The Mirrorball trophy has a new home! Season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars” concluded in a dazzling finale that saw former “Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei and professional dancer Jenna Johnson emerge victorious. Their journey, filled with impressive footwork and captivating performances, culminated in a well-deserved win, captivating audiences and judges alike. Let’s delve into the highlights of the finale and revisit how Graziadei and Johnson danced their way to the top.
A Night of Redemption and Freestyle Performances
The “Dancing with the Stars” finale was packed with excitement, featuring both redemption rounds and freestyle dances. Each of the finalists – Joey Graziadei, Danny Amendola, Chandler Kinney, Ilona Maher, and Stephen Nedoroscik – had the opportunity to revisit a previous dance and showcase their growth throughout the season. This high-stakes night was not just about technical skill, but also about demonstrating artistry, connection with their partners, and the ability to command the stage.
For their redemption dance, Graziadei and Johnson revisited their cha-cha to Justin Timberlake’s upbeat hit, “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”. This time, their performance was elevated to a new level of polish and precision, earning them a perfect score and reaffirming their frontrunner status. Judge Bruno Tonioli praised the routine as “polished to perfection,” while Derek Hough noted it as a definitive “punctuation mark” on Graziadei’s “DWTS” journey.
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson perform their freestyle dance on Dancing with the Stars
Their freestyle performance was equally memorable. Paying homage to Graziadei’s background as a tennis instructor, they danced to “Canned Heat” by District 78 featuring Jake Simpson in a dynamic, tennis-inspired routine. Complete with glow-in-the-dark tennis rackets, the freestyle showcased their creativity and versatility, earning them a near-perfect score of 29 out of 30.
The Fierce Competition: Other Finalists Shine
While Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson ultimately took home the Mirrorball, the other finalists delivered spectacular performances, making the competition incredibly tight.
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson showcased Amendola’s impressive transformation throughout the season. For his redemption tango to Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s “I Had Some Help,” Amendola received high praise from judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who acknowledged his significant growth. Their freestyle, a fun Barbie and Ken inspired number to Lizzo’s “Pink” and “I’m Just Ken,” further highlighted their entertainment value. Ultimately, they finished in fifth place.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong, the first Black pair to reach the “DWTS” finale, consistently impressed the judges with their technical skill and artistry. Kinney’s jive to “Apt.” by Rosé and Bruno Mars was described as a “triumph” by Tonioli, earning them a perfect score in the redemption round. Their freestyle, a powerful tribute to Black artists featuring “Hellzapoppin'” and “Move On Up,” also garnered a perfect score and cemented their third-place finish.
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten brought energy and enthusiasm to the dance floor. Maher’s jive redemption dance to “Shake A Tail Feather” was a significant improvement from her initial performance, earning praise from the judges. Her freestyle to Chappell Roan’s “Femininomenon,” where she donned a Mirrorball-esque bodysuit, was a fun and fitting end to their journey, placing them as runners-up.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold demonstrated incredible athleticism and precision. Nedoroscik’s quickstep redemption to the “Friends” theme song, “I’ll Be There for You,” was a marked improvement, earning positive feedback. His freestyle, set to Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” incorporated his signature pommel horse and fellow gymnasts, earning a perfect score and securing fourth place.
Bachelor Nation Continues Its “DWTS” Dominance
Joey Graziadei’s victory continues a trend of “Bachelor” franchise contestants finding success on “Dancing with the Stars.” He joins Hannah Brown (Season 28 winner) and Kaitlyn Bristowe (Season 29 winner) as Bachelor Nation alums who have claimed the Mirrorball trophy. This consistent success speaks to the dedication, work ethic, and fanbase that these contestants bring to the competition.
The Season 33 finale of “Dancing with the Stars” was a celebration of dance, growth, and entertainment. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson’s win was the culmination of weeks of hard work, captivating performances, and connection with the audience. Their journey to becoming “Dancing with the Stars” champions is a testament to their talent and dedication.
