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Britt Stewart

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Britt Stewart
Born
Britt Benae Stewart

(1989-09-21) September 21, 1989 (age 35)
Aurora, Colorado, U.S.
Education
Occupations
  • Dancer
  • choreographer
  • teacher
Years active2008–present
TelevisionDancing with the Stars
Partner(s)Daniel Durant (2023–present; engaged)

Britt Benae Stewart (born September 21, 1989)[1] is an American professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Best known for her appearances on the reality competition program Dancing with the Stars, she is the first African American woman to be cast on the series as a pro.

Early life

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Britt Benae Stewart was born on September 21, 1989, in Aurora, Colorado,[1] and lived in Seattle, Washington for some time after her birth.[2] Both of her parents worked in business and were unfamiliar with dance, but they enrolled her in classes when she was three after a stranger at an outdoor music festival noticed her moving to the music.[2] Stewart's training began with ballet and tap at a local school in Seattle.[2] After her family moved back to Colorado, she continued training at the Artistic Fusion Dance Academy, a competition studio.[2][3]

Despite her extensive dance education, Stewart originally aspired to become a pediatric surgeon.[4] She studied modern and cultural dance styles at the Denver School of the Arts, where she graduated in 2007.[3] She then attended Loyola Marymount University as a double major in dance and science, but she suspended her studies halfway through her second semester.[2]

Career

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Stewart appeared in Kenny Ortega's trilogy of High School Musical films as a principal dancer (2006–2008).[2] She later performed in Fame (2009), No Strings Attached (2011), and Teen Beach Movie (2013). On television, Stewart booked shows such as American Idol, Bunheads, A Capitol Fourth,[5] Dancing Fools,[6] Gilmore Girls, Glee, Grey's Anatomy, and The Voice.[2] She toured and performed with several musicians, including Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Annie Lennox, Katy Perry,[7] Selena Gomez, Florence and the Machine, Demi Lovato, and Nick Jonas.[3]

2016–present: Dancing with the Stars

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Producers from the reality competition series Dancing with the Stars watched Stewart perform as she was rehearsing for The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60 (2016) and asked her to audition for their troupe. Six months later, she made her series debut on season 22 without any formal training in ballroom dance.[8] Stewart became a full-time troupe member the following season, and remained in that role until the troupe was cut for season 28.[9] On August 18, 2020, she was named the first Black female pro in Dancing with the Stars history.[10]

For season 29, Stewart was partnered with Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir.[11] They reached the semi-finals and were eliminated on November 16, 2020, in a double elimination alongside Skai Jackson and Alan Bersten. Weir and Stewart finished in sixth place.[12]

For season 30, Stewart was partnered with film and television actor Martin Kove.[13] They were the first couple eliminated from the competition, finishing in fifteenth place on September 27, 2021; Stewart's lowest placement to date.[14]

For season 31, Stewart was partnered with deaf film and television actor Daniel Durant.[15] They reached the semi-finals and were eliminated on November 14, 2022, in a double elimination alongside Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater.[16] Durant and Stewart finished in fifth place; Stewart's highest placement to date.[16]

For season 32, Stewart was partnered with NFL running back Adrian Peterson.[17] His casting was panned by audience viewers due to his history of legal issues, which includes arrests for child abuse and domestic violence.[18] Peterson and Stewart were ultimately eliminated on October 17, 2023, during the fourth week of competition, finishing in eleventh place.[19]

For season 33, Stewart was partnered with film and television actor Eric Roberts. They were eliminated during the third week of competition on October 8, 2024, in a double elimination alongside Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater. Both couples finished in tenth place.[20]

Season Partner Place
29 Johnny Weir 6th
30 Martin Kove 15th
31 Daniel Durant 5th
32 Adrian Peterson 11th
33 Eric Roberts 10th

Season 29

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Celebrity partner: Johnny Weir

Week Dance Music Judges' scores[a] Total score Result
1 Cha-cha-cha "Buttons" — The Pussycat Dolls 6 6 6 18 Safe
2 Tango "Poker Face" — Lady Gaga 6 6 6 18 Safe
3 Rumba "Reflection" — Christina Aguilera 8 8 8 24 Safe
4 Jive "Crocodile Rock" — Elton John 8 8 8 24 Safe
5 Contemporary "Total Eclipse of the Heart" — Bonnie Tyler 10 10 9 29 Safe
6 Salsa "On the Floor" — Jennifer Lopez, feat. Pitbull 7 8 7 22 Bottom two
7 Viennese waltz "Creep" — Vincint 9 9 9 27 Safe
8 Foxtrot "Wonder" — Shawn Mendes 9 9 9 27 Safe
Viennese waltz
(Dance relay) 		"I Have Nothing" — Whitney Houston — 3[b]
9 Quickstep "Valerie" — Amy Winehouse, feat. Mark Ronson 10 10 10 30 Bottom two
Jive
(Dance-off) 		"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" — Wham! Loser 0[c]
10 Salsa "X" — Jonas Brothers & Karol G 9 9 9 27 Eliminated
Jazz "I Lived" — OneRepublic 10 10 10 30
Notes
  1. ^ Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
  2. ^ Johnny and Britt received three bonus points for this dance relay.
  3. ^ Johnny and Britt received zero bonus points for losing this dance-off.

Season 30

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Celebrity partner: Martin Kove

Week Dance Music Judges' scores[a] Total score Result
1 Paso doble "You're the Best" — Joe Esposito 4 3 3 3 13 Safe
2 Cha-cha-cha "Twist and Shout" — The Isley Brothers 4 3 4 4 15 Eliminated
Notes
  1. ^ Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.

Season 31

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Celebrity partner: Daniel Durant

Week Dance Music Judges' scores[a] Total score Result
1 Tango "Barbra Streisand" — Duck Sauce 7 6 7 7 27 Safe
2 Jive "King Creole" — Elvis Presley 7 7 7 8 29 Safe
3 Rumba "The World Is Not Enough" — Garbage 8 7 8 8 31 Safe
4 Quickstep "Finally Free" — Joshua Bassett 7 7 7 8 29 Safe
5
(Night 1) 		Contemporary "Both Sides, Now" — Joni Mitchell 8 8 9 9 34 Safe
5
(Night 2) 		Cha-cha-cha "SexyBack" — Justin Timberlake, feat. Timbaland 8 8 8 8 32 Safe
Hustle & Lindy Hop
Marathon 		"Hot Stuff" — Donna Summer &
"Jump, Jive an' Wail" — The Brian Setzer Orchestra 		— 1[b]
6 Foxtrot "Feeling Good" — Michael Bublé 9 8 9 9 43[c] Safe
7 Paso doble "Bury a Friend" — Billie Eilish 8 8 9 9 34 Safe
Freestyle
(Team Scream) 		"Heads Will Roll" — Yeah Yeah Yeahs 10 9 10 10 39
8 Jazz "Enjoy the Silence" — Depeche Mode 10 9 10 10 39 Safe
Cha-cha-cha
(Dance relay) 		"Ice Ice Baby" — Vanilla Ice Loser 0[d]
9 Viennese waltz "Surprise Yourself" — Jack Garratt 9 8 9 9 35 Eliminated
Samba "Light It Up (Remix)" — Major Lazer, feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG 9 8 9 8 34
Notes
  1. ^ Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
  2. ^ Daniel and Britt received one point in this dance marathon.
  3. ^ Daniel and Britt also received a score of 8 from guest judge Michael Bublé.
  4. ^ Daniel and Britt received zero points for losing this dance relay.

Season 32

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Celebrity partner: Adrian Peterson

Week Dance Music Judges' scores[a] Total score Result
1 Salsa "Yeah!" — Usher 6 6 6 18 Safe
2 Samba "Taki Taki" — DJ Snake, feat. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B 5 5 5 15 Bottom two
3 Quickstep "You Can't Hurry Love" — The Supremes 9 8 8 34[b] Safe
4 Viennese waltz "Baby Mine" (from Dumbo) 7 7 7 21 Eliminated
Notes
  1. ^ Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
  2. ^ Adrian and Britt also received a score of 9 from guest judge Michael Strahan.

Season 33

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Celebrity partner: Eric Roberts

Week Dance Music Judges' scores[a] Total score Result
1 Cha-cha-cha "Old Time Rock and Roll" — Bob Seger 5 5 5 15 Safe
2 Waltz "Main Title (The Godfather Waltz)" — Nino Rota & Carlo Savina 6 4 5 15 Safe
3 Foxtrot "Let's Stay Together" — Al Green 7 5 6 24[b] Eliminated
Notes
  1. ^ Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
  2. ^ Eric and Britt also received a score of 6 from guest judge Rosie Perez.

Personal life

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From 2018 to 2020, Stewart dated actor Reid Fenlaw.[1][21] She confirmed her romantic relationship with her Dancing with the Stars season 31 partner Daniel Durant on Valentine's Day in 2023.[22] They announced their engagement on December 29, 2023.[23]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Bloom, Mike (August 18, 2020). "Here's Everything You Need to Know About Britt Stewart, Dancing with the Stars' First Black Female Main Pro Cast Member". Parade. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Hilton, Haley (August 22, 2021). "From High School Musical to Dancing with the Stars, Britt Stewart Can Conquer It All". Dance Magazine. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Gibson, Tammy (December 21, 2021). "Pro Dancer Britt Stewart Inspires and Break Barriers on DWTS". The Chicago Defender. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "Meet Britt Stewart, The First Black Female Pro on Dancing with the Stars". Dance Spirit. November 30, 2013. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Lee, Luaine (July 1, 2024). "TV Tinsel: Take in the Sights and Sounds as Ribeiro Hosts A Capitol Fourth". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024 – via Whittier Daily News.
  6. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (May 28, 2013). "If You Think You Can Dance, Keep It to Yourself". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on November 3, 2017. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  7. ^ Sanwari, Ahad (September 21, 2023). "DWTS' Britt Stewart on Making Show History, Plus Katy Perry, Rihanna Revelations". HELLO!. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "How Ballroom Can Improve Your Dancing in Any Style". Dance Spirit. April 28, 2021. Archived from the original on July 19, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  9. ^ Nardino, Meredith (August 19, 2020). "DWTS' Britt Stewart Reacts to Being the Show's 1st Black Female Pro". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  10. ^ Blackwelder, Carson (August 18, 2020). "Dancing With the Stars 2020: Meet season 29 pros including 1st Black female pro". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on August 19, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  11. ^ Blackwelder, Carson (September 14, 2020). "Dancing with the Stars 2020: Pairs for Season 29 Revealed". Good Morning America. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  12. ^ Stone, Natalie (November 16, 2020). "DWTS Double Elimination! Johnny Weir and Skai Jackson Sent Home During Season 29 Semifinals". People. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  13. ^ Nocera, Gianna (September 24, 2021). "Dancing With The Stars Season 30: Full List Of Dancing Couples". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  14. ^ Mizoguchi, Karen (September 27, 2021). "DWTS: Cobra Kai Star Martin Kove Is the First Contestant to Be Eliminated on Season 30". People. Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  15. ^ 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 September 8, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Longeretta, Emily (November 15, 2022). "Dancing With the Stars Season 31 Finalists Revealed After an Emotional Double Elimination". Variety. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  17. ^ Lenker, Maureen Lee (September 13, 2023). "Alyson Hannigan, Jason Mraz, and Adrian Peterson headline season 32 cast of Dancing With the Stars". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  18. ^ Alexander, Bryan (September 14, 2023). "DWTS fans decry Adrian Peterson casting due to NFL star's 2014 child abuse arrest". USA Today. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  19. ^ Longeretta, Emily (October 18, 2023). "Dancing With the Stars Disney Night: 10 Pairs Remain After a Controversial Celeb Is Sent Home". Variety. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  20. ^ Bloom, Mike (October 9, 2024). "Another Double Elimination! Who Went Home on the Dancing with the Stars in Week 3?". Parade. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  21. ^ Baki, Serene Abdul (November 23, 2020). "DWTS: What To Know About Britt Stewart's Dating History & Dancing Resume". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  22. ^ Wenger, Stephanie (February 14, 2023). "DWTS Pro Britt Stewart Reveals She's Dating Her Former Partner and CODA Star Daniel Durant". People. Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  23. ^ "'DWTS' Pro Britt Stewart and 'CODA' Star Daniel Durant Are Engaged (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
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