Cha-cha-cha

Category: International Latin
Also known as: Cha-cha, Cha Cha Cha
DWTS performances in dataset: 394
Average total score: 22.67
First appearance: Season 1, Week 1 — Joey & Ashly (Crazy in Love)
Lift rule on DWTS: Not allowed (core ballroom/Latin style on DWTS).

Origins and history

The cha-cha-chá grew out of Cuban danzón-mambo in Havana in the early 1950s. Composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín, working with Orquesta América, wrote melodies with a clearer downbeat so social dancers could keep up; dancers answered with a triple-step shuffle that sounded like “cha-cha-chá.” The first recorded cha-cha sides, including “La Engañadora,” were released in 1953 on Panart and the craze spread through Mexico, Latin America, the U.S. and Europe by the mid-1950s. Ballroom syllabi later standardized International and American Rhythm versions.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Cha-cha-cha (dance) — Origins via Jorrín / Orquesta América; International technique overview
• World DanceSport Federation: WDSF Competition Rules — tempi (E.3.2) — Cha-Cha-Cha 30–32 bars/min
• Wikipedia: List of DanceSport dances — Latin category placement and tempi
• Walter Laird / International Dance Publications: The Laird Technique of Latin Dancing — Classic International Latin technique reference

How it is danced

Aspect	Detail
Time signature	4/4
Tempo (MPM)	30–32 (WDSF)
Tempo (BPM, approx.)	120–128
Character	Playful, syncopated, compact footwork with Cuban hip action; the triple-step "cha-cha-cha" shuffle gives the dance its onomatopoeic name.
Hold / frame	Open and closed Latin holds; partners often dance apart with connected hands; frame is looser than Standard.
Basic steps & figures	Checked forward/back rock on beats 2–3, then a cha-cha chassé on 4-&-1 (International). American Rhythm often starts with a side step on 1. Compact steps; heel rarely fully lowers on Latin walks.
What judges look for	Clear cha-cha timing (not salsa timing), sharp Cuban motion, clean chassés, compact footwork, playful musicality without illegal lifts (core Latin style).

Competition tempi cite WDSF Competition Rules E.3.2 and related DanceSport charts where applicable; theatrical styles are song-driven.

History on Dancing with the Stars

Statistics below are computed from the Data with the Stars SQLite performance and score tables (not invented).

• Times danced: 394
• Score range: 9.0 – 40.0 (total judges’ score as stored)
• Perfect nights (every judging mark = 10): 15

Average score by era

Era	Performances	Average total
S1-10	93	22.07
S11-20	124	23.68
S21-30	117	23.01
S31+	60	21.22

Best scores

• 40.0 — S18 W9: James & Peta — Love Never Felt So Good (Michael Jackson)
• 38.0 — S19 W8: Alfonso & Witney — Trust (Prince)
• 37.0 — S21 W5: Bindi & Val — Hold My Hand (Jess Glynne)
• 37.0 — S32 W7: Ariana & Pasha — I'm a Slave 4 U (Britney Spears)
• 37.0 — S34 W9: Jordan & Ezra — Get Up (Ciara , feat. Chamillionaire)

Lowest scores

• 9.0 — S34 W1: Andy & Emma — Hold On, I'm Comin'
• 10.0 — S34 W1: Dylan & Daniella — Milkshake
• 10.0 — S34 W1: Baron & Britt — U Can't Touch This
• 10.0 — S35 W1: Guillermo & Witney — Mr. Big Stuff
• 12.0 — S2 W1: Master P & Ashly — I Want You Back

First perfect nights (all marks 10)

• S3 W9: Emmitt & Cheryl — Dance to the Music (total 30.0, 3 judges)
• S4 W9: Laila & Maks — She's a Lady (total 30.0, 3 judges)
• S5 W9: Jennie & Derek — Mustang Sally (total 30.0, 3 judges)
• S5 W9: Hélio & Julianne — Love Rollercoaster (total 30.0, 3 judges)
• S6 W10: Kristi & Mark — Dancing on the Ceiling (total 30.0, 3 judges)

Most-used songs

• Respect — Aretha Franklin (5×)
• Dancing on the Ceiling — Lionel Richie (4×)
• Raise Your Glass — Pink (4×)
• Fun — Pitbull feat. Chris Brown (4×)
• Hot Stuff — Donna Summer (3×)
• P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) — Michael Jackson (3×)
• Old Time Rock and Roll — Bob Seger (3×)
• Forget You — Cee Lo Green (3×)

Charts

• Data CSV: data/cha-cha-cha-by-season.csv
• SVG: charts/cha-cha-cha-frequency.svg, charts/cha-cha-cha-score-trend.svg

Watch top performances

• Jordan Chiles’ 20th Birthday Party Cha Cha | Dancing with the Stars — S34 W9, score 37.0, Get Up
• dwts brandon and chandler Salsa dancing with the stars — S33 W3, score 36.0, It's Tricky
• DWTS’ Brooks Nader, Gleb Savchenko dish on pole dancing rehearsals and steamy chemistry — S33 W3, score 33.0, Nothin' But a Good Time
• Charli D'Amelio and Mark Ballas Freestyle (Week 10 - Finale) | Dancing With The Stars on Disney+ — S31 W1, score 32.0, Savage (Major Lazer Remix)
• Former Bachelor Joey Graziadei Wins ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 33 Mirrorball Trophy — S33 W9, score 30.0, Can't Stop the Feeling!

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Educational fan reference. Dance histories paraphrased from cited sources; DWTS stats from project data. Not affiliated with BBC Studios or Disney.