Brandon Armstrong (dancer)
Brandon Kelly Armstrong 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.''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. 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.
| 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 |
Scores out of 40 are adjusted to a 30-point scale
Season 27
'''Celebrity partner: Tinashe'''Season 28
'''Celebrity partner: Mary Wilson'''Season 29
Celebrity partner: Jeannie Mai'''Notes'''
Season 30
Celebrity partner: Kenya Moore'''Notes'''
Season 31
Celebrity partner: Jordin Sparks'''Notes'''
Season 32
Celebrity partner: Lele Pons'''Notes'''
Season 33
Celebrity partner: Chandler Kinney'''Notes'''
Season 34
Celebrity partner: Lauren Jauregui'''Notes'''