Home / Arts and Entertainment / DWTS Troupe: The Unsung Heroes' Path to Stardom
DWTS Troupe: The Unsung Heroes' Path to Stardom
2 Aug
Summary
- The DWTS troupe was introduced in 2011, featuring dancers without partners.
- Some pros like Britt Stewart joined without prior ballroom training.
- Peta Murgatroyd was the first troupe member to become a two-time champion.
The Dancing With the Stars troupe, established in 2011 during season 12, has served as a crucial stepping stone for numerous professional dancers. These troupe members, though lacking individual celebrity partners, were integral to the show's spectacle through group performances and interstitial routines.
Britt Stewart, a notable example, joined the troupe without prior professional ballroom training, relying instead on her background in ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. Her unique skillset, recognized by choreographer Mandy Moore, led to her audition and subsequent five seasons in the troupe before her promotion to pro in 2020.
Among the earliest troupe members was Peta Murgatroyd, who went on to become the sole star from that initial group to ascend to pro status and achieve significant success, ultimately winning two mirrorball trophies. This pathway demonstrates the troupe's role in identifying and nurturing talent within the competitive dance world.
While many pros like Britt Stewart and Peta Murgatroyd graduated from the troupe, others, such as Rylee Arnold and Jan Ravnik, were directly cast as pros. Ravnik faced some initial criticism for his relatively limited ballroom resume, a common challenge for those who bypass the troupe's foundational experience.
