Encyclopedia

Rumba

242 performances · avg 26.30

Stats

Rumba

242
Performances
26.30
Avg total

Charts

Rumba performances per season
Frequency by season · SVG · CSV
Rumba average score trend
Score trend · SVG

Article

Rumba

Category: International Latin
Also known as: International rumba, Cuban rumba (distinct folk form)
DWTS performances in dataset: 242
Average total score: 26.3
First appearance: Season 1, Week 2 — Rachel & Jonathan (I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing)
Lift rule on DWTS: Not allowed (core ballroom/Latin style on DWTS).

Origins and history

Ballroom rumba is based largely on the Cuban son rather than the folkloric rumba complex. Britannica describes it as an Afro-Cuban-derived couple dance that became an international ballroom staple in the early 20th century, known for subtle side-to-side hip movement with an erect torso. International Latin timing counts 2-3-4-1 with a slow on 4-1.

Sources

How it is danced

Aspect Detail
Time signature 4/4
Tempo (MPM) 25–27 (WDSF)
Tempo (BPM, approx.) 100–108
Character Slow, romantic “dance of love”; continuous Cuban motion; delayed weight transfer.
Hold / frame Latin holds; intimate storytelling between partners.
Basic steps & figures Basic movements, cucarachas, hockey stick, New York, spot turns, sliding doors, spiral. Weight settles late; hips finish after the foot.
What judges look for Cuban motion, delayed weight, emotional connection, clean lines; no lifts. Note: American Rhythm rumba timing differs.

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: 242
  • Score range: 13.0 – 46.0 (total judges’ score as stored)
  • Perfect nights (every judging mark = 10): 14

Average score by era

Era Performances Average total
S1-10 73 23.94
S11-20 76 26.9
S21-30 59 27.15
S31+ 34 28.56

Best scores

  • 46.0 — S31 W6: Gabby & Val — ?
  • 40.0 — S17 W10: Corbin & Karina — My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up) (Fall Out Boy)
  • 40.0 — S20 W8: Rumer & Val — Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (Doris Day)
  • 40.0 — S21 W6: Bindi & Derek — (I've Had) The Time of My Life (Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes)
  • 40.0 — S24 W6: Heather & Maks — Waterfalls (TLC)

Lowest scores

  • 13.0 — S4 W5: Clyde & Elena — What's Going On
  • 16.0 — S7 W2: Rocco & Karina — You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine
  • 16.0 — S8 W6: Steve-O & Lacey — Fall for You
  • 17.0 — S1 W2: Kelly & Alec — Hero
  • 17.0 — S2 W2: Tatum & Nick — Careless Whisper

First perfect nights (all marks 10)

  • S3 W9: Joey & Edyta — Eternal Flame (total 30.0, 3 judges)
  • S5 W6: Mel & Maks — A Woman's Worth (total 30.0, 3 judges)
  • S11 W8: Jennifer & Derek — Waiting for a Girl Like You (total 30.0, 3 judges)
  • S12 W9: Chelsea & Mark — Eyes on Fire (total 30.0, 3 judges)
  • S15 W6: Sabrina & Louis — Wanted (total 30.0, 3 judges)

Most-used songs

  • I Will Always Love You — Whitney Houston (3×)
  • Hero — Enrique Iglesias (2×)
  • Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps — Doris Day (2×)
  • Total Eclipse of the Heart — Bonnie Tyler (2×)
  • Midnight Train to Georgia — Gladys Knight & the Pips (2×)
  • The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face — Roberta Flack (2×)
  • I Can't Make You Love Me — Bonnie Raitt (2×)
  • Sexual Healing — Marvin Gaye (2×)

Charts

Frequency

Score trend

Watch top performances

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

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