The latest season of Dancing With the Stars ended in a spectacular finale, crowning Joey Graziadei and professional dancer Jenna Johnson as champions. After 10 weeks of intense competition, they took home the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, showcasing their consistent performances and growth throughout the season.
Finale Performances
The five remaining couples delivered two final routines: a redemption dance revisiting a style they performed earlier in the season and a freestyle routine that reflected their personal journeys. The night’s scores, combined with votes from live viewers and semifinal scores, determined the winner.
Graziadei and Johnson impressed the judges with a cha-cha to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” and capped the evening with a freestyle routine to “Canned Heat” by District 78 ft. Jake Simpson. Their performances earned high praise, ultimately securing their victory.
Notable Moments From the Night
The finale featured the return of previous champions and eliminated contestants. Last season’s winners, Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy, performed a vibrant routine, while early-season participants, including Anna Delvey and Tori Spelling, reunited for group dances. Former contestant Reginald VelJohnson also performed, bringing nostalgia with a routine set to the theme song of Family Matters.
Eliminated Finalists
Chandler Kinney and pro Brandon Armstrong showcased their technical prowess with perfect scores for their jive and freestyle routines, but they were eliminated in the final round. Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold paid tribute to Nedoroscik’s Olympic journey with a heartfelt freestyle to Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida.” Despite high scores, they also fell short of victory.
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten brought their signature energy to the stage with a jive to “Shake A Tail Feather” and a freestyle to “Femininomenon,” while Danny Amendola and Witney Carson impressed with a tango and a creative freestyle featuring songs by Lizzo and Ryan Gosling. Both pairs were eliminated earlier in the evening.
Season Highlights
Throughout the season, Dancing With the Stars celebrated growth, determination, and creativity. The judges applauded the contestants’ transformations, and the finale was a fitting conclusion to a memorable season.
Graziadei’s victory marked a culmination of weeks of hard work and dedication, solidifying his place as a deserving champion of Season 33. The season not only highlighted the competitive spirit of the dancers but also showcased the joy and unity that dancing brings to audiences and participants alike.
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