Brandon Armstrong (dancer)

Brandon Kelly Armstrong (born June 5, 1994)^[1] is an American professional Latin and ballroom dancer best known for his appearances on the reality competition series Dancing with the Stars.^[2]

Early life

Brandon Kelly Armstrong was born on June 5, 1994, in San Francisco, California. He identifies as mixed race; he is half African American and half Polynesian.^[3] Armstrong was adopted at birth by a white military family and was raised Mormon in Napa, California.^[4] He moved to Lehi, Utah and began dancing when he was twelve years old;^[5] he trained with Corky Ballas, Shirley Ballas, and Mark Ballas.^[4][6] After graduating from high school, Armstrong served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee.^[4]

Dancing with the Stars

Armstrong started working on the reality competition series Dancing with the Stars as a troupe member on season 24, and remained in that role until season 26.^[7] He was promoted to pro in season 27 and was partnered with singer-songwriter Tinashe.^[8][9] Despite consistently receiving high scores and praise from the judges, they were eliminated during the fourth week of competition on October 15, 2018, finishing in tenth place.^[10][11]

In season 28, Armstrong was partnered with Mary Wilson of the girl group the Supremes.^[12] They were the first couple to be eliminated from the season, finishing in twelfth place; Armstrong's lowest placement to date.^[13][14] In season 29, Armstrong was partnered with television host Jeannie Mai.^[15] They withdrew from the competition on November 2, 2020, after Mai was hospitalized for epiglottitis.^[16][17] In season 30, Armstrong was partnered with actress Kenya Moore.^[18] They were eliminated during the sixth week of competition on October 25, 2021, finishing in tenth place.^[19]

In season 31, Armstrong was partnered with singer-songwriter and actress Jordin Sparks.^[20] They were eliminated during the seventh week of competition on October 31, 2022, finishing in ninth place.^[21] For season 32, Armstrong was partnered with social media personality and singer Lele Pons.^[22] They were eliminated during the seventh week of competition on November 7, 2023, finishing in eighth place.^[23]

Armstrong had a breakthrough performance in season 33 with his partner, television actress and singer Chandler Kinney.^[24] Despite inconsistent remarks from the judges,^[25] especially from Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough,^[26] the couple earned both the highest cumulative points and the first perfect score, of the season.^[27][28] Armstrong and Kinney are the first Black couple in Dancing with the Stars history to advance to the finale.^[29][30] Their freestyle routine to "Hellzapoppin'" and "Move On Up" was the show's first performance to feature an ensemble cast of all-Black dancers.^[31] Armstrong and Kinney ultimately finished in third place on November 26, 2024; Armstrong's highest placement to date.^[32]

For season 34, Armstrong was partnered with Lauren Jauregui of the girl group Fifth Harmony.^[33] They were unexpectedly eliminated during the third week of competition on September 30, 2025, finishing in twelfth place.^[34]

Performances

Scores out of 40 are adjusted to a 30-point scale

Season 27 with celebrity partner Tinashe

Season 28 with celebrity partner Mary Wilson

Season 29 with celebrity partner Jeannie Mai

Notes

1. ^ Despite originally being saved by the judges, Jeannie and Brandon withdrew before week 8 due to her being hospitalized for epiglottitis.
2. ^ Due to Derek Hough's absence, scores were given on a 30 point scale.
3. ^ Jordin and Brandon received 3 bonus points from the dance marathon.
4. ^ Jordin and Brandon also received a score of 9 from guest judge Michael Bublé.
5. ^ Lele and Brandon also received a score of 7 from guest judge Michael Strahan.
6. ^ Lele and Brandon also received a score of 8 from guest judge Niecy Nash-Betts.
7. ^ Lele and Brandon received 4 bonus points from the dance marathon.
8. ^ Lele and Brandon also received a score of 8 from guest judge Paula Abdul.
9. ^ The team dance also received a score of 10 from guest judge Paula Abdul.
10. ^ Chandler and Brandon also received a score of 9 from guest judge Rosie Perez.
11. ^ Chandler and Brandon also received a score of 9 from guest judge Gene Simmons.
12. ^ Chandler and Brandon also received a score of 8 from guest judge Mark Ballas.
13. ^ Due to Carrie Ann Inaba's absence, scores were given on a 20 point scale.

Season 30 with celebrity partner Kenya Moore

Notes

Season 31 with celebrity partner Jordin Sparks

Notes

Season 32 with celebrity partner Lele Pons

Notes

Season 33 with celebrity partner Chandler Kinney

Notes

Season 34 with celebrity partner Lauren Jauregui

Notes

Personal life

Armstrong began dating social media manager Brylee Ivers in 2021 after meeting through Instagram.^[35] They got engaged on March 7, 2022,^[36][37] and were married on July 30, 2022, in the mountains of Draper, Utah.^[38][39]

References

1. ^ Ivers, Brylee (June 5, 2022). "Happy birthday to my love @brandonarmstrong 🫶🏼 The day I met him, my life changed forever! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world because I get to marry him & celebrate the rest of our birthdays together. I love you the most B!". Retrieved June 5, 2022.
2. ^ "Meet the new Dancing With the Stars pro dancer Brandon Armstrong". Good Morning America. September 11, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
3. ^ Kinney, Chandler (September 6, 2024). "TEAM CHAN & BRAN YAP SESH #1 👯🗣️". Retrieved December 3, 2024.
4. ^ Vulpis, Joe (October 2, 2024). "Brandon Armstrong & Chandler Kinney of Dancing with the Stars! Weekly Recap, Wife, and Tabloids". Lightweights Podcast with Joe Vulpis. YouTube. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
5. ^ Parkinson, Emily (January 22, 2013). "Celebrity dancers come to Provo's Covey Center". BYU Daily Universe. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
6. ^ Fernandes, Aurelia (September 20, 2021). "DWTS: Brandon Armstrong's track record and his training under show pro Mark Ballas". MEAWW. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
7. ^ Bobic, Chrissy (October 2, 2018). "Brandon Armstrong Is The New Pro On DWTS This Season". Romper. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
8. ^ Dugan Ramirez, Christina (September 12, 2018). "Dancing with the Stars Unveils Season 27 Cast — Find Out Who's Competing!". People. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
9. ^ Seemayer, Zee (September 23, 2018). "DWTS: Tinashe and Pro Brandon Armstrong on Their Competitive Drive to Win the Mirrorball Trophy (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
10. ^ Oliverius, Jacquie (October 16, 2018). "Dancing With the Stars: Tinashe shockingly eliminated". The Mercury News. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
11. ^ Seemayer, Zee (October 15, 2018). "Tinashe Reacts to Shocking Dancing With the Stars Elimination: 'We Did Our Best' (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
12. ^ Longeretta, Emily (September 17, 2019). "Dancing With the Stars Season 28 Partners Revealed". Us Weekly. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
13. ^ Feighan, Maureen (September 23, 2019). "Former Supreme Mary Wilson eliminated on Dancing With The Stars". The Detroit News. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
14. ^ "Supreme Mary Wilson Performs Cha-Cha, Eliminated from 'Dancing With the Stars': Watch". Billboard. 2019-09-24. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
15. ^ Blackwelder, Carson (September 24, 2020). "Dancing with the Stars 2020: Pairs for season 29 revealed". Good Morning America. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
16. ^ McRady, Rachel (November 2, 2020). "Jeannie Mai's Dancing With the Stars Partner Brandon Armstrong Posts Sweet Message After Her Exit". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
17. ^ Carras, Christi (November 2, 2020). "The Real host Jeannie Mai exits Dancing With the Stars due to health scare". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
18. ^ Nocera, Gianna (September 24, 2021). "Dancing With The Stars Season 30: Full List Of Dancing Couples". ScreenRant. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
19. ^ Duncan, Gabrielle (October 25, 2021). "DWTS : Real Housewives Star Kenya Moore Eliminated from Season 30 on Horror Night". People. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
20. ^ Dugan Ramirez, Christina (September 8, 2022). "Dancing with the Stars: Teresa Giudice, Wayne Brady, Selma Blair and More Celebs Join Season 31". People. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
21. ^ Schepp, Calie (October 31, 2022). "Halloween night shakes up Dancing With the Stars leaderboard". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
22. ^ "Dancing with the Stars Cha Chas Back to the Ballroom for Season 32 with an All-New Celebrity Cast". ABC. September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023. – via The Futon Critic
23. ^ Emily Longeretta (November 7, 2023). "Dancing With the Stars: Boy-Banders Crash Music Video Night — Plus, an Elimination Leaves the Judges Stunned". Variety. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
24. ^ Lenker, Maureen Lee (September 6, 2024). "See the first couple shots of the Dancing With the Stars season 33 duos". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
25. ^ Grebenyuk, Yana (October 16, 2024). "Chandler Kinney Questions What DWTS Judges Expect From Her". Us Weekly. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
26. ^ Olson, Samantha (October 31, 2024). "Chandler Kinney Is "A Little Frustrated" With Carrie Ann Inaba's Dancing With the Stars Critiques". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
27. ^ Knolle, Sharon (October 23, 2024). "Dancing With the Stars Week 6: Deadpool & Wolverine Fight-Inspired Routine Steals the Show on Disney Night". TheWrap. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
28. ^ "Chandler Kinney, Brandon Armstrong earn season's 1st perfect scores on 'Dancing with the Stars'". ABC30 Fresno. 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
29. ^ Kinney, Chandler (November 21, 2024). "this is exactly how I replay this moment in my head :,) WE MADE IT TO THE FINALE!!!!! truly feels UNREAL. not only is this Brandon’s first time making it to the finale, but we’re also the first ever black couple in 33 seasons to make it to the DWTS finale!!! so many special firsts that I’m beyond honored and proud to be a part of. 🖤 still pinching myself. let’s go out with a bang, @brandonarmstrong :))". Retrieved November 23, 2024.
30. ^ LaCapria, Kim (November 23, 2024). "Chandler And Brandon Just Made DWTS History, And We're So Excited". TheThings. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
31. ^ Baker, Kamrin (November 27, 2024). "Dancing with the Stars finalists perform first-ever all-Black ensemble dance in show's history". Good Good Good. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
32. ^ Campione, Katie (November 26, 2024). "Dancing With The Stars Season 33 Finale Recap: Who Wins The Mirrorball Trophy?". Deadline. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
33. ^ Rice, Lynette (September 3, 2025). "Dancing With The Stars Cast Reveal: Hilaria Baldwin, Andy Richter & Corey Feldman To Compete In Season 34". Deadline Hollywood. Archived September 3, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
34. ^ McKinley Franklin (September 30, 2025). "Dancing With the Stars Ends TikTok Night With an Unexpected Elimination: See the Scores, Who Went Home". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
35. ^ Dugan Ramirez, Christina (March 8, 2022). "DWTS Pro Brandon Armstrong Is Engaged to Girlfriend Brylee Ivers: 'I'm Excited for Our Future'". People. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
36. ^ Grebenyuk, Yana (March 9, 2022). "Dancing With the Stars Pro Brandon Armstrong Is Engaged to Girlfriend Brylee Ivers: Stars React". Us Weekly. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
37. ^ McRady, Rachel (March 9, 2022). "Dancing With the Stars Pro Brandon Armstrong Is Engaged to Girlfriend Brylee Ivers -- See the Ring!". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
38. ^ Dugan Ramirez, Christina (July 30, 2022). "DWTS Pro Brandon Armstrong Marries Brylee Ivers in Romantic Utah Wedding". People. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
39. ^ Heller, Corinne (July 31, 2022). "Dancing With the Stars Brandon Armstrong Marries Brylee Ivers". E! Online. Retrieved August 1, 2022.

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