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 final couples competed for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy with a “redemption” dance assigned by the judges in which they tackled a style they had previously gotten wrong.
The second round featured several eye-popping freestyle routines, including the showstopper of Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong — the first Black duo in the finale — staging a multi-decade tribute to renowned African-American dancers like the Nicholas Brothers. Carrie Ann Inaba asked if the “Pretty Little Liars” star realized the impact the dance had, declaring, “You’ve changed the future for people to come!” The dance was set to “Hellzapoppin’” by Eyal Vilner Big Band and “Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield.
Other freestyles showcased contestants’ strengths and personality, from gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik’s balancing act on a pommel horse to Super Bowl champ Danny Amendola flashing his abs as he channeled Ryan Gosling in “Barbie.”
While Kinney seemed a shoo-in to take home the top prize, she shockingly ended in third place, with Amendola in fifth and Nedoroscik placing fourth.
And the winner of Season 33 was revealed to be “The Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei and partner Jenna Johnson, with Olympian Ilona Maher taking second.
Dancers Re-Do So-So Dances for “Redemption”
Kicking off the finale, Nedoroscik and partner Rylee Arnold performed a Quickstep to the “Friends” theme song “I’ll Be There for You,” which earned two 10s and a 9. Bruno Tonioli praised his improved musical timing, quipping, “You’ve become a Rolex.” Derek Hough raved, “You’re like a burst of sunshine, like two little antidepressants dancing across the floor, seriously, just radiating joy with every single step you dance out there,” while Inaba said the late Len Goodman would have been smiling “ear to ear” over the dance.
“The Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei and partner Jenna Johnson performed a Cha Cha to “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake that earned three 10s for a a perfect score of 30. Hough praised the difficulty level of the routine, while Tonioli said it was “a sparkling jewel of a Cha Cha polished to perfection” and that the duo looked like “two pros out there.”
Amendola and partner Witney Carson performed a Tango to “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone, a re-do of their dance from Week 1. The dance earned 27 points and Inaba praised him for being the most improved male contestant.
For her redemption dance, Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and partner Alan Bersten performed a Jive to “Shake A Tail Feather” by Ray Charles. It earned 27 points.
Kinney and Armstrong performed a redemption Jive to “APT.” by Rosé & Bruno Mars that Inaba proclaimed “amazing,” Hough called “sensational” and Tonioli “a triumph.” The duo, who was the first to earn a perfect score this season, once again earned all 10s, as they did for their freestyle.
Freestyle Round Brings Barbie, Tennis and Pommel Horse Dances
Amendola and Carson became Ken and Barbie for a Freestyle to “Pink” by Lizzo and “I’m Just Ken” from the “Barbie” movie, with Amendola showing off his abs and donning a blonde wig and the ridiculous fur coat like Ryan Gosling wore in the film. Hough and Tonioli both gave out 10s, with Inaba handing out a 9 for total score of 110.
Graziadei and Johnson performed a tennis-themed Freestyle that Tonioli praised for combining traditional ballroom and Busby Berkeley-style musical. the dance earned 29 points, bringing the Bachelor’s total score for the evening to 117.
Season 32 champs Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy returned to the ballroom for a performance to “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan. (Since her triumph, she turned 18, graduated from high school, went on tour and bought a car.)
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten’s Freestyle was scored to “Femininomenon” by District 78 ft Mona Rue that had Inaba literally screaming, “My mind is blown! You leave me feeling so empowered. That’s the magic of the dance.” The dance earned her first perfect score for 114 total points.
Stephen Nedoroscik performed an “acrobatic and artistic” Freestyle to “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay that involved him and partner Rylee Arnold dancing and balancing on the pommel horse. Inaba and Hough both got emotional, with a teary Inaba saying she didn’t want this season to end.
Every celebrity from Season 33 returned for the big night, even the first one eliminated, “Inventing Anna” subject Anna Delvey, who bluntly answered “nothing” when asked what she was taking away from the competition when she was cut in Week 1.
The post ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Finale: Who Won Season 33? appeared first on TheWrap.