General Hospital and Kelly Monaco fans were in for quite a treat tuning into the Dancing with the Stars 20th anniversary special, which premiered on November 11. Why? Because Monaco herself was in attendance, making a brief but beautiful return to television for the legion of fans who’ve been missing her on their screens.
Kelly Monaco on DWTS 20th
Though her moment was short, it was a special one. Fans have been longing to see her ever since her General Hospital character, Sam McCall, was killed off just over a year ago in November 2024. After all, these are the same devoted fans who went all out, paying for billboards, running mobile displays, and launching campaigns, all in hopes of seeing Kelly back in Port Charles.
And since Monaco is known to be a rare poster on social media, her appearance on DWTS was a much-welcome surprise. But really, could a milestone like this go on without her? Not a chance. After all, Kelly was the very first Mirrorball champion, winning Season 1 back in 2005. She even returned in the show’s fifteenth season for another shot at the trophy in 2012, ultimately finishing in third place.
Dancing with the Stars Turns 20
The 20th anniversary episode was a full-on celebration; two decades of dazzling dances, unforgettable performances, and plenty of nostalgia.
Former host Tom Bergeron returned to the ballroom as a guest judge, and the episode kicked off with a party-packed opening number choreographed by Derek Hough, set to a reimagined live version of the DWTS theme by Ray Chew.
The number brought together current pros, troupe members, and six original pros from Season 1: Alec Mazo, Ashly DelGrosso, Louis van Amstel, Jonathan Roberts, Charlotte Jorgensen, and Edyta Śliwińska.
The show also took a heartfelt pause to honor the beloved DWTS performers who’ve passed away, featuring a moving performance to “Always Remember Us This Way” by Lady Gaga, choreographed and performed by Ezra Sosa and Rylee Arnold.
In the first round, each couple showcased a new style inspired by iconic freestyle performances from past seasons.
Later came the fan-favorite Relay Dance competition, where pairs split a song in half, one couple performing the first part, another finishing it, with the judges awarding two bonus points to the winners.
This season’s twist? For the first time ever, celebrities danced without their pro partners, teaming up instead with returning Mirrorball champs for Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, or Jive routines.
The Lineup
As a result of their top scores the previous week, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas earned immunity and automatically received two bonus points.
Here’s the lineup for the night:
- Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy — Foxtrot to “Singin’ in the Rain” by Matthew Morrison
- Robert Irwin & Witney Carson — Foxtrot to “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis
- Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas — Argentine Tango to “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago
- Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach — Argentine Tango to “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers
- Andy Richter & Emma Slater — Quickstep to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Robbie Williams
- Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten — Salsa to “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
- Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa — Cha Cha to “Get Up” by Ciara ft. Chamillionaire
The hit series, co-hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, pairs celebrities with professional dancers to compete in themed routines judged by Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough.
If you missed the episode, be sure to catch the replay, and don’t skip the end of the opening number. You’ll spot Kelly Monaco in the audience, clapping and smiling — a moment that still managed to make fans’ hearts dance.
Photo Credit: Disney/Eric McCandless
Key Takeaways
- Kelly Monaco made a surprise appearance at the Dancing with the Stars 20th anniversary special, delighting fans who missed her since her character’s exit from General Hospital.
- The episode celebrated two decades of DWTS, featuring former host Tom Bergeron and a performance honoring passed contestants.
- Contestants showcased dances inspired by past seasons, with a new twist allowing celebrities to team up with previous Mirrorball champions.
- The episode included memorable performances, including a heartfelt tribute to deceased cast members and a fun Relay Dance competition.
Follow Soap Opera News on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, spoilers, recaps, interviews, and more.
Leave a Reply