Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars has come to an end, and they have crowned another mirror ball champion. It was a massive three-hour finale that saw the remaining five couples compete in three separate dance rounds: freestyle, judges’ choice, and the instant dance challenge. It’s been an action-packed, celebrity-filled, and intense journey to the final show. We even saw those eliminated come back for a final dance. There was a flashy opening number, and it was straight into the competitive dances. Now let’s see if it was your favorite who won.
Judge’s Choice
For the judge’s choice, they assigned each couple a dance style that they hadn’t performed yet.
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
Alix Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy were assigned the samba by Carrie Anne Inaba, and they danced to ‘Hip Hip Chin Chin‘ by Club des Belugas. Earle spoke highly of working with Inaba in rehearsals and enjoyed the intensity with which her teaching style focused. Inaba said, “Way to start the finale,” and “You’ve developed your signature style.” Derek Hough said, “That was so good,” and “It was so filled with content.” Bruno Tonioli said, “Fasten your seat belts,” and “the first dance, great dancer, and as a performer, you have become an absolute star.” They scored a 30 out of 30 for their first dance.
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
Dylan Efron and his partner Daniella Karagach were assigned a pasa doble, and we’re dancing to ‘Stampede‘ by Alexander Jean featuring Lindsey Stirling. Efron started the competition towards the bottom of the leaderboard and has truly worked hard to make it all the way to the finale. I’m sure him taking off his shirt scored him a couple of votes with the ladies. Tonioli said, “I’m speechless,” and “beautiful shapes.” Inaba said, “Tonight you really showcased,” and “the hands got a little flat.” Hough said, “Your improvement has been remarkable,” and “could have stretched a little more.” They scored a 28 out of 30 for their first stance.
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten
Elaine Hendrix and her partner Alan Bersten were assigned the rumba to ‘Take My Breath Away‘ by Jae Hall from Hough. It’s truly great to see how far the actress has made it considering the injuries that have fallen upon her during this season, but we know she was ready to leave it all on the floor. Hoff said, “That was exquisite,” and “You have been on a hero’s journey.” Tonioli said, “My darling, pure lust,” and “pitch-perfect interpretation.” Inaba said, “I have been waiting to see you do a dance like this,” and “that was beautifully expressive.” They scored a 30 out of 30 for their first dance
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson were assigned a quick step to ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl‘ by Jet from Hough. Irwin has claimed the leaderboard more than once, and he seemed to keep the hot streak going for the finale. He suffered an injury during rehearsals that made it a bit painful for him to breathe and move, and he seemed worried that going too hard in this stance might leave him unable to dance the other two rounds. But he noted that he didn’t want Carson to go easy on him either with the choreography. Hough said, “Robert, the quickstep king,” and “crisp and clean.” Tonioli said, “The acceleration of a cheetah.” Inaba said, “amazing, wonderful,” and “a little fumble.” They scored a 29 out of 30 for their first dance.
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
Jordan Chiles and her partner Ezra Sosa were assigned the paso doble to ‘Breakin’ Dishes‘ by Rihanna from Inaba. Chiles and Sosa ended the previous episode with a perfect score, so there is definitely some pressure to bring it once again for the finale. This also marks Sosa’s first time making it all the way to the finale. Inaba said, “You’re a pleasure to work with,” and “just the beginning didn’t quite come together.” Hough said, “You did the dang thing,” and “it had it all.” Tonioli said, “Kick ass paso doble,” and “queen of the Amazon.” They scored a 29 out of 30 for their first dance.
Instant Dance
The instant dance is a new challenge in which each couple will find out their dance style and music just 5 minutes before they step onto the ballroom floor. The contestants will blindly choose the style of dance. The celebrities will have to rely on muscle memory more than anything else since the pros won’t have time to choreograph. They would have to rehearse multiple different styles of dances and be ready to remember it within the time frame.
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
Earle and Chmerkovskiy were assigned a cha cha to ‘Where Is My Husband‘ by Raye. They came out with a bang, delivering a dance that we find hard to believe wasn’t fully prepared in advance. Tonioli said, “The transformation is incredible.” Inaba said, “Blown away,” and “You rose to the occasion.” Hough said, “Really cool to see this,” and “You have the vocabulary.” They scored a 30 out of 30 for their second dance.
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
Efron and Karagach blindly chose a foxtrot for their second performance to the song ‘Ordinary‘ by Alex Warren. Efron was hoping for the foxtrot as he said, “I feel pretty comfortable in frame.” In short, he pulled it off. Inaba said, “That was unbelievable,” and “I don’t think you know how amazing that is.” Hough said, “The control, the way you used your legs,” and “That was one of the best foxtrots from a man ever.” Tonioli said, “The quality of movement you were totally controlling it.” They scored a 30 out of 30 for their second dance.
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten
Hendrix and Bersten drew a quick step to ‘You Can’t Hurry Love‘ by The Supremes. She has danced a quick step before during their Disney night and was given good feedback, so she has that to fall back on. There were quite a few foot mistakes and missteps, but they were minor, and the judges were impressed with how she kept up with the dance. Hough said, “The quick step queen,” and “little misstep.” Tonioli said, “Glossy and glamorous as ever and “a few footfalls.” Inaba said, “A few minor things,” and “Loved how you carried yourself through the dance.” They scored 27 out of 30 for their second dance.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
Irwin and Carson blindly chose the Cha Cha to ‘Cake By The Ocean‘ by DNCE. The look on Irwin’s face was one of worry but also excitement, so it felt like the dance could go either way. Also from Disney night was his cha cha, but it was one of his lowest scores of the season, and this could be a redemption for Irwin. During rehearsals, he said, “That this is one dance that’s never really made sense” to him. He brings a huge personality to the dance that really sells it, and that’s half the battle. Tonioli said, “So much cleaner,” and “Placement was so much better.” Inaba said, “The partnership,” and “it’s been wonderful.” Hough said, “I was nervous for you,” and “The way you were rotating.” They scored a 30 out of 30 for their second dance.
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
Chiles and Sosa closed out the round with the chosen tango to ‘I Like It‘ by Alesso and Nate Smith. This is their chance to bring up the score from the last time they danced a tango and show off how much they have improved since then. Inaba said, “What you just performed is fantastic, nice and clean, and sharp.” Hough said, “I couldn’t have thought of a better dance for the challenge for you.” Tonioli said, “Fab-u-lous.” They scored a 30 out of 30 for their second dance.
The Freestyle
The freestyle is a fan favorite, where the pros get to choreograph this dance however they want, and allows them to play to the celebrity partner’s strengths while also challenging them more than ever. Including different styles from different dances.
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
Earle and Chmerkovskiy danced their freestyle to a mash-up of ‘Man Eater‘ by Nelly Furtado and ‘Sports Car‘ by Tate McRae. It definitely highlighted how much they’ve elevated each other this season, and Earle comes swinging out with one of her fiercest performances of the entire season. She looked like a true pro and a pop star. Hough said, “You are an absolute superstar,” and “confidence isn’t something that you have, it’s something that you do.” Tonioli said the dominatrix unleashed. Inaba said, “I’m really touched by you,” and “you dance with your heart open.” They scored a 30 out of 30 for their third dance.
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
Efron and Karagach danced their freestyle to ‘Something In The Heavens‘ by Lewis Capaldi. Efron says that for the first few weeks, he was not proud of himself after his performances, but now he’s finally feeling like he’s accomplished something worth his pride. Karagach wanted to showcase the energy of dance to illustrate how Efron fell in love with performing during the competition. Tonioli said, “Beautiful, poetic,” and “You really captured that elusive quality.” Inaba said, “I thought this dance was the perfect representation of what Dancing With the Stars is.” Hough said, “When I watch you dance, you have this kind masculinity,” and “I love you.” They scored a 30 out of 30 for their third dance.
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten
Hendrix and Bersten, for their final number, performed to ‘Opening: I Hope I Get It‘ from A Chorus Line. It was a fun number that involved some of the illuminated stars, such as Andy Richter. The actress also said that this process has taught her to believe in herself, and she’s going to keep on dancing long after the show is over. It was a very good performance and even made Inaba cry. Inaba said, “The way you share your spotlight with everyone,” and “It’s so beautiful to see.” Hough said, “You’ve completed this journey beautifully,” and “I’m so unbelievably proud.” Tonioli said, “You’ve got it,” and “You’ve done a fantastic job.” They scored a 30 out of 30 for their third dance.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
Irwin and Carson danced their freestyle to ‘Black and Gold‘ by Sam Sparro and ‘The Nights‘ by Avicii for the final performance. Irwin said he wanted this dance to be a giant thank you to America and to make his dad proud one last time. Hough said, “You have just done the most beautiful freestyle.” Tonioli said, “Mate, that was a 24 seven carrot gold performance. Inaba said, “I know he’s not here and I hope you’ll accept all our love as consolation.” They scored a 30 out of 30 for their third dance.
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
Chiles and Sosa closed out the season with a freestyle to ‘Motivation‘ by Normani and even had her join in on the dance. Chiles truly came into her own over the course of the show and was ready to bring that energy to her freestyle. She brought the ballroom floor down with an energizing nonstop showstopper. Tonioli said, “Queen B herself would love it,” and “It has been a night of show stoppers.” Inaba said, “You are a powerful woman of color,” and “That is the best freestyle I have ever seen.” Hoff said, “I was just thoroughly enjoying seeing that,” and “you were queen.” They scored a 30 out of 30 for their third dance.
Mirrorball Champions
Finally, it comes to who won the mirror ball, it was… Irwin and Carson, and we are so excited for them. Just 10 years after his sister Bindi Irwin won, he followed in her footsteps and quoted her saying, “Thank you for changing my life.” Carson said, “I’m so thankful to Robert.” It was wonderful following the season of Dancing With the Stars, and who knows, we might follow along for the next season to come. But the star-studded cast of contestants truly made the season one of the best to follow. Thank you, N Crowd, for reading and coming back to all of our updates!
