IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Before 'All Stars': See the 'Dancing' stars' most memorable moves

It's almost time for the highly anticipated "Dancing With the Stars" all-star season to kick off. Soon the returning celebs will hit the floor and show fans whether they've kept up their ballroom basics or just put their feet up since their last appearances on the show.But before those 13 spray-tanned and spangled stars take the stage again, a reminder is in order.Take a look at the contestants' m

It's almost time for the highly anticipated "Dancing With the Stars" all-star season to kick off. Soon the returning celebs will hit the floor and show fans whether they've kept up their ballroom basics or just put their feet up since their last appearances on the show.

But before those 13 spray-tanned and spangled stars take the stage again, a reminder is in order.

Take a look at the contestants' most memorable performances from their original runs on the show:

Kirstie Alley moved to "American Woman" alongside pro partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy in season 12. While the foxtrot earned the pair only 25 points, the costumes alone -- which in Maks' case, didn't amount to much, in a good way -- were well worth remembering.

Gilles Marini's steamy Argentine tango with partner Cheryl Burke earned them a perfect score back in season eight. It also earned Marini plenty of new fans.

When Drew Lachey put on his cowboy hat and spun pro Cheryl Burke around the dance floor to "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" in season two, he sealed his win. Not only was it a crowd pleaser at the time, "Dancing" fans later voted it their favorite dance of the series.

Gold medalist Shawn Johnson wowed the crowd with Mark Ballas when the two performed their high-stepping freestyle in season eight. The routine started out big on theatrics, but soon switched focus to the main moves.

Bristol Palin's most memorable dance with Mark Ballas was far from her best season 11 routine. But thanks to a couple of ape suits, it made quite a mark in the ballroom.

Who could forget Helio Castroneves hitting the stage in his banana yellow zoot suit? No one. Add to the fact that the racer was quickstepping alongside fan favorite Julianne Hough -- and planted quite the kiss on her -- during the performance and you have "Dancing" gold.

The romance in Pamela Anderson's rumba with Damian Whitewood in season 10 more than made up for any technical problems the dance had.

Joey Fatone channeled his inner John Travolta for his season four cha-cha-cha with Kym Johnson. Moving to the BeeGees' "You Should Be Dancing," Fatone obviously had fun.

The reason Sabrina Bryan's season six foxtrot is so memorable is because despite the strong performance she put on with partner Mark Ballas, it was the one that sent her home in what many consider "Dancing's" most shocking ballroom boot.

There was never a freestyle packed with more fun than Emmitt Smith's "U Can't Touch This" dance with Cheryl Burke in season three.

When gold-medal-winning speed skater Apolo Ohno performed the samba in season four with Julianne Hough, he impressed the judges, the crowd and his partner.

It's not that Melissa Rycroft's first dance was her best, but the season eight starter (with Tony Dovolani) ranks as memorable for another reason. While her fellow competitors had been training for weeks, the former "Bachelor" star came in as a last minute substitution for an injured Nancy O'Dell. She had only two days to prepare for her premiere waltz.

Back in season one, Kelly Monaco's finale freestyle with Alec Mazo showed just how far the show's first winner had come. She went from last place in week-one of the competition to first place when it counted the most.

Which returning star put on your favorite past performance? Tell us on our Facebook page.

 

Related content: