Brandon Armstrong

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

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. Armstrong was adopted at birth by a white military family and was raised Mormon in Napa, California. He moved to Lehi, Utah and began dancing when he was twelve years old; he trained with Corky Ballas, Shirley Ballas, and Mark Ballas. 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. He was promoted to pro in season 27 and was partnered with singer-songwriter Tinashe. 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.

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

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

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

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

Performances Season Partner Place 27 Tinashe 10th 28 Mary Wilson 12th 29 Jeannie Mai 9th 30 Kenya Moore 10th 31 Jordin Sparks 9th 32 Lele Pons 8th 33 Chandler Kinney 3rd 34 Lauren Jauregui 12th 35 Ciara Miller TBD 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