Bachelor Joey Graziadei and professional partner Jenna Johnson took home the Len Goodman mirrorball trophy of ABC’s Season 33 of Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) grand finale. The judge’s scores and audience votes are combined to reveal the winner. The audience saw redemption dances, creative freestyles and the return of this season’s past dancers!
Disney says Season 33 broke a voter record with 32 million votes for the five finalists. While there could only be one winner, Season 33 had a memorable top-five!
Fifth Place: Danny Amendola and Witney Carson
NFL football player and Super Bowl champion, Danny Amendola and pro Witney Carson began their night with a powerful redemption tango to Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help”, featuring Morgan Wallen (Scores: 9,9,9). For their freestyle, they transported the audience to Barbie world with a vibrant performance and jaw-dropping lifts to “Pink” by Lizzo and “I’m Just Ken” by Ryan Gosling (Scores: 9,10,10).
Fourth Place: Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold
Penn State alumnus and Olympic medalist Stephen Nedroscik and pro partner Rylee Arnold, opened their finale with a joyful redemption Quickstep to “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts (Scores: 10, 9, 10).
The duo then delivered a show-stopping gymnastics-inspired freestyle to Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” wowing the audience with its athleticism and artistry. The routine earned them their first perfect score of the season (10, 10, 10). Adding to the excitement, Nedroscik invited three of his Olympic teammates to join them in the ballroom.
Third Place: Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong
Actress and Singer Chandler Kinney and pro partner Brandon Armstrong made DWTS history as the first Black couple. They started off the night with an upbeat redemption Jive to “Apt.” by Rosé and Bruno Mars (Scores: 10, 10, 10). Their heartfelt freestyle to “Helzzapoppin” by Eyal Vilner Big Band and “Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield celebrated artistry and talent for entertainment in Black history (Scores: 10, 10, 10).
Second Place: Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten
Olympic Rugby medalist Ilona Maher and pro partner Alen Bernsten claimed second place in the DWTS finale. They kicked their night off with an energetic redemption Jive to “Shake a Tail Feather” by Ray Charles and the Blues Brothers (Scores: 9, 9, 9). For their freestyle, the duo delivered a showstopping performance, earning their first perfect score. Set to “Feminiomenon” by Chappell Roan, they dedicated the freestyle to female empowerment and the memorable season (Scores: 10,10,10).
First Place: Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson
Bachelor Joey Graziadei and pro partner Jenna Johnson dazzled the audience during their final night of competition. They kicked things off with a sharp redemption Cha-Cha set to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” earning a perfect score of 30 (10, 10, 10). For their freestyle, the duo performed an electrifying routine to “Canned Heat,” performed by District 78 featuring Jake Simpson, paying tribute to Joey’s lifelong passion for tennis (Scores: 9, 10, 10).
The night ended in triumph as Graziadei and Johnson claimed the Len Goodman mirrorball trophy. Overwhelmed with emotion, Graziadei shared with the audience, “It means everything.” This victory marks Jenna Johnson’s second Mirrorball win, her first since Season 26.
A Grand Return
The cast of Season 33 was one to remember. The finale brought back this season’s eliminated for an opening number and special performances, featuring familiar faces Dwight Howard, Reginald VelJohnson, Phaedra Parks, Tori Spelling, Eric Roberts and Anna Delvy. Showmances reignited in the ballroom with duo Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber, as well as Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko.
The night also showcased other remarkable performances, including an electrifying Argentine Tango by three-time champion Mark Ballas and Judge Derek Hough. Season 32 champions Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy returned to deliver a stunning dance to “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, culminating in the ceremonial handoff of the Mirrorball Trophy to the Season 33 winners.
This season has been a celebration of passion, talent, and unforgettable moments, leaving fans eagerly speculating about the stars of Season 34. Many have taken to social media, not only to share their excitement but also to advocate for the return of two seasons per year, proving the enduring love for this iconic show.
Dancing With The Stars: Live! tour will be coming to Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center on Jan. 25, 2025. The tour will include special appearances by Stephen Nedoroscik, Chandler Kinney, Ilona Maher and Joey Graziadei.
What are your thoughts on DWTS Season 33? Let us know @VALLEYmag!
