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.
Dancing with the Stars
ABC/Disney Upfronts: ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 35 Adds ‘Savannah Bananas’ Jackson Olson, ‘The Bachelor’ Franchise Spin-Offs Not on Fall Schedule
On Tuesday, May 12 at the ABC/Disney Upfronts, there were several headlines coming out of it for the upcoming 2026-2027 television and streaming season.
First, Savannah Bananas second baseman Jackson Olson will be taking some swings on the ballroom dance floor when he joins other celebrities already locked in for Dancing with the Stars season 34.
Olson will join already confirmed reality stars: Maura Higgins (The Traitors and Love Island) and Ciara Miller (Summer House). The full cast list and their pro partners will be announced on September 2nd.
Photo: SavannahBananasIG
SAVANNAH BANANAS COME TO DISNEY+
The news of Olson who has also become a social media influencer, comes out of the Disney upfront that also revealed that Disney+ will become the exclusive home of the Banana Bowl streaming live this October, hence the tie-in.
The Banana Bowl will feature the top teams in the Banana Ball league facing off for the season championship. Known for blending athleticism with entertainment, the game will include one of the biggest performances the league has ever seen, bringing together all six teams, along with its signature on-field showmanship.
NO BACHELOR FRANCHISE THIS FALL
Meanwhile, ABC revealed that a new season for the troubled The Bachelor franchise offshoots is not on the fall schedule where they usual place: The Bachelorette, The Golden Bachelor or Golden Bachelortte are no where to be found. This is the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic that there will be no Bachelor-branded series on ABC’s fall schedule.
Photo: ABC
The Bachelor will return as usual in the midseason in 2027, Grant Ellis was the lead as the man looking for love and vying for a woman’s heart in 2025.
All this, amid the turmoil surrounding Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette being pulled and currently never seeing the light of day after the domestic violence surfaced with her throwing a chair towards the direction of her child, while she got into a melee with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.
Ari Goldman, SVP, Content Strategy and Scheduling said of removing The Bachelor from the new season ABC lineup, “We’ve had to take a look at just managing the franchise properly. These shows have enormous fan bases, and we were so thrilled the year that we were able to launch Golden Bachelor and have it stand out in that fall season the way that it did. But I think that the usual cadence that we like to find ourselves in is really the flagship series in midseason and then having some summer edition, which we have already locked in on Bachelor of Paradise for next season. So this is more of a return to a steady state on the franchise.”
So, what do you think about Jackson Olson from the Savannah Bananas joining the new season of Dancing with the Stars? Do you like how the show is making efforts to cast social media influencers and talents with a mass number of followers to draw eyeballs to the reality-competition series? Meanwhile, are you for or against even The Bachelor coming back in 2027, or do you think its time to rest the entire concept all of its spin-offs for good? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Dancing with the Stars
‘Dancing with the Stars’ Renewed for Season 35 by ABC, Plus ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Spin-off ‘The Next Pro’ Set for Summer Debut
The ballroom is back in a major way in news today during the Disney’s Get Real unscripted TV event. First, Dancing with the Stars has been renewed for its upcoming 35th season, that is expected to premiere this fall.
The first two celebrity contestants have been revealed. Maura Higgins from Traitors and Love Island has joined the cast as has Summer House favorite Ciara Miller.
Previously, the 34th season of Dancing with the Stars saw its largest audience in years driven by viewer interest in the younger demographics, plus the sho delivered its highest-rated finale in nearly a decade, which saw wildlife conservationist, Robert Irwin winning the Mirror Ball trophy.
Photo: ABC
It’s clear, ABC feels they have gold with Irwin, who they have tapped to host their new spinoff series coming this summer. Now comes Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro coming to ABC and Hulu. The series will premiere July 13, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with episodes available the next day on Hulu.
The new competition series which will be hosted by Irwin, features 12 up-and-coming dancers who move into one house and compete in a grueling audition process, all vying for a coveted spot as a pro dancer on Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars.
Three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley Ballas “The Queen of Latin” will serve as judges. They will be joined by lineup of returning pros who will serve as rotating mentors and guest judges. Details about the returning pros, and contestants will be announced at a later date.
The series is produced by BBC Studios. Conrad Green serves as showrunner and executive producer. Ryan O’Dowd, Krystal Whitney, Alex Cross and Jenny Groom are executive producers. Deena Katz and Quinn Lipton are co-executive producers.
Now below, check out the first look trailer for ‘Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.’ Then let u know, what you think of the concept? Robert Irwin as host and the OG Dancing with the Stars returning for season 35 via the comment section.
Dancing with the Stars
‘Dancing with the Stars’ Con 2026 Announced: Featuring Pros, Judges, and Celeb Alums: Get the Details
Just announced Dancing with the Stars fans, is its first foray into a full-on fan fest convention. Dancing With the Stars Con 2026 is coming this summer which will feature a plethora of pro dancer favorites, uniting past winners, alums and a pair of well-known judges for the weekend long event.
Billed as “a celebration of all things Dancing With the Stars” the three-day convention will take place from Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August. 2 in Palm Springs, California at the Acrisure Arena. The venue has the capacity to hold 11,000 people and is located in heart of the Coachella valley near where the Coachella music fest is held every year.
Event organizers share that attendees will see live dance performances, live panels, interactive photo experiences, and exhibits which feature. mirrorball champions and fan favorites.
Photo: ABC
WHO’S APPEARING AT ‘DANCING WITH THE STARS CON’
Confirmed to attend are: long-time judges: Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Dancers: Brandon Armstrong, Lindsay Arnold, Rylee Arnold, Alan Bersten, Hailey Bills, Sharna Burgess, Witney Carson, Val Chmerkovskiy, Sasha Farber,, Jenna Johnson, Daniella Karagach, Pasha Pashkov, Jan Ravnik, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater, Ezra Sosa, and Britt Stewart.
Photo: ABC
The convention was “designed to celebrate the iconic television series and its passionate fan base” shared the event organizers with Entertainment Weekly. Danielle Fishel added, “There are a lot of things that we don’t even know yet. The greatest thing about the Con is that it’s going to be a celebration of all 20 years of the show.”The Con is going to be the legacy of the show – a celebration of the legacy of the show.”
HOW TO GET TICKETS
Tickets for Dancing With the Stars Con go on sale this Saturday, February 14 at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. However, in a special promotion with Verizon, its members can access an exclusive presale beginning February. 12. Three-day early bird tickets, VIP packages, and more can be explored at at www.dwtscon.com
So, what do you think about the concept of a Dancing with the Stars massive convention with fans from around the country and the world, pro dancer, past winners and celebs and more? Is it something you would be interested in attending? Let us know via the comment section below.
Photo: ABC
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