The 2026 American Reality TV Awards (ARTAS) recently announced its nominees, and Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) earned a nomination for Outstanding Competition Show. After a season filled with unforgettable performances, emotional moments, and intense backstage drama, this recognition highlights why DWTS remains a major player in the world of Reality TV.
Fans can vote until Thursday, January 8, 2026, by texting ARTAS to 76626 or visiting the official voting site. The nomination comes after a season that saw celebrities push their limits, endure heartbreak, and forge new bonds on the dance floor.
DWTS Season 34: Emotion, Tension, and Triumph
Season 34 of DWTS was packed with excitement, drama, and heart-wrenching moments. The cast brought a mix of celebrities from all walks of life, including athletes, social media stars, actors, and musicians. The full roster featured Robert Irwin, Alix Earle, Jordan Chiles, Dylan Efron, Elaine Hendrix, Corey Feldman, Hilaria Baldwin, Jen Affleck, Whitney Leavitt, Scott Hoying, Danielle Fishel, Baron Davis, Lauren Jauregui, and Andy Richter, all paired with experienced professional dancers.
The season became an emotional rollercoaster, with several contestants breaking down during rehearsals and live shows.
- Heartbreak and perseverance: Alix Earle shared that she felt emotionally drained yet pushed through every rehearsal and performance, even when critics questioned her commitment. Her journey reflected resilience and growth.
- Raw vulnerability on stage: Multiple couples delivered near-perfect routines, some earning the coveted perfect scores, highlighting their hard work and dedication.
- Champion’s journey: Robert Irwin overcame physical challenges and nerves to deliver a deeply personal finale performance, dedicating a dance to his late father. The heartfelt routine earned him the Mirrorball Trophy and left both judges and viewers in tears.
- Backstage tension: Rumors circulated of stressful moments during rehearsals, but cast and crew emphasized that the energy was fueled by passion, hard work, and friendly competition rather than negativity.
This blend of triumph, emotion, and drama solidified DWTS’s reputation as a show that delivers not just entertainment but genuine human stories — the kind of storytelling that ARTAS aims to honor.
Why DWTS Deserves the 2026 ARTAS Nomination
This nomination is a recognition of the show’s technical excellence, emotional depth, and cultural impact. Season 34 exemplified everything that makes DWTS a standout:
- A diverse cast blending celebrities from different industries and backgrounds
- Emotionally charged performances that tested skill and storytelling
- High-quality production values, including choreography, lighting, and musical arrangements
- Backstage camaraderie that reinforced the show’s core values of teamwork, perseverance, and celebration
In short, DWTS proved once again that it can deliver thrilling Reality TV while touching the hearts of its viewers.
About the American Reality TV Awards
The American Reality TV Awards (ARTAS) were founded in 2012 by executive producers Kristen Moss and Andrew Ward, with the first ceremony held in 2014. John Barra, a two-time Daytime Emmy-winning producer, joined early on as showrunner and talent producer. What started as a vision to honor excellence in reality programming has grown into a global platform, with millions of votes cast annually, reflecting public passion for Reality TV.
The mission of ARTAS is to support, examine, and redefine the art of reality in media by rewarding excellence, encouraging experimentation, and recognizing that the public is the heart of our industry.
“We embrace the spirit of fun and camaraderie, and we value the rich diversity of programming that puts reality on the leading edge of entertainment.”
Over the years, the awards have celebrated trailblazers in competition shows, docu-series, digital content, food and game shows, true crime, and more, acknowledging both on-screen talent and production excellence.
Full 2026 ARTAS Nominees
- Outstanding Art Direction: American Ninja Warrior (NBC); Ink Master: OGs vs Young Guns (Paramount+); RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV); The Amazing Race Canada (CTV); The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras (MTV); Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home (MAX)
- Outstanding Competition Show: American Ninja Warrior (NBC); America’s Got Talent (NBC); Dancing With The Stars (ABC); Hell’s Kitchen (FOX); RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV); The Amazing Race (CBS); The Bachelor (ABC); The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras (MTV); The Masked Singer (FOX); The Mole (Netflix)
- Most Creative Challenge: American Ninja Warrior (NBC); Deal or No Deal Island (NBC); Is It Cake? (Netflix); The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras (MTV); The Great British Baking Show (Netflix)
- Outstanding Docu-Series: Black Twitter: A People’s History (HULU); Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks (ID); Jersey Shore Family Vacation (MTV); Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta (MTV); Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV (ID); Scamanda (ABC); Sister Wives (TLC); Welcome to Plathville (TLC)
- Best Editing: Alien Sharks: Ghosts of Japan (DISCOVERY); American Ninja Warrior (NBC); The Curious Case of Natalia Grace (ID); Shark Tank (ABC); The Amazing Race Canada (CTV)
- Best Feel Good Show: American Ninja Warrior (NBC); America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC); First Time Buyer’s Club (OWN); Opportunity Knock$ (PBS); Shark Tank (ABC); The Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC)
- Outstanding Food Series: BBQ Brawl (FOOD Network); Blue Ribbon Baking Championship (Netflix); Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (FOOD Network); Dinner Budget Showdown (Roku); Hell’s Kitchen (FOX)
- Outstanding Game Show: Celebrity Family Feud (ABC); Fast Friends (MAX); Let’s Make A Deal (CBS); Password (NBC); Press Your Luck (ABC); The Floor (FOX); The Price Is Right At Night (CBS)
- Guilty Pleasure Show: Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders (ID); Evil Lives Here (ID); Hell’s Kitchen (FOX); Ready to Love (OWN); Ridiculousness (MTV); The Kardashians (HULU); The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (BRAVO); The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (HULU); Vanderpump Villa (HULU); Welcome To Plathville (TLC)
- Outstanding Host: Alfonso Ribeiro (America’s Funniest Home Videos); Donnie Wahlberg (Very Scary People); Jesse Palmer (The Golden Bachelorette); Jimmy Kimmel (Jimmy Kimmel Live!); Jonathan Bennett (Finding Mr. Christmas); Ms. Pat (Ms. Pat Settles It); Nick Cannon (The Masked Singer); Rob Lowe (The Floor); RuPaul Charles (RuPaul’s Drag Race); T.J. Lavin (The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras)
- International Reality Series: Celebrity Task Force (TV2 Norway); Elisabeth Rioux: Unfiltered (Prime Video); Ghosting with Luke Hutchie and Matthew Finlan (CBC / CBC Gem); The Mole (Netflix); Troop 3 (TV2 Norway)
- Best Judging Panel: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV); Shark Tank (ABC); So You Think You Can Dance (FOX); The Voice (NBC); The Masked Singer (FOX)
- Outstanding New Cast: 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days (TLC); Billboards Inc (Tubi); Hell’s Kitchen (FOX); Ready to Love (OWN); The Golden Bachelorette (ABC)
- Outstanding New Show: Finding Mr. Christmas (Hallmark+); Lethally Blonde (ID); Scare Tactics (USA); The Golden Bachelorette (ABC); The Never Ever Mets (OWN); The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (HULU); Vanderpump Villa (HULU); Wayne Brady: The Family Remix (Freeform)
- Best Overall Show: American Ninja Warrior (ABC); America’s Got Talent (NBC); Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks (ID); Hell’s Kitchen (FOX); Jeopardy! (ABC); RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV); Shark Tank (ABC); The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (BRAVO); The Voice (NBC); Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? (ABC)
- Outstanding Production Company: 495 Productions; A. Smith & Co. Productions; FOX Alternative Entertainment (FAE); Fremantle; Hot Snakes Media; MTV Entertainment Studios; Sony Pictures Television; Universal Television Alternative Studio; Warner Bros. Unscripted Television
- Outstanding Production Crew: American Ninja Warrior (NBC); Hell’s Kitchen (FOX); Jersey Shore Family Vacation (MTV); Police 24/7 (CW); Shark Tank (ABC)
- Reality King (Reality Royalty Award®): Alan Cumming (The Traitors); Connor Tomlinson (Love on the Spectrum); Guy Fieri (Guy’s Grocery Games); Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino (Jersey Shore Family Vacation); Pauly D (Jersey Shore Family Vacation); Peter Weber (The Traitors); Robert “Rob” Rausch (Love Island USA)
- Overall Reality Podcast: Bravo & Blaze with Jenny Blaze; MTV’s Official Challenge Podcast; Rob Has a Podcast; The Sarah Fraser Show; Undressed with Pol’ and Patrik
- Reality TV Moment: 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After (TLC); American Ninja Warrior (NBC); Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks (ID); Gown and Out in Beverly Hills (Prime Video); Ms. Pat Settles It (BET); RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV); Sister Wives (TLC); The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras (MTV)
- Reality Queen (Reality Royalty Award®): Abby Lee Miller (Mad House); Jenni “JWoww” Farley (Jersey Shore Family Vacation); Kris Jenner (The Kardashians); Lisa Vanderpump (Vanderpump Villa); Natalia Grace (Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks); Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi (Jersey Shore Family Vacation); Ms. Pat (Ms. Pat Settles It)
- Outstanding Recurring Cast: 1000-lb Sisters (TLC); Belle Collective (OWN); Jersey Shore Family Vacation (MTV); Love & Marriage: Huntsville (OWN); Welcome to Plathville (TLC)
- Best Talk/Variety Show: Hot Ones (YouTube); Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC); On the Record (RFD-TV); Ridiculousness (MTV); The Daily Show (Comedy Central); The Jennifer Hudson Show (FOX)
- Outstanding True Crime Series: Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks (ID); Evil Lives Here (ID); Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini (HULU); Police 24/7 (CW); Secrets of Polygamy (A&E); Snapped (Oxygen True Crime); The Girl on the Milk Carton (Oxygen True Crime)
- Most Unique Concept: Coming From America (Discovery); Dinner and a Movie (TBS); Help! I am in a Secret Relationship (MTV); Scare Tactics (USA); The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks (ID)
- Outstanding Digital Reality Series: Billboards Inc (Tubi); Gown and Out in Beverly Hills (Prime Video); RuPaul’s Drag Race: The Pit Stop (YouTube); RuPaul’s Drag Race: Whatcha Packin’ with Michelle Visage (YouTube); The Dolls (Brandon TV)
Glamour, Fashion and the Finishing Touch of Fragrance
The ARTAS Awards ceremony is a night full of glamour, elegance, and high-energy celebration. Awards season isn’t just about dazzling performances and red-carpet fashion—it’s about creating a complete celebrity experience. From sparkling gowns to sleek tuxedos, every detail matters, and fragrance is one of the most essential finishing touches.
To capture that iconic, star-quality aura, many celebrities rely on signature scents. For fans who want to emulate that glamour, YCZ Fragrance offers a sophisticated, memorable scent that elevates any outfit and leaves a lasting impression. Wearing a high-quality fragrance like YCZ isn’t just about smelling good—it’s about stepping into your own spotlight and feeling as polished and confident as the stars themselves.
If you want to bring a hint of award-show luxury into your everyday life, explore the YCZ Fragrance collection and discover the scent that makes you feel like the celebrity of your own story. With its elegant notes and modern edge, it’s not only a confidence-boosting everyday essential — it also makes a perfect Christmas gift for anyone who loves glamour, style, and a touch of red-carpet magic.
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Looking Ahead
With millions of fans now able to vote, DWTS has a strong chance to claim a major award this year. The season’s mix of drama, tears, hard work, and celebration made it one of the most talked-about seasons in recent memory. Whether it’s the champion Robert Irwin, emotional performances, or high-stakes backstage tension, DWTS proves that Reality TV can move hearts as well as entertain.
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