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DANCING WITH THE STARS: An Epic Season Finale and Emotional Freestyle Round Crowns the Mirrorball Champions

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars came to its conclusion on last night’s finale, where the Len Goodman Mirroball champions were crowned in the most hotly-contested, most emotional and most highly-voted across America in the the ballroom-dance competition’s history!

In the final round, judges scores and viewers votes were based off of the night’s three routines: a freestyle dance, an instant dance, and a dance style chosen by the judges (Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli). The five celebrity contestants in the finals were: Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Elaine Hendrix and Robert Irwin.

Throughout the competition on its final night; all the couples laid it all out on the table, playing to their strengths. Let’s break it down!

Alix Earle with Val Chmerkovskiy

First, Judges Choice: Carrie Ann Inaba assigns the couple a samba, to “Hip Hip Chin Chin” by Club des Belugas.  The performance kicked off the show and was flawless scoring a 30 out of 30. “It was just brilliant” said Inaba with Bruno Tonoili following it up with, “You were not good. You were incandescent!”

Next, for the Insta Dance, the couple wound up with the cha cha performing to Rae’s “Where is My Husband!” And even performing it on the fly, the duo scored another 30 out of 30! Third, the Freestyle round with Val’s extraordinary, as always, choreography. This time to a mash-up of  “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado and “Sports Car” by Tate illustrating Earle’s dominance, power and fitness. It also scored a 30 out of 30. Earle was consistent throughout the entire season making her one of the frontrunners.

Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach

Dylan had us in tears throughout the night. For being an extraordinary leading man on the dance floor, and sharing his emotions of what coming to the ballroom has done for him, which has made him love dance. Two of the routines were exquisite due, in part, to Karagach’s choreography.

Photo: ABC

Judges Choice: Bruno chose for the couple, a paso doble to “Stampede” by Alexander Jean ft. Lindsey Stirling. In it, Efron rips his shirt off during the performance to which Bruno said afterwards, “Michelangelo himself could not have sculpted a better shape!” In the end they scored 28 out of 30. Next, the Insta Dance, they chose the foxtrot to be performed to “Ordinary” by Alex Warren which was so flawless that judges were left speechless! Derek exclaimed: “We were just sitting here going like, ‘What am I looking at?!” A 30 out of 30. For the Freestyle round, and dancing to “Something in the Heavens” by Lewis Capaldi, this dance beautifully showed Efron’s new love of dance, all of his strengths, and left everyone in the ballroom in tears, because of its heart and beauty. Score 30 out of 30.

Elaine Hendrix with Alan Bersten

The actress came in to the competition as the oldest person left standing in her 50’s. She had gone through injuries and fought back during the season, and had the emotional story of how years ago she gave up dance, so this was her time for redemption and to get back to her passion.

Photo: ABC

For the Judges Choice; Derek chose a rumba to “Take My Breath Away” by Jae Hall. After it was performed during the finals, Hough shared, “That was exquisite. It truly was.” Score 30 out of 30. Next up, the Insta Dance, the duo chose the quickstep and performed to “You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes. It was not as on-point as the competition and scored a 28 out of 30. In the Freestyle round: Elaine and Alan delivered a fantastic routine to the opening number from A Chorus Line, “I Hope I Get It,” to play off of the actress auditioning and getting the job, believing in herself, and her journey. The duo ended the competition on a high note of 30 out of 30 for their performance.

Robert Irwin with Witney Carson

As had been reported, Irwin came into the finals with injured ribs which were seen on the dance pre-packages while he was going through rehearsals. Luckily, with adrenaline kicking in, it did not outwardly affect him on the dance floor one bit during the seaon finale.

Judges Choice: Derek assigned a quickstep to “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet. The routine was spunky and near perfection with all of the judges giving Irwin and Carson a 29 out of 30.  Next up, the Insta Dance! With his ribs hurting, Robert and Witney wound up with a cha cha to “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE and did a fun and impromptu routine which landed them a 30 out of 30.

Now, it was all on the line in the Freestyle round, and Irwin turned it up a notch (if that’s even possible) with a spectacular routine from Carson to Black and Gold” by Sam Sparro and “The Nights.” Irwin noted a big “thank you ” to America, and that he also really wanted to make his dad proud one last time with the final dance of the season. After the performance, Bruno said, “Mate, that was a 24-solid-gold-karat performance!” Score 30 out of 30.

Jordan Chiles with Ezra Sosa

The olympian was coming into the competition fierce, ready to show she was more than just a gymnast, and by the end of the night left everything on the floor. Judges Choice: Carrie Ann gave the duo a paso doble to perform to “Breakin’ Dishes” by Rihanna. The takeaway was Jordan admires Carrie Ann and vice versa and Inaba’s critiques which have been at times controversial over the season. When they take to the dance floor, they deliver and score a 29 out of 30.  In the Insta Dance, Jordan chooses a tango and it is to be performed on the fly to “I Like It” by Alesso and Nate Smith. Coming out swinging, the duo receive a perfect 30 out of 30.

In the Freestyle round, it was all about showing the world, just what Jordan Chiles is all about. Jordam and Ezra dance to “Motivation” by Normani, and even Normani herself shows up in the routine! It brought down the house down with Carrie Ann giving the highest praise, “That is the best freestyle I have ever seen in 20 (years)! Score 3o out of 30.

Photo: ABC

When all was said in done, here is how the couples placed after the nationwide vote and judges scores. Fifth place: Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten. Fourth place: Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach. Third place: Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa.

Now. it came down to the final two: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, and Alix Earle and Valentin Chmerkovskiy. Second place: Alix and Val. The winners are… Robert and Witney!

Take a look below at some of the standout routines of the night! Then let us know, did the right couple win the Mirrorball trophy? Were you rooting for another duo? Let us know who you felt deserved the win after one of the best season’s of Dancing with the Stars via the comment section below.

 

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Elaine Hendrix was robbed of the mirror ball.

Dancing with the Stars

DANCING WITH THE STARS: Guillermo Goes Home

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Guillermo

The Tuesday, October 13 episode of Dancing With the Stars brought with it the end of the line for a fan favorite, who for five weeks was able to hang in the competition for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, due to the at-home voting, and not for his exceptional dance prowess.

With 11 pairs remaining, the couples hit the ballroom dance floor to songs by previous Super Bowl Halftime Show performers for “Super Bowl Night” with special guest judge ESPN’s Joe Buck.

The sports commentator joined Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli at the judges table to offer up his thoughts on the dance routines and athleticism set before him throughout the night.

Guillermo Dancing with the Stars

Photo: ABC

THE RESULTS

When it time for the results following the final commercial break, DWTS hosts, Alfonso and Julianne, named Julia and Ezra, Maura and Mark, Jackson and Emma, Harry and Jenna, and Amber and Pasha safe. They were followed by: Ezra and Daniella, Jenna and Val, Tatyana and Jan, and Connor and Rylee.

That left the last two pairs on the stage, although not necessarily the bottom two in the voting between Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess and Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson. As the tension mounted, especially because Cameron had delivered his best dance of the season thus far, it was revealed that Guillermo and Witney were eliminated.

Speaking to the cameras following his elimination, the ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ sidekick, shared, “I want to say thank you to all the audience, thank you to everyone and Dancing with the Stars. I had a lot of fun, it was great. Witney, I love you for teaching me how to dance, thank you so much.”

Ezra and Daniella

Photo: ABC

LAST DANCE

Witney Carson. who has been pregnant while in the competition, said to Guillermo, “Thank you so much for making the season just so fun, so enjoyable.” She added, “He has taken care of me so much throughout this entire season, it’s felt like an empowering season.”

In their final routine, Guillermo and Witney Carson had performed a salsa to Bad Bunny’s “Tití Me Preguntó.” As the episode concluded, all of the celebrity contestants and pro dancers swarmed Guillermo and hoisted him in the air, celebrating his efforts throughout the competition.

As for who were the standouts on “Super Bowl Night” Paralympian Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach performed a salsa to “Hot in Herre” by Nelly to the top the leaderboard. along with The Rookie star Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy who peformed a paso doble to “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga. Each couple scored a 36/40 receiving straight 9’s from the judges, the highest scores thus far on season 35.

Now below, check out the top two routines of the night and Guillermo and Witney’s last dance.

Then let us know, are you glad that Guillermo was finally sent home, or were you hoping that somehow he would keep surviving in the competition week after week? Of the remaining couples, who did you think delivered the best routine on Super Bowl Night and who are you rooting for now to take home the Mirrorball Trophy? Let us know in the comment section.

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Dancing with the Stars

DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson

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Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart

The September 29 episode of Dancing With the Stars showcased the continued strengths of some couples, but showed the cracks in others, as the 13 remaining duos hit the ballroom dance floor to yacht rock songs in week 3 of the competition.

At the end of the night, the couple with the lowest combined judges’s scores and viewer votes was sent home, and this proved to be a sticking point issue with the voting.

During the results portion at the end of the show, the first five couples who were named safe were: Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy, Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess, Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong, and Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa.

They were followed by: Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, and Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold.

Taylor Hanson, Britt Stewart

Photo: ABC

AN UNEXPECTED TWIST

The remaining three couples awaiting their fate were: Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson, Jackson Olson and Emma Slater, and Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart. The couple sent home was Taylor and Britt.

Taylor and Britt performed a foxtrot to the the Doobie Brothers, “What a Fool Believes” during the night of competition and scored an 18 out of 30 from the judged. While it wasn’t the stand out routine on Yacht Rock night, it certainly wasn’t the worst.

With many expecting Guillermo and Witney to be sent home, when Britt and Taylor’s name was called, Stewart was visibly emotional and upset. After the shocking elimination, several of her pro partners spoke out and rallied around her and Hanson.

DANCING WITH THE STARS PROS SPEAK UP

Pro dancer, Sharna Burgess is hoping that next season, Stewart will make it to the finals. ]It should be noted that Britt is the first Black woman to be in the Dancing with the Stars pro company having joined in season 29 back in 2020, and she has never made it to the finale. Her highest placement was when she came in fifth in season 31 with her now husband, CODA star Daniel Durant.

“Knowing Britt and loving Britt, I just want to see her do a freestyle. I just want to see Britt, next season, get what our fans call a ringer, and we see her get to the end so we can have a Britt freestyle, expressed Burgess to EW.com.

Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong spoke out as being the couple who has spent the most time with Britt and Taylor during competition weeks. “I think Britt is an elite dancer, and an elite pro,” Armstrong continues, explaining that he and Miller were “gutted” when they heard the news. “It’s horrible,” said Armstrong. Miller shared she has chills” over it, and is “processing this elimination.”

Perhaps, Dancing with the Stars pro Jan Ravnik said it best, exclaiming everything is “going to be f—ed from now on” with them gone and more eliminations weekly. “I did love this partnership. I think they were incredible. I love Britt so much. I think she is one of the best dancers that I ever worked with.”

Now below, check out the dance routines from last night of Guillermo and Witney, Jackson and Emma and Taylor and Britt, and let us know if you think the right couple was sent packing via the comment section below.

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DANCING WITH THE STARS Viral Hits Night: Who Was the Fiercest Couple of Them All?

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Dancing with the Stars Viral Hits Night

In week 2 of ballroom dance floor action on Dancing With the Stars season 35, it was “viral hits night,” which had all the celebrity contestants and their pro partners going head -to-head with each other, unlike last week’s two-night season premiere where the men were solely on night one and the women on night two.

Now, the 14 remaining couples strutted their stuff and their routines on the September 22 episode, where it was clear that paralympian, Ezra Frech and olympian, Amber Glenn showed how balance and athleticism came into play. BUT, there was no one more than Frech, who with one prosthetic leg, just could get down on the dance floor better than the rest of us, anytime anywhere!

When the smoke cleared, three couples had the highest scores from the panel of judges, Carrie Ann, Derek and Bruno. Each received a 21/30 score and were a top the leaderboard ahead of the night’s final results.

Dancing with the Stars Cast

Photo: ABC

The top scores belonged to: Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy who danced a Jive to “Animal” by Katseye, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach who performed a cha-cha to “Low” by Flo Rida, and Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov who took to the floor performing a tango
to “All the Things She Said” by Harrison, who was in the ballroom DJing the song!

WHO WAS SENT HOME?

At the end of the night, the results were revealed. The first six couples who were announced as safe were: Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik, Jackson Olson and Emma Slater, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong, Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart, and Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov.

Also safe were: Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold, and Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa.

The bottom three were revealed as: Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess, Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten, and Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson. In the end, Giada and Alan who were sent home.

Dancing With the Stars, Season 35, airs Tuesdays, 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC and Disney+

Take a look at the top three highest scored dances from last night’s Viral Hits Night’s competition below. Then let us know, who you thought was the fiercest couple of them all, via the comment section.

 

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