Bristol Palin
Bristol Palin is being sued for defamation by Stephen Hanks, the man who heckled her in a West Hollywood, Calif. bar last September, calling her mother, Sarah, derogatory names. REUTERS

Bristol Palin returned to “Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars” and debuted a hot new bod.

Palin was one of the few contestants who was paired up with a former partner, season 11 pro dancer Mark Ballas.

The DWTS judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli, were all impressed with her cha cha, but they were also wowed by her slimmer figure.

"I'm definitely in better shape than I was last time, definitely. I'm just more active, and I cut all the crap out of my diet! It's that simple," Palin, 21, explained to Us Weekly behind the DWTS stage on Monday. She received a 19 out of 30 score from the judges. "And my kid's a lot more rowdy, a lot more active. I'm running after him a lot! He's huge! He thinks he's a teenager already."

Judge Inaba declared that Palin was the "most improved" returning contestant.

Palin's family came out to watch the contestant dance on the premiere. Her mother, former Alaska governor and Republican vice president hopeful Sarah Palin; her father, Todd; and her 3-year-old son parked themselves in the audience to watch Palin dance the cha cha.

The all-star “DWTS” dancer explained to Us Weekly that her family is what motivates her the most, and that they are responsible for a majority of her successful dances on the ballroom floor.

"If I ever hear anything bad that's being said about me or my family, it just gives me motivation to do better, and that's what I do!" the celeb explained.

Palin is no stranger to reality television, either, which could work in her favor. She once starred in Lifetime's “Life's a Tripp” which premiered after her first gig on “DWTS” in 2010.

Ballas explained why the two are a great pair on the dance floor.

"We picked up where we left off. We stayed in touch since last time and we just went back into it. We balance each other," Ballas, 26, explained. "I'm loud and obnoxious and she's quiet and chill."

Palin added: "Mark says he's like a chimpanzee and I'm like a turtle, poking out of my shell!"