Chelsie Hightower

Chelsie Kay Hightower (born July 21, 1989) is a Latin ballroom dancer, who is best known for being a regular dance partner, trainer, and choreographer on Dancing with the Stars. Before that, she was a contestant on a similar show called So You Think You Can Dance.

Born Chelsie Kay Hightower in Las Vegas, Nevada, and raised in Orem, Utah with five brothers and her mother, Laurie Hightower, she started dancing when she was nine years old, and received conventional training since the age of 14. Hightower performed in musical theatres across the United States. She was a U.S. Worlds finalist in 2005, and competed on Team USA. She graduated from Timpanogos High School, then attended Utah Valley University.

At age 18, she made her television debut on season four of So You Think You Can Dance. She was eliminated from the U.S. reality TV show on July 31, 2008 after making it to the top six.

Hightower became a Dancing with the Stars professional dancer in 2009. She joined the season eight cast of, and was partnered with Ty Murray, a nine-time World Champion rodeo cowboy. On May 12, 2009, she and Murray were eliminated from the competition with a 4th place finish. Her partner for season nine was professional snowboarder Louie Vito. They were eliminated in week six of the competition, and came in eighth place. For season ten she was partnered with The Bachelor star Jake Pavelka. They were voted off in week five of the competition, and came in seventh place. She was paired with Michael Bolton in season 11. The couple were eliminated in week two. For season 12 she was partnered with rapper and actor Romeo Miller. They were eliminated in week eight of the competition, and came in fifth place. She was not on season 13 (Fall 2011), but returned in season 14 (Spring 2012) partnered with Disney Channel star Roshon Fegan. The couple was eliminated on week eight, finishing in sixth place. For season 15 (the first "all-stars" season), she was partnered with season five winner Hélio Castroneves. They were voted off during a double elimination in week three and finished in 10th place.

Hightower made an appearance in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Winter 2010 edition (pages 152 and 153) along with three other couples from Dancing with the Stars. On July 8, 2010, she received an Emmy nomination for the "Paso Doble/Malagueña" dance that she and Derek Hough performed and co-choreographed for season ten.

Hightower has performed with singer/songwriter Jewel (Ty Murray's wife) in concert on Jewel's hit "Hands."