, even before participating in the show, she was already a renowned actress in Hollywood. She started her career as a model and, at just 16 in 1996, sent her photo to Playboy, becoming a Playmate of the Month for April 1997. After being featured in several Playboy Special Edition publications, she landed her first television role in the American drama, Baywatch, from 1997 to 1998. She also served as Carmen Electra's body double in Baywatch because the former couldn't swim.

Kelly Monaco made her acting debut on the big screen in the film, BASEketball. For her dual role as Livvie Locke Morley and Tess Ramsey on the show, Port Charles, she received an Emmy nomination in 2003. In the same year, she appeared in the drama, General Hospital as 'Samantha "Sam" McCall', a role that became her career-defining, and she played for two decades. For her iconic role in General Hospital, she received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2006. Fast forward to 2025, and the 49-year-old actress is working on a podcast with Shanna Moakler, called "Bad Bunnies".

Inside Dancing with the Stars Season 1 finale: Kelly Monaco received backlash, viewers labeled John O'Hurley as their winner, and the special rematch

Throughout the first season of Dancing with the Stars, John O'Hurley and Charlotte Jorgensen received far better scores than Kelly Monaco and Alec Mazo. As a result, when the duos met in the final, people were convinced that O'Hurley and Jorgensen were going to take the trophy home. Shockingly, Kelly and Mazo won the finale due to heavy fan voting, leaving viewers absolutely furious.

Even some critics raised eyebrows at the voting system and raised fingers at its fairness. Hence, ABC set up 'Dance-Off Rematch,' where audience votes alone determined the winner, and, as predicted, O'Hurley won the rematch. However, Kelly remained the official winner of DWTS Season 1.

Is General Hospital actress, Kelly Monaco married? Inside DWTS Season 1 winner's high-school boyfriend, Mike Gonzalez, and their breakup after 18 years of relationship

Kelly Monaco is unmarried and isn't dating anyone right now. However, she had an 18-year-long relationship with her high school sweetheart, Mike Gonzalez, that ended around 2009. After her breakup with Mike, Kelly was linked to her General Hospital co-star, Billy Miller, but neither addressed their dating rumours. As of now, she is believed to be single and focused on her career.

What are your thoughts on Kelly Monaco winning the Dancing With The Stars Season 1 over John O'Hurley? Let us know.

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