Dancing with the Stars is a Costa Rican dance reality show which premiered on August 24, 2014 on Teletica. The show is the Costa Rican version of the British television series Strictly Come Dancing. The program is presented by Randall Vargas, alongside Shirley Álvarez, who is the co-host. Boris Sossa was a co-host in season 2. Mauricio Hoffamn was a co-host in season 3. Bismarck Méndez co-hosted seasons 4 and 5. Natalia Carvajal was the co-host in season 6 of the program.
Costa Rica became the 49th country to adapt the format and the second in Central America after Panama. In February 2014, the BBC's purchase of the program format from Teletica was announced.
The format of the program consists of couples formed by a celebrity with a professional dancer. Each couple performs predetermined dances and competes against the others for the judges' scores and the audience's votes. The couple that receives the lowest combined score from the jury scores and the public votes is eliminated each week until one couple is crowned champion.
Cast
Presenters Randall Vargas and Shirley Álvarez have been the presenters since the show's premiere in 2014. Along with them, in season 2, Boris Sosa joined the backstage host. He was replaced by Mauricio Hoffman in season 3, who was then replaced by Bismarck Méndez, season 3's runner-up, in seasons 4 and 5. Starting in season 6, he was managed by Natalia Carvajal.
Judges The regular judges are David Martínez, who serves as head judge, Flor Urbina who was replaced by Silvia Baltodano in season 7, and Álex Costa. Actor and singer César Meléndez (†) served as a judge in seasons 1 and 2 (2014–15).
Actor and comedian Álex Costa, who was the winner of season 1, permanently joined the judging panel from season 3, due to Meléndez's deteriorating health (and subsequent death).
During a season 5 gala (2018), the prestigious Spanish dancer Isaac Rovira joined the roster as a guest judge. In gala 4 of season 6 (2019), the winner of the fourth season (2017), presenter Víctor Carvajal, served as the third judge, due to the absence of Álex Costa.
Cast timeline Color key:
Cast memberSeasons1234567Randall VargasShirley ÁlvarezNatalia CarvajalNatalia RodríguezMaría GonzálezBoris SosaMauricio HoffmanBismarck MéndezFlor UrbinaDavid MartínezÁlex CostaCésar Melendez (†)Isaac RoviraSilvia Baltodano
Couples A total of 70 celebrities have appeared in the 7 seasons of the show. For each season, celebrities are paired with a professional partner who instructs them in the different dances each week and competes alongside them in the televised competition. A total of 20 professional dancers have appeared alongside celebrities, some for just one season.
Color key:
Won the season Second place in the season Third place in the season
Last place in the season Withdrew during the season
Professional dancerSeason1234567Alhanna MoralesÁlex CostaMaynor SolanoÁlvaro MesénGustavo GamboaPablo RodríguezJohnny LópezMauricio HoffmannYessenia ReyesPedro CapmanyRenzo RímoloBismarck MéndezDaniel CarvajalGustavo PeláezDany "Destino"Víctor NúñezLucía JiménezMauricio MonteroDaniel VargasS. Fitzgerald HaneyJara JecsiniorGreivin MorganJoaquín YglesiasDiana de la ORogelio RoyesMichael BleakVíctor CarvajalKevin VeraJohanna SolanoCoco VargasGabriela JiménezJavier AcuñaVictoria FuentesKarina RamosMarcela UgaldeViviana CalderónSofía ChaverriNicole AldanaMichael RubíDoris GoldewightJalé BerahimiSophía RodríguezKeyla SánchezSharon SeguraLorna CepedaDavid HernándezLorena VelázquezGlenda PerazaJohanna OrtizMarcela NegriniRoberto GonzálezMaureen SalgueroCharlene StewartRonald HidalgoAlejandra GonzálezAngélica GamboaRafael CalderónDon StockwellDaniel del BarcoJosé Miguel CruzFiorella SanchézAlonso SolísBilly CoradoMarisol SotoMonserrat del CastilloAdriana DuránAmanda MoncadaFabiana GranadosDiego FloresLorena VelázquezGabriela TrañaBrenda JiménezGustavo RojasSteven GómezMaría GonzálezAlejandra PortilloTatiana SánchezHarold WallaceOscar LópezMarko JaraJahzeel AcevedoWesley VargasJair CruzBryan GanozaErick VásquezNatalia CarvajalYokasta ValleAndrea MoralesKimberly LoaizaAndrés FernándezMelissa Diakova
Season specifications SeasonNo. ofDuration datesCouples in the finalStarsWeeksFirst placeSecond placeThird place11012August 24 — November 9, 2014Álex Costa & Alhanna MoralesPedro Capmany & Yessenia ReyesLorena Velázquez & David Hernández21012September 13 — November 29, 2015Renzo Rímolo & Yessenia ReyesMauricio Montero & Lucía JiménezMontserrat del Castillo & Billy Corado31012September 11 — November 26, 2016Daniel Vargas & Lucía JiménezBismarck Méndez & Yessenia ReyesJalé Berahimi & Michael Rubí41012September 10 — November 26, 2017Víctor Carvajal & Diana de la OS. Fitzgerald Haney & Lucía JiménezSophia Rodríguez & Michael Rubí51012September 9 — November 25, 2018Johanna Solano & Kevin VeraKeyla Sánchez & Michael RubíGustavo Pelaéz & Yessenia Reyes61012August 25 — November 10, 2019Sofía Chaverri & Javier AcuñaGreivin Morgan & Lucía JiménezMarko Jara & Tatiana Sánchez71013June 26 — September 25, 2022Lorna Cepeda & Michael RubíKimberly Loaiza & Erick VázquezMauricio Hoffmann & Alhanna Morales
Seasons Season 1 (2014) This first edition began on August 24 and ended on November 9, 2014. This year, 10 celebrities participated, paired with professional dancers. Randall Vargas and Shirley Álvarez were the host and co-host, respectively. The judges were: musician, actress, dancer, and choreographer Flor Urbina; dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher David Martínez; and actor and singer César Melendez.
During the show, Marcela Negriniii withdrew from the competition for health reasons. Chef Lorena Velázquez, who had been the first contestant to be eliminated, returned to the competition in her place.
The contestants of the first season were: CelebrityNotabilityProfessional partnerStatusLorena VelázquezChefDiego Flores1st EliminatedRogelio RoyesSingerDiana de la O2nd EliminatedMarisol SotoTV presenterBilly Corado3rd EliminatedMarcela NegriniModel & businesswomanDavid HernándezWithdrewAlonso SolísFormer soccer player & singerFiorella Sanchéz4th EliminatedRafael CalderónChefAngélica Gamboa5th EliminatedAlejandra GonzálezTV presenterRonald Hidalgo6th EliminatedMaureen SalgueroTV and radio presenter & actressRoberto González7th EliminatedLorena VelázquezChefDavid HernándezThird placePedro CapmanySinger-songwriterYessenia ReyesSecond placeÁlex CostaComedian & actorAlhanna MoralesWinners
Season 2 (2015) This second edition began on September 13 and ended on November 29, 2015. This year, 10 celebrities competed alongside professional dancers. Randall Vargas and Shirley Álvarez returned as presenters, and Boris Sossa joined the show backstage. The judges from the previous edition returned.
The contestants of the second season were: CelebrityNotabilityProfessional partnerStatusMaría GonzálezTV presenter & modelSteven Gómez1st EliminatedMichael BleakRancher & businessmanDiana de la O2nd EliminatedVictoria FuentesJournalistJavier Acuña3rd EliminatedCharlene StewartSingerRoberto González4th EliminatedDoris GoldewightChefMichael Rubí5th EliminatedDon StockwellArtistic entrepreneurAngélica Gamboa6th EliminatedMaynor SolanoSports journalistAlhanna Morales7th EliminatedMonserrat del CastilloModel & TV presenterBilly CoradoThird placeMauricio MonteroFormer soccer playerLucía JiménezSecond placeRenzo RímoloComedianYessenia ReyesWinners
Season 3 (2016) The third season began on September 11 and ended on November 26, 2016. This season featured 10 celebrities paired with professional dancers. Randall Vargas and Shirley Álvarez returned as hosts, with Mauricio Hoffman in charge of backstage. Flor Urbina and David Martínez returned as judges. Actor and comedian Álex Costa, the season 1 winner, joined the judging panel.
The contestants of the third season were: CelebrityNotabilityProfessional partnerStatusAlejandra PortilloActressSteven Gómez1st EliminatedGustavo RojasActor & TV presenterBrenda Jiménez2nd EliminatedÁlvaro MesénFormer soccer playerAlhanna Morales3rd EliminatedDaniel del BarcoShoe designerAngélica Gamboa4th EliminatedGabriela TrañaAthleteDiego Torres5th EliminatedGlenda PerazaTV presenter & modelDavid Hernández6th EliminatedKarina RamosModel & Miss Costa Rica 2014Javier Acuña7th EliminatedJalé BerahimiTV presenter & businesswomanMichael RubíThird placeBismarck MéndezTV presenter & actorYessenia ReyesSecond placeDaniel VargasChefLucía JiménezWinners
Season 4 (2017) The fourth edition began on September 10 and ended on November 26, 2017. This year's show featured 10 celebrities paired with professional dancers. Randall Vargas and Shirley Álvarez returned as hosts, with Bismarck Méndez in charge of backstage management. Flor Urbina, David Martínez, and Álex Costa returned as judges.
The contestants of the fourth season were: CelebrityNotabilityProfessional partnerStatusHarold WallaceFormer soccer playerTatiana Sánchez1st EliminatedAdriana DuránJournalist & TV presenterBilly Corado2nd EliminatedNatalia CarvajalTV host & Miss Costa Rica 2018Erik Vasquéz3rd EliminatedJohanna OrtizTV presenter & modelDavid Hernández4th EliminatedGustavo GamboaAnnouncerAlhanna Morales5th EliminatedMarcela UgaldeActressJavier Acuña6th EliminatedDaniel CarvajalModel & VeteranYessenia Reyes7th EliminatedSophia RodríguezChefMichael RubíThird placeStafford Fitzgerald HaneyFormer United States AmbassadorLucía JiménezSecond placeVíctor CarvajalTV presenterDiana de la OWinners
Season 5 (2018) The fifth edition began on September 9 and concluded on November 25, 2018. This edition featured 10 celebrities paired with professional dancers. Randall Vargas and Shirley Álvarez returned as hosts, while Bismarck Méndez continued to host the backstage. The judges were the same as the previous edition. The first female champion in the show's history was also crowned.
The contestants of the fifth season were: CelebrityNotabilityProfessional partnerStatusWesley VargasTV personalityJahzeel Acevedo1st EliminatedAmanda MoncadaDressmakerBilly Corado2nd EliminatedPablo RodríguezActorAlhanna Morales3rd EliminatedYokasta ValleFemale boxerErick Vázquez4th EliminatedOscar LópezPoliticianTatiana Sánchez5th EliminatedViviana CalderónTV presenter & actressJavier Acuña6th EliminatedJecsinior JaraSingerLucía Jiménez7th EliminatedGustavo PeláezAnnouncer & comedianYessenia ReyesThird placeKeyla SánchezTV presenter & announcerMichael RubíSecond placeJohanna SolanoModel & Miss Costa Rica 2011Kevin VeraWinners
Season 6 (2019) The sixth edition began on August 25, 2019. This edition consisted of 10 celebrities paired with professional dancers. Randall Vargas and Shirley Álvarez returned as hosts, and backstage was hosted by Natalia Carvajal and Natalia Rodríguez.
The contestants of the sixth season were: CelebrityNotabilityProfessional partnerStatusAndrea MoralesPolitician & lawyerErick Vásquez1st EliminatedSilvia "Coco" VargasInfluencer & vloggerKevin Vera2nd EliminatedJair CruzAnnouncerJahzeel Acevedo3rd EliminatedFabiana Granados HerreraMiss Costa Rica 2013 & businesswomanBilly Corado4th EliminatedJohnny LópezPresenter & journalistAlhanna Morales5th EliminatedDany Pérez (Destino)InfluencerYessenia Reyes6th EliminatedSharon SeguraModelo & presenterMichael Rubí7th EliminatedMarko JaraSinger & veteranTatiana SánchezThird placeGreivin MorganModelLucía JiménezSecond placeSofía ChaverriActressJavier AcuñaWinners
Season 7 (2022) The seventh edition began on June 26, 2022. This year's show features 10 celebrities paired with professional dancers. Randall Vargas and Shirley Álvarez returned as hosts, and María González and Natalia Rodríguez are in charge of backstage hosting.
The participants of this season are: