This story contains spoilers for the Nov. 26 episode of Dancing With the Stars.
In Tuesday night’s Season 33 finale of Dancing With the Stars, the five remaining couples competed for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The evening kicked off with a “redemption” dance, where the contestants revisited a style they had struggled with earlier in the season, striving for improvement under the judges' guidance.
The second round brought stunning freestyle performances, with a standout from Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong. As the first Black duo to reach the finale, they delivered a breathtaking multi-decade tribute to legendary African-American dancers, including the iconic Nicholas Brothers. Their routine, set to “Hellzapoppin’” by Eyal Vilner Big Band and “Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield, earned high praise. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba emotionally asked if the Pretty Little Liars star understood the profound impact of their performance, declaring, “You’ve changed the future for people to come!”
Other freestyle routines highlighted the contestants’ unique strengths and personalities, from gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik’s impressive balancing act on a pommel horse to Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola stealing the spotlight with a Gosling-inspired performance from Barbie, complete with abs on display.
Despite Chandler Kinney’s status as a favorite to win, she stunned viewers by finishing in third place, while Amendola placed fifth and Nedoroscik landed in fourth.
The Season 33 Mirrorball Trophy ultimately went to The Bachelor star Joey Graziadei and his partner, Jenna Johnson. Olympian Ilona Maher claimed the runner-up spot in a thrilling conclusion to the season.
Dancers Seek Redemption with Re-Do Performances
The finale kicked off with a lively Quickstep from Nedoroscik and partner Rylee Arnold, set to the iconic Friends theme song, “I’ll Be There for You.” The routine earned two 10s and a 9. Judge Bruno Tonioli applauded Nedoroscik’s improved musical timing, humorously likening him to a “Rolex.” Derek Hough described the pair as “two little antidepressants dancing across the floor, radiating joy with every step,” while Carrie Ann Inaba noted that the late Len Goodman would have been grinning “ear to ear” over the performance.
Joey Graziadei, The Bachelor star, and partner Jenna Johnson dazzled with a flawless Cha Cha to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” Scoring a perfect 30, the routine impressed Hough, who commended its difficulty, while Tonioli called it “a sparkling jewel of a Cha Cha polished to perfection,” adding that the duo looked like “two pros out there.”
Amendola and partner Witney Carson tackled a Tango to Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help,” revisiting their Week 1 dance. Their hard work paid off with 27 points, earning praise from Inaba for being the “most improved male contestant.”
Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and partner Alan Bersten performed a redemption Jive to Ray Charles’ “Shake a Tail Feather,” also earning 27 points.
Meanwhile, Kinney and Armstrong delivered a sensational Jive to “APT.” by Rosé & Bruno Mars. Inaba called it “amazing,” Hough deemed it “sensational,” and Tonioli declared it “a triumph.” The pair, who earned the season's first perfect score, repeated the feat with three 10s for both their Jive and freestyle performances.
Freestyle Round Features Barbie-Inspired Performances and More
Amendola and Witney Carson brought a touch of Barbie magic to the Freestyle round, transforming into Ken and Barbie for a routine set to Lizzo’s “Pink” and “I’m Just Ken” from the Barbie movie soundtrack. Amendola embraced the role with flair, sporting a blonde wig, a fur coat reminiscent of Ryan Gosling’s costume in the film, and showing off his abs to the audience's delight. The performance earned high praise, with Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli each awarding 10s, while Carrie Ann Inaba gave it a 9, bringing their overall score to 110.
Freestyle Round Delivers High-Energy Performances
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson took a tennis-themed approach to their Freestyle, blending traditional ballroom with a Busby Berkeley-style musical number. Bruno Tonioli praised the creative fusion, and the routine earned 29 points, bringing Graziadei’s total score for the night to 117.
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy, the Season 32 champions, returned to the ballroom for a captivating performance set to “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan. Since her victory, Gomez has celebrated her 18th birthday, graduated from high school, gone on tour, and even bought a car.
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten delivered an electrifying Freestyle to “Femininomenon” by District 78 ft Mona Rue, leaving judge Carrie Ann Inaba visibly stunned. Inaba shouted, “My mind is blown! You leave me feeling so empowered. That’s the magic of the dance.” The performance earned a perfect score of 30, giving them a total of 114 points.
Finally, Stephen Nedoroscik performed an acrobatic and artistic Freestyle to Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” incorporating the pommel horse into their routine with partner Rylee Arnold. The performance, filled with impressive balances and artistry, left both Inaba and Hough emotional. Inaba, teary-eyed, admitted, “I don’t want this season to end.”
Every Celebrity from Season 33 Returns for the Finale, Including Early Eliminee Anna Delvey
All the stars from Dancing With the Stars Season 33 made their return for the big finale, including Anna Delvey, the first contestant eliminated. When asked about her takeaways from the competition after her Week 1 exit, the Inventing Anna subject bluntly replied, “Nothing.”
The post ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Finale: Who Won Season 33? first appeared on TheWrap.
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