Dancing with the Stars
DANCING WITH THE STARS: An Epic Season Finale and Emotional Freestyle Round Crowns the Mirrorball Champions
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.
Elaine Hendrix was robbed of the mirror ball.
The official reveal of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars Season 35 celebrity cast and their professional dance partners were announced on this morning on September 2 on Good Morning America.
General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison (Drew Cain), a former DTWS contestant, was one of the hosts of the introduction of the full cast this morning on GMA, where Mathison has also been a celebrity correspondent throughout his career.
The ballroom-dance competition will once again be co-hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, with judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli also returning. While there has been four previously released celebrity contestants, the full list was released today which includes: a former Y&R actress in Tatyana Ali (ex-Roxanne), double Paralympic gold medalist and American track and field athlete, Ezra French, Grey’s Anatomy’s Harry Shum Jr. and actress Julia Stiles.
Photo: ABC
The two-night Dancing with the Stars premiere event takes place Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Wednesday, Sept 16, at 8pm EST/7pm PST. on ABC and Disney+ and streams the next day on Hulu.
WHO’S COMPETING FOR THE LEN GOODMAN MIRROR BALL TROPHY?
Take a look at the celebrity contestants and their pro partners below.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Tatyana Ali with partner Jan Ravnik
TV personality and host Tyler Cameron with partner Sharna Burgess
Celebrity chef and host Giada De Laurentiis with partner Alan Bersten
Star of The Rookie Jenna Dewan with partner Val Chmerkovskiy
Paralympian gold medalist Ezra Frech with partner Daniella Karagach
Olympian gold medalist Amber Glenn with partner Pasha Pashkov
From “Hanson” Taylor Hanson with partner Britt Stewart
Reality star and model Maura Higgins with partner Mark Ballas
From The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Conner Leavitt with partner Adele Zaikman
Reality star and host Ciara Miller with partner Brandon Armstrong
From Love Thy Nader Sarah Jane Nader with partner Hailey Bills
“Savannah Bananas” star Jackson Olson with partner Emma Slater
From Jimmy Kimmel Live Guillermo Rodriguez with partner Witney Carson
From Grey’s Anatomy Harry Shum Jr. with partner Jenna Johnson
Film and TV star Julia Stiles with partner Ezra Sosa
Comedian and podcaster Connor Wood with partner Rylee Arnold
Photo: ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS COMPANION SHOWS WITH ANDY RICHTER AND ROBERT IRWIN
In addition, the Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast returns for a second season with a new host, Season 34 contestant Andy Richter, sharing cast interviews, special guests, behind-the-scenes insights and expert breakdowns of the performances, beginning on Thursday, September 10 with episodes airing every Thursday on Disney+ and Hulu, and wherever you get your podcasts.
And for more, season 34 Mirrorball Champion Robert Irwin, will preside over the “DWTS After Party” which finds viewers immediately following “Premiere: Night Two,” checking in with eliminated contestants and breaking down the best moments with “DWTS” alumni with never-before-seen footage and special teases. The aftershow airs live beginning on Wednesday, September 16 at 10:00 p.m. on ABC and Disney+ and streams next day on Hulu.
Four members of the cast were previously revealed as mentioned above: Higgins and Miller were introduced at Hulu’s Get Real event in April. Olson was announced in May, and Rodriguez was announced in June on Jimmy Kimmel Live! by Kimmel himself.
So, what do you think of the cast of season 34 of Dancing with the Stars? Does it intrigue you enough to make you check-in and see the new line-up hit the ballroom dance floor? Who do you wish was competing on the celebrity side that is not? Who do you think on paper looks to have the edge in the competition? Let us know via the comment section below. But first, you can check out GH’s Cameron Mathison and company asking the new cast of DWTS questions and their reactions for the upcoming new season.
UPDATED: ‘Bachelor Nation’ favorite Tyler Cameron is one of two new additions to the cast of Dancing with the Stars upcoming season 35. Cameron will hit the ballroom dance floor and so too will dancer/actress Jenna Dewan.
Cameron is best known as the runner-up in Hannah Brown’s season of The Bachelorette, the winner of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test and starred in his own Amazon Prime home renovation series, Going Home with Tyler Cameron.
Tyler’s casting comes five years after his best friend and former ‘Bachelor’ lead Matt James competed for the Mirror Ball Trophy with pro Lindsay Arnold on season 30. US broke the casting news.
Photo: JPI
FULL DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 35 CAST REVEAL ON GMA
Dewan is best known for starring as Nora Clark in the 2006 dance film Step Up and for her television roles in Supergirl!, The Rookie, and The Witches of Eastwick to name but a few. Jenna began her career as a back-up dancer for Janet Jackson, Pink, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera before moving into acting.
The full cast of Dancing with the Stars is set to be revealed including pros and celebrity contestants on the September 2 episode of Good Morning America. However, already confirmed are: “Summer House” star Ciara Miller, “Love Island UK” alum Maura Higgins, ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ sidekick and comedian Guillermo Rodriguez and Savannah Bananas player Jackson Olson.
Thursday evening August 20, TMZ is now reporting that actresses Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali have also joined the cast. Ali is remembered in the recurring role of Roxanne on The Young and the Restless from 2007 to 2013.
Last season’s Mirror Ball Trophy went to Robert Irwin, the wildlife conservationist and son of the iconic Steve Irwin, and his pro partner Witney Carson. Dancing with the Stars hopes to repeat the success of season 24 which had stellar ratings in 2025.
Dancing With the Stars season 35 kicks off with a back-to-back premiered on ABC and Disney+ starting Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET.
So, who else would you like to see join the celebrity cast of Dancing with the Stars? Share your picks via the comment section below.
Breaking News
2026 Primetime Emmy Nominations: ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Score Among Early Categories
Wednesday Morning on the Today Show, the 78th Primetime Emmy Nominations kicked off with the announcement of two categories: Outstanding Variety Series and Outstanding Reality Competition Program. The remainder of the nominations will be announced beginning at 8:30am PT from the Television Academy.
However, General Hospital’s guest star, John Oliver (also soon to be seen on Days of Our Lives) received a nomination for his HBO talk show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in the Outstanding Variety Series category.
Oliver who just wrapped his on-screen run as the head of the WSB named Z, will compete for the gold statuette with The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and Saturday Night Live.
DANCING WITH THE STARS FIRST NOMINATION IN A DECADE
In addition, ABC’s Dancing with the Stars received its first nomination in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category in ten years on the strength of its massively popular season 34 which featured: Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt and the Mirrorball Trophy winner Robert Irwin.
Dancing with the Stars faces off with RuPaul’s Drag Race, Survivor, Top Chef and The Traitors for the reality competition prize.
Photo: ABC
Winners of the 2026 Emmy Awards will be announced on Monday, September 14 in ceremonies on NBC at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Longtime Law & Order SVU favorite: Mariska Hargitay has been named the host, and the first female to do so in over 15 years.
So, happy to hear John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight and Dancing with the Stars nabbed early nominations for this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards? Let us know via the comment section below.
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