Meeka Owens and Alyenendrov Tsorokean Crowned 2026 DANCING FOR THE STARS Champs

Meeka Owens (Cincinnati City Councilwoman) and dance pro Alyenendrov Tsorokean (Phoenix Rising Ballroom) were crowned the champions of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s eighteenth annual Dancing for the Stars on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Music Hall Ballroom. The dance pair earned perfect scores of (10) from each of the three judges. Dr. Mona Foad (Founder & CEO, Mona Dermatology) took home the Fundraising Champion Award as the celebrity who raised the most money for the event through ticket sales and donations – more $17,000.

Alex Beach (Director, Lifetime Engagements, Fidelity Investments) and Bonita Brockert (Independent Dance Instructor) took second place. Robert Warfel (Public Safety and Law Enforcement Executive) and Desiree Mainous (Owner, Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Montgomery) placed third.

In the fundraising arena, Robert Warfel (Public Safety and Law Enforcement Executive) placed second and Felisa Insignares (founder of ELEVATI Elevated Essentials and Owner Designer Items & More Boutique) placed third.

As the Cincinnati Arts Association’s largest annual fundraiser, the popular event raised $104,000 in support of the organization’s arts education and community engagement programs, which reach over 75,000 Cincinnatians annually. 

Inspired by the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing for the Stars 2026 featured six Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the area’s finest professional dancers in a competition program at which the audience vote and judges scores propelled the winners to victory. The competitive dance theme for the evening was the 1950s, and each dance pair had a maximum of three minutes to woo the crowd and the judges. 

The night featured the following dance pairs, in performance order:

Dr. Mona Foad (Founder & CEO, Mona Dermatology) and Jozsef Parragh (Independent Dance Instructor): “The House is Rockin’” – Wynonna Judd
Nicholas Dunigan (Vice President, Wealth Management for Fifth Third Bank) and Melissa Vaughn (Arthur Murray – Montgomery): “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” – Hauser
Meeka Owens (Cincinnati City Councilwoman) and Alyenendrov Tsorokean (Phoenix Rising Ballroom) “Respect” – Aretha Franklin
Alex Beach (Fidelity Investments) and Bonita Brockert (Independent Dance Instructor): “Boogie-Woogie Queen” – Shayna Thompson
Robert Warfel (Public Safety and Law Enforcement Executive) and Desiree Mainous (Owner, Arthur Murray – Montgomery): “Jailhouse Rock” – Elvis
Felisa Insignares (founder, ELEVATI Elevated Essentials and Owner of Designer Items & More Boutique) and James Branham (Arthur Murray – Dayton): “Mambo Italiano” – Dean Martin and Rosemary Clooney
Event emcees were Chris O’Brien and Janeen Coyle (former hosts of “Married with Microphones,” 103.5 WGRR-FM). The competition judges were Doreen Beatrice (Dancing for the Stars Professional Alumna and committee member), Douglas Beal (Independent Dance Instructor and committee member), and Pam Kravetz (Nationally Recognized Artist and Arts Educator | Celebrity Dancer, Dancing for the Stars 2018)

In addition, Dancing for the Stars 2026 featured:

Dinner-by-the-Bite provided by Baru, DelightMore, eat well celebrations and feasts, Prime Cincinnati, Sebastian Bakehouse, Skyline Chili, Street City Pub, Vintage on Race.
A special showcase performance by 2026 Overture Awards Vocal Music winner, William Wittekind (grade 12, Saint Xavier High School).
Music by DJ JD Hughes of 103.5 WGRR-FM.

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