Rycroft took the place of then-Access Hollywood host Nancy O'Dell on the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars after O'Dell withdrew from the competition due to an injury sustained during pre-season practice. Rycroft was partnered with professional dancer Tony Dovolani. She tied for second place for week one's performances. On May 19, 2009, Rycroft finished third on the Dancing with the Stars finale. Rycroft consistently astonished judges and audiences alike with her seemingly endless energy and agility.
Rycroft returned to the show in its fifteenth season as one of the "All-Stars" contestants. She was again partnered with Tony Dovolani. This time, Rycroft and Dovolani became the season champions on the November 27, 2012 results show, winning the coveted mirror ball trophy.
Dancing with the Stars Performances
| Week # | Dance/Song | Judges' score | Result | ||
| Inaba | Goodman | Tonioli | |||
| 1 | Foxtrot/ "Big Spender" | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | Safe |
| 2 | Jive / "Shout" | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 | Safe |
| 3 | Samba / "Conga" | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | Safe |
| 4 | Jitterbug / "This Cat's On A Hot Tin Roof" | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.5* / 9.5 | Safe |
| 5 | Tango / "Toxic" Team Freestyle (Shawn) / "Call Me Maybe" |
9.0 9.5 |
9.0 10.0 |
9.0 10.0 |
No Elimination |
| 6 | Viennese Waltz / "Why Ya Wanna" Group Country Western / "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" & "I Play Chicken with a Train" |
9.5 No |
10.0 Scores |
10.0 Given |
Safe |
| 7 | Tango & Cha-Cha-Cha / "Die Young" Swing Marathon / "Do Your Thing" |
10.0 Awarded |
9.5 10 |
9.5 Points |
No Elimination |
| 8 | Quickstep / "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" Paso Doble (Trio Challenge) / "Rumour Has It" |
10.0 10.0 |
10.0 10.0 |
10.0 10.0 |
Safe |
| 9 | Hustle / "Walk the Dinosaur" Argentine Tango / Dirty Diana |
9.0 10.0 |
9.5 10.0 |
9.0 10.0 |
Safe |
| 10 | Samba / "Conga" Freestyle / I Was Here Instant Samba / "Life Is A Highway" |
10.0 10.0 9.5 |
10.0 10.0 9.5 |
10.0 10.0 9.5 |
Winners |
Read more about this topic: Melissa Rycroft