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The Unstoppable Rise: Who Won DWTS Juniors And Where Are They Now In 2025?

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The single season of Dancing With The Stars: Juniors captivated audiences with a fresh, pint-sized take on the iconic ballroom competition, and the winner's life has since exploded onto the global stage in a way no one could have predicted. The show, which aired in 2018, crowned a champion who has gone on to achieve monumental success in an entirely different, high-octane sport, making their victory a fascinating footnote in an already incredible career. This article, updated for late 2025, reveals the surprising winner, details the fierce competition they faced, and tracks the current, high-profile projects of the entire cast, from Olympic medals to major music careers.

The junior spin-off was a unique moment in the *DWTS* franchise, pairing young celebrity contestants with junior professional dancers, all mentored by adult *DWTS* pros. The competition was fierce, but the ultimate victor proved that the drive and focus needed for a Mirrorball Trophy are the same qualities that lead to world-class achievement.

The Champions: Sky Brown and JT Church

The inaugural, and to date only, season of Dancing With The Stars: Juniors concluded on December 9, 2018, with a surprising and emotional win. The celebrity and junior pro who lifted the coveted Junior Mirrorball Trophy were:

  • Celebrity Winner: Sky Brown
  • Junior Professional Winner: JT Church
  • Mentor: Alan Bersten

The winning pair, Sky Brown and JT Church, captured the hearts of viewers with their infectious energy and Sky's remarkable growth, considering she had virtually no prior dance experience. Their journey, mentored by *DWTS* professional Alan Bersten, culminated in a spectacular finale performance that sealed their victory over two other highly talented finalists.

Sky Brown: From Mirrorball to Olympic Medals (2025 Update)

Sky Brown's life post-DWTS: Juniors has been nothing short of extraordinary, making her one of the most successful reality TV winners in recent history. Her primary focus is not on the dance floor but on the world of extreme sports, where she is a global phenomenon.

  • Full Name: Sky Brown
  • Date of Birth: July 7, 2008
  • Hometown: Miyazaki, Japan (Represents Great Britain in competition)
  • Primary Career: Professional Skateboarder and Surfer
  • DWTS Juniors Age: 10 years old (at time of win)
  • Major Achievements (Post-DWTS):
    • Olympic Bronze Medalist: Park Skateboarding at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021), making her Great Britain's youngest-ever medalist.
    • Olympic Bronze Medalist: Park Skateboarding at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics.
    • World Champion: Women's Park Skateboarding (2023).
    • X Games: Two-time X Games Women's Skateboard Park Gold Medalist.
    • Music: Made her DJ debut at the X Games in 2024.
  • Current Status (2025): Continues to compete at the highest level in skateboarding and is a major global ambassador for the sport, often discussing her dual quest to compete in both surfing and skateboarding at the Olympics.

Her ability to transition from a demanding ballroom competition to becoming a multi-time Olympic medalist showcases an unparalleled level of dedication and athletic versatility. Her DWTS: Juniors win is now a fascinating early chapter in a career defined by breaking boundaries.

JT Church: The Junior Pro's Journey

JT Church, the talented junior professional partner, has also continued his career in the performing arts. His partnership with Sky was lauded for his patience and ability to teach a non-dancer.

  • Role on DWTS Juniors: Junior Professional Dancer
  • Mentor: Alan Bersten
  • Post-Show Career: JT has remained active in the dance and theatre world.
  • Recent Projects (2025): He has been involved in major productions, with mentions of him taking on roles in theatrical works like *West Side Story* in 2025. He has also been credited for appearances in Hallmark Channel movies, demonstrating his versatility across different entertainment mediums.

The Fierce Finalists: Where Are They Now?

The road to the Junior Mirrorball was highly competitive. The finale featured three incredible couples, all of whom have since carved out significant careers in the entertainment industry. Their post-show success highlights the platform that DWTS: Juniors provided.

Kenzie Ziegler (Finalist)

Mackenzie "Kenzie" Ziegler, the former star of *Dance Moms*, was a favorite from the start, partnered with Sage Rosen and mentored by Gleb Savchenko. She finished as a runner-up and has since fully transitioned into a successful musical artist.

  • DWTS Juniors Partner: Sage Rosen
  • Mentor: Gleb Savchenko
  • Primary Career: Singer-songwriter, known professionally as kenzie.
  • Recent Projects (2024–2025): Kenzie is deeply focused on her music career. She released new singles in 2024, such as "Biting My Tongue," and has been touring, including opening for artists like Mark Ambor. She is actively working on her next album, using music as a form of personal therapy and expression.
  • Topical Entity: *Dance Moms*, *Total Eclipse*, Pop Music.

Her journey from reality TV dancer to professional recording artist demonstrates a shrewd pivot in her career, leveraging her existing fanbase for a new artistic endeavor.

Miles Brown (Finalist)

Miles Brown, best known as Jack Johnson on the hit sitcom *Black-ish*, was partnered with Rylee Arnold and mentored by Lindsay Arnold. He brought his signature hip-hop style to the ballroom, finishing in the final three.

  • DWTS Juniors Partner: Rylee Arnold
  • Mentor: Lindsay Arnold
  • Primary Career: Actor, Rapper, and Musician.
  • Recent Projects (2024–2025): While his main show *Black-ish* concluded its run, Miles has continued his acting career, making appearances on the spin-off *Grown-ish*. Crucially, he has been focusing heavily on his music, releasing his debut album and new singles like "We The Future," showcasing his talent as a rapper and musician.
  • Topical Entity: *Black-ish*, *Grown-ish*, Hip-Hop.

The DWTS Juniors Ecosystem: Hosts and Judges

A key part of the show's topical authority lay in its connection to the main Dancing With The Stars show, featuring a panel of expert judges and hosts who were already beloved by the franchise's fanbase.

The Judges

The judging panel brought a mix of professional dance expertise and *DWTS* history:

  • Val Chmerkovskiy: A fan-favorite professional dancer and two-time winner of *DWTS*. He continues to be a core figure on the main show.
  • Mandy Moore: An Emmy Award-winning choreographer, celebrated for her work on *La La Land* and *DWTS*. She remains one of the most respected choreographers in Hollywood.
  • Adam Rippon: The Olympic figure skater and *DWTS* Season 26 winner. He has since become a popular television personality and commentator.

The Hosts

The show was hosted by two former *DWTS* contestants, providing a relatable presence for the young cast:

  • Jordan Fisher: Actor, singer, and *DWTS* Season 25 winner. He is a prominent Broadway and television star.
  • Frankie Muniz: Actor known for *Malcolm in the Middle* and *DWTS* Season 25 runner-up. He has since pursued a career in professional racing.

The Legacy of DWTS Juniors

While Dancing With The Stars: Juniors only ran for a single season, its impact on the careers of its young cast members is undeniable. The show served as a powerful launchpad, teaching the contestants discipline, stage presence, and the ability to perform under pressure—skills that have directly contributed to their subsequent success in the arts, music, and sports.

The ultimate champion, Sky Brown, stands as the perfect example of this legacy. Her victory with JT Church was a testament to her raw talent and work ethic, qualities that have propelled her to the pinnacle of global sports in the years that followed. For fans of the show, the 2018 season remains a memorable chapter in the broader DWTS universe, a showcase of young talent whose stars continue to rise dramatically in 2025 and beyond.

The show's single season has become a unique piece of television history, proving that even a brief run can produce champions and stars who go on to achieve world-class status.

Other Notable Entities and Contestants from DWTS Juniors Season 1:

  • Addison Osta Smith: *MasterChef Junior* winner, first eliminated.
  • Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson: Reality TV star.
  • Ariana Greenblatt: Actress (*Avengers: Infinity War*, *Barbie*).
  • Mandla Morris: Son of Stevie Wonder.
  • Akash Vukoti: Spelling Bee prodigy.
  • Sophia Pippen: Daughter of NBA star Scottie Pippen.
  • Miles Brown's Pro Partner: Rylee Arnold (sister of Lindsay Arnold).
  • Kenzie Ziegler's Pro Partner: Sage Rosen.
  • The Junior Mirrorball Trophy: The ultimate prize.
  • ABC: The network that aired the show.
  • Junior Professional Dancers: Lev Cameron, Kameron Couch, Hailey Bills.
The Unstoppable Rise: Who Won DWTS Juniors and Where Are They Now in 2025?
who won dwts juniors
who won dwts juniors

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