5 Dancing With The Stars Celebrity Competitors Who Deserve A Second Chance

Chloe Kern/Getty Images

We are weeks away from uncovering who the next Mirrorball champion will be on "Dancing With the Stars" Season 35, and the competition is tight. It's hard to tell who could walk away with the reality competition's top prize. After all, based on the last 20 years that the show has been on air, there have been both exciting wins and shocking eliminations.

Many of the celebrities who left their mark on the ballroom didn't win the trophy but rather captivated judges and audience members with their continued growth and dedication to learning a variety of dance styles. "Dancing With the Stars" pro Witney Carson gave TVLine a glimpse at what an average week of rehearsals entails, and it's no easy feat. Contestants have to learn a new dance days before they perform it live, so it is a big deal if they get perfect scores. 

The list below is filled with former contestants who delivered flawless performances but didn't win the coveted Mirrorball. From Milo Manheim to Simone Biles, these celebrities deserve a second shot in the ballroom if there were to be an all-star season.

Before Harry Shum Jr. could bust a move in "Dancing With the Stars" Season 35, his former "Glee" co-star Heather Morris got her chance in the ballroom. Fans of the Ryan Murphy series know that Shum Jr. and Morris played the most dance-experienced members of the Glee Club, and they've showcased their talents in the reality competition. The actor best known for playing Brittany S. Pierce joined "Dancing With the Stars" on Season 24, partnered with pro Maks Chmerkovskiy.

Despite her captivating performance and the challenges she overcame (including swapping dance partners after Chmerkovskiy got injured in Week 2), Morris didn't make it past Week 6. She was shockingly voted off after earning a perfect score for her rumba, which judge Len Goodman called "a knockout dance." 

The audience in attendance wasn't thrilled to see her go, especially because she finally showed the judges that she could deliver on a ballroom dance style rather than relying on her hip-hop and jazz training to get ahead. With a "Glee" revival in the works and Morris likely reprising her role, this would be the perfect time for her to be granted a second chance on the dance competition.

Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles juggled gymnastics and dance rehearsals in "Dancing With the Stars" Season 24, partnered with pro Sasha Farber. The athlete approached the reality competition with the same determination that she did her sport, receiving high scores throughout the season. 

The pressure was on during her Week 1 performance, which was a Tango to "Untouchable," by Tritonal and Cash Cash, featuring JHart (a song that didn't suit this particular dance style). Yet on the first try, she received praise from Len Goodman, who deemed it "the best dance of the night." 

Much like her fellow contestant Heather Morris, Biles was eliminated after receiving a perfect score. Her departure from the show was in the semifinals, meaning that viewers never had the chance to see what could've been an impeccable freestyle. Her elimination prompted a viral response from fans on social media, who launched the hashtag #JusticeForSimone in support of the gymnast. If "Dancing With the Stars" were to do another all-athlete season and bring former contestants back, Biles would be top of mind to join in.

It's safe to say that Milo Manheim had one of the most upsetting losses in "Dancing With the Stars" history. The "Zombies" alum made it to the Season 27 finals, delivering an epic freestyle only to end up in second place. He lost to radio personality Bobby Bones, who wasn't nearly as skillful on the dance floor as the Disney star. 

With the reality competition gaining a younger following through TikTok, maybe the results from Manheim's season would've played out differently if he were to compete now. Manheim has been cast as Flynn Ryder in the "Tangled" live-action film, set to be released in 2028, which will introduce him to audiences of all ages. 

While on "Dancing With the Stars," the actor proved he wasn't just about lifts and tricks; he could actually maintain his frame while performing ballroom dances and excel in contemporary. His Halloween contemporary to Britney Spears' "Toxic" remains a highlight from the reality competition. 

Another celebrity who made it to the finals but didn't take the trophy home was Riker Lynch. The R5 member lost to Rumer Willis in Season 20, and although the latter deserved to win, we can't help but wonder what it would be like if Lynch returned to the ballroom for round two. As a bassist in his family's band and a background singer and dancer on "Glee" (he had barely any lines on the show), Lynch finally took center stage while on "Dancing With the Stars." 

He and his pro partner, Allison Holker, had undeniable chemistry during their performances, with their "Pirates of the Caribbean" paso doble becoming so iconic that they performed it twice. Though he was usually flashing a smile during his dance numbers, his Jack Sparrow performance proved he could get into character and adopt the character's intimidating demeanor from start to finish. 

The R5 member made a guest appearance on "Dancing With the Stars" Season 27 for a salsa trio with Milo Manheim and Witney Carson, which showed audiences that he was still ballroom-ready. It's about time for Lynch to make an official "Dancing With the Stars" comeback and claim the Mirrorball. 

Unlike Simone Biles, Normani Kordei did make it to the finals and was close to winning the Mirrorball in Season 24. The Fifth Harmony member had a big following during her run on the show and proved to be a natural across dance styles. Much like Riker Lynch had the chance to stand out on his own through his participation in the reality competition, Kordei was finally given her flowers outside of being a member of a girl group. 

With several memorable performances, including her "Mulan"-inspired paso doble and her construction-themed freestyle, it's hard to believe that she and her pro partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, walked away empty-handed. When the singer returned to "Dancing With the Stars" for a surprise appearance in Jordan Chiles' freestyle in Season 34, fans of the show couldn't help but reminisce about her loss. 

Kordei had a remarkable trajectory on the show, defying every challenge that came her way. In Week 7, she battled a back injury that almost cost her her place in the competition. Even with a physical setback, the singer managed to wow the judges and receive a perfect score. If another all-star season is announced, it would be a mistake to not include her.