Season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars” (DWTS) delivered a dazzling mix of personalities to the ballroom, from Olympic heroes and Bachelor Nation favorites to a Super Bowl champion and reality TV royalty. Fans tuned in to see who would take home the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, and after weeks of competition, a winner was crowned in an exciting finale.
The final showdown of Season 33 “DWTS” saw “Bachelor” heartthrob Joey Graziadei and Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher vying for the top spot.
Joey Graziadei and Ilona Maher in the DWTS Season 33 finale
Ultimately, it was Graziadei who triumphed, marking a historic win as the first “Bachelor” lead to ever win “DWTS.”
The full cast lineup was revealed in early September, building anticipation for a season filled with star power and dance floor drama. Among the first announced was Olympic bronze medalist Stephen Nedoroscik, known online as the “Pommel Horse Guy” after his viral performances.
Throughout the season, hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro guided viewers through the competition, revealing weekly voting results and adding their own sparkle to the show. The judging panel, featuring Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough, provided expert critiques and scores that shaped the leaderboard.
Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro hosting Dancing With the Stars Season 33
Season 33 threw a curveball in the semifinals, with no eliminations, sending an unprecedented five couples into the grand finale. Let’s take a closer look at the celebrities who competed for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in Season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars”:
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson DWTS Season 33 contestants
Coming off a journey to find love on Season 28 of “The Bachelor,” where he got engaged to Kelsey Anderson, tennis pro Joey Graziadei traded roses for routines. Known for his charm and athleticism, Graziadei, partnered with Jenna Johnson, quickly became a fan favorite. His winning performance not only earned him the Mirrorball Trophy but also solidified his place in “DWTS” history.
Joey Graziadei: Crowned the Season 33 “DWTS” Winner
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten DWTS Season 33 contestants
Olympian Ilona Maher brought her athletic prowess and infectious energy to “DWTS.” Representing Team USA in rugby sevens and a bronze medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Maher, paired with Alan Bersten, proved to be a strong competitor. Beyond her athletic achievements, Maher is an advocate for body positivity and a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model, inspiring fans both on and off the dance floor. Her journey culminated in a remarkable second-place finish.
Ilona Maher: Season 33 Finalist, Second Place
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong DWTS Season 33 contestants
Actress Chandler Kinney, known for her role as Tabitha “Tabby” Haworthe in “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” and Willa in Disney’s “Zombies” franchise, showcased her versatility on “DWTS.” Partnered with Brandon Armstrong, Kinney demonstrated grace and skill, earning her spot as a finalist and placing third in the competition.
Chandler Kinney: Season 33 Finalist, Third Place
Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart
Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart DWTS Season 33 contestants
Veteran actor Eric Roberts, brother of Julia Roberts and father of Emma Roberts, stepped into the ballroom to try his hand at dance. With a career spanning over four decades and roles in films like “Star 80,” “Runaway Train,” and “The Dark Knight,” Roberts, partnered with Britt Stewart, brought his star power to “DWTS.” He was eliminated in Week 3, during “Hair Metal Night.”
Eric Roberts: Eliminated Week 3
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson DWTS Season 33 contestants
Former New England Patriots wide receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola traded the football field for the dance floor. Partnered with Witney Carson, Amendola brought his competitive spirit to “DWTS.” Having retired from the NFL in 2022 after a successful career with teams like the Rams, Dolphins, Lions, and Texans, Amendola showed a different kind of footwork in the ballroom, reaching the finale and placing fifth.
Danny Amendola: Season 33 Finalist, Fifth Place
Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater
Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater DWTS Season 33 contestants
Reginald VelJohnson, beloved for his role as Carl Winslow on the iconic sitcom “Family Matters,” joined “DWTS” Season 33. Partnered with Emma Slater, VelJohnson brought warmth and humor to the show. His “Family Matters” co-star Jaleel White had previously competed on “DWTS” in Season 14. VelJohnson was eliminated in Week 3, also during “Hair Metal Night.”
Reginald VelJohnson: Eliminated Week 3
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold DWTS Season 33 contestants
Olympic bronze medalist Stephen Nedoroscik, the “Pommel Horse Guy,” was the first cast member announced for Season 33. His performances at the Paris Olympics, where he helped Team USA win its first team medal since 2008 and also secured an individual bronze, captivated audiences. Partnered with Rylee Arnold, Nedoroscik brought his athleticism and charm to “DWTS,” reaching the finale and finishing in fourth place.
Stephen Nedoroscik: Season 33 Finalist, Fourth Place
Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko
Model Brooks Nader, known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, including a cover in 2023, joined the cast of “DWTS.” Discovered after winning the 2019 Swim Search, Nader, partnered with Gleb Savchenko, brought her glamorous presence to the dance floor. She was eliminated in Week 4, during “Dedication Night.”
Brooks Nader: Eliminated Week 4
Tori Spelling and Pasha Pashkov
Tori Spelling and Pasha Pashkov DWTS Season 33 contestants
“Beverly Hills, 90210” icon Tori Spelling, famous for her role as Donna Martin, traded the Peach Pit for the “DWTS” ballroom. A household name from the ’90s hit series, Spelling, partnered with Pasha Pashkov, brought her star power and personality to the show. She was eliminated in Week 2, during “Oscars Night.”
Tori Spelling: Eliminated Week 2
Anna “Delvey” Sorokin and Ezra Sosa
Anna “Delvey” Sorokin, the infamous figure who posed as a German heiress and inspired the Netflix series “Finding Anna,” added a surprising twist to the “DWTS” cast. Known for swindling banks and hotels, Sorokin, partnered with Ezra Sosa, even sported her ankle monitor in promotional photos, a condition of her house arrest. Facing deportation proceedings, her appearance on “DWTS” was certainly memorable, though she was eliminated in Week 2, during “Oscars Night.”
Anna “Delvey” Sorokin: Eliminated Week 2
Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach
NBA star Dwight Howard, a center who played for teams like the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets, brought his competitive spirit to “DWTS.” A champion with the Lakers in 2020, Howard, partnered with Daniella Karagach, aimed for another trophy in the ballroom. He was eliminated in Week 7, on the show’s 500th episode.
Dwight Howard: Eliminated Week 7
Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy
Reality TV personality Phaedra Parks, known for “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” “Married to Medicine,” and “The Traitors,” brought her signature charm to “DWTS.” An attorney and businesswoman, Parks, partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy, added another reality TV chapter to her career. She was eliminated in Episode 5, during “Disney Night.”
Phaedra Parks: Eliminated Episode 5
Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber
Jenn Tran, the first Asian American lead on “The Bachelorette,” joined “DWTS” after her journey on Bachelor Nation. Partnered with Sasha Farber, Tran aimed to mend her broken heart on the dance floor. While her “Bachelorette” season finale saw a breakup with Devin Strader, she embraced the “DWTS” challenge. She was eliminated in Week 6, during “Halloween Nightmares” night.
Jenn Tran: Eliminated Week 6
Season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars” showcased a diverse and talented cast, making for an unforgettable season filled with exciting performances and surprising eliminations, ultimately culminating in Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson taking home the Mirrorball Trophy.
