All five finalists on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Photo:Eric McCandless/DISNEY via Gett
Eric McCandless/DISNEY via Gett
Warning: this post contains spoilers from the season 32 finale ofDancing with the Stars.
Dancing with the Starshas finally named its winner forseason 32!
Tuesday night’s episode saw the latest season come to a close, with Marvel actressXochitl Gomezand her pro partnerVal Chmerkovskiybeing named the winners of the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, which was officiallyrenamed in Septemberfollowing the death of longtime head judgeLen Goodman.
Xochitl and Val beat out runner-up, singerJason Mraz, as well as actressAlyson Hannigan,Vanderpump RulesstarAriana Madix, andBachelorettestarCharity Lawson.
Energy in the ballroom was high from the start with co-hostsJulianne HoughandAlfonso Ribeirokicking off the episode with a warm welcome and a celebration of the five finalists — a first for the show — as they prepared to compete for the winner’s title.
Before the dances kicked off, the judges —Derek Hough,Bruno TonioliandCarrie Ann Inaba— shared their individual insight on what each finalist brings to the ballroom and why they could potentially win it all.
The cast then performed an opening dance number, which featured the season 32 pros and the return of their celebrity partners, as well as the five finalists entering the ballroom from the ceiling, suspended on their own disco balls.
The episode also featured a look back at season 32 as a whole, a dance fromseason 31 winnersCharli D’AmelioandMark Ballas, and anothershirtless performancefrom season 32 competitorBarry Williams.
Midway through the finale, the pros delivered a Christmas-themed dance featuring a surprise appearance from season 5 star and race car driverHélio Castroneves, former proWitney Carson, season 28 champion and formerBacheloretteHannah Brown, and season 24 champion and NFL playerRashad Jennings.
Finalist Jason Mraz also delivered a live performance to his song “I Feel Like Dancing” beside the pros and judge Derek Hough.
FIRST ROUND: REDEMPTION DANCE
Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber
How I Met Your MotheralumAlyson Hanniganadmitted she thought Alfonso “made a mistake” when she was announced as one of the finalists. The actress then recalled her experience on the show, laughing at how she was “terrible” in the beginning but slowly improved. Her “turning point” was the Viennese waltz, but Sasha said she didn’t hit a “breakthrough” until week 8.
Carrie Ann pushed Alyson to tap into her “feminine power” and even helped her overcome some emotions in rehearsal, where theAmerican Piealum broke down in tears over the pressure and desire to want to “do her very best.”
After performing her dance, Carrie Ann commended the progress Alyson has made, saying she has “grace and confidence now” and she’s “so proud” of her. Derek agreed, saying he felt their dance showed off Alyson’s “confidence [and] joy” and she “owned that crowd tonight.” Bruno was on his feet, adding how he loved seeing Alyson’s “confidence blossom.”
In the skybox afterward, Alyson’s fellowDWTScompetitorHarry Jowseycouldn’t help but cry happy tears, telling her he was “so proud” of her for making it to the final, despite being the underdog of the finalists.
Score: 25/30
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach
SingerJason Mrazand proDaniella Karagachcelebrated making it into the finale as they looked back at their time onDWTS. For Jason, the ride wasn’t an easy one as he hit a rough patch in the middle of the competition that caused his scores to drop. However, as Daniella noted, he really hit his stride in week 9.
“Now I’ve had 10+ weeks dancing in the ballroom,” Jason told cameras. “My confidence is stronger and my body has hardened, I need everything to go right.”
In the skybox, Jason and Daniella were both moved to tears as they reflected on their progress.
Score: 30/30
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov
In rehearsals, Ariana was thrilled to make it into the finale and said her journey has been “incredible” and “crazy.” Looking back on her progress, Pasha couldn’t help but point out how Ariana “pushed through” despite her injuries.
Derek advised Ariana and Pasha to focus on their arm placement and keeping their feet closed. “In order to redeem myself, I have to be a perfect dancer,” Ariana vowed.
After their dance, the crowd was on their feet — and it appeared Ariana even had another special guest in the audience: fellowVPRstarKatie Maloney.
Score: 29/30
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev
Charity said making it to theDWTSfinale was “the best feeling” aside from getting engaged to herBachelorettefinalistDotun Olubeko.
“It’s so exciting to say I made it and I’m here,” she said as she reflected on her up-and-down journey on the show, which often included receiving constructive criticism from the judges.
After their dance, Carrie Ann called the routine “amazing” and praised the “connection” between Charity and Artem. She did, however, point out a mistake in their dance. Derek was on his feet and called the routine “the best dance of the night so far,” calling it “captivating,” “fierce” and “so strong.” Bruno agreed, noting that their dance was “impeccably elegant” and “sleek.”
In the skybox, Charity spoke to Carrie Ann’s influence in rehearsals, saying “it really made the difference.”
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy
Marvel starXochitl GomezandVal Chmerkovskiycelebrated making it into the finale as Xochitl said she was “really proud” of her dance journey and progress. “Being here and making it this far, it’s pretty unbelievable and I’m really grateful,” she told cameras.
As Bruno arrived in rehearsals, he told Xochitl and Val they’d be dancing a redemption Foxtrot toKaty Perry’s “Unconditionally.” Xochitl vowed to take Bruno’s advice and “make him proud” — while also achieving a perfect score.
“Anything lower than a 10 is gonna be a little bit scary,” she said of the importance that the finale dances hold.
Though she was fearful of not receiving a 10, Xochitl’s fears appeared to be unfounded as she earned a perfect score for her first dance of the evening.
SECOND ROUND: FREESTYLE
Heading into the freestyle round, Xochitl and Val topped the leaderboard with a 90/90 (their redemption round score plus their scores from last week) while Alyson and Sasha sat at the bottom with 76/90.
Charity teared up in rehearsals as she anticipated dancing her final dance onDWTS. “It’s been so rewarding seeing myself change over the course of time,” she told Artem.
For her freestyle, Charity decided to incorporate cheerleading into the routine since she cheered when she was younger. “I am among the best of the best so I have to do something extra to stand out,” she said.
However, in rehearsals, Charitysuffered a jaw injurythat ultimately sent her to the hospital in an ambulance. Charity feared she wouldn’t be able to open her mouth, but ultimately returned after confirming there were no breaks or serious injuries. “Nothing is gonna stop me from bringing home the mirrorball,” she vowed.
Bruno said the routine deserved to be on the Super Bowl while Carrie Ann praised it as “perfection.”
Total: 118
He said the song was a perfect fit because it was about choosing to “face your fears and find your happiness, and that’s been my journey on this show.” He also said he can’t believe how much he’s grown, noting, “When I look back at some of the dances, I can’t believe it’s me.”
Despite performing the “most intense routine that I’ve ever had to pull off,” Jason vowed to nail the dance. “I’m not that kid who gives up anymore,” he said, noting he would “dance without fear of being judged.”
“I fought my way into this finale,” he added. “I’m gonna give it my all and prove I have what it takes to win that mirrorball.”
Their dance had everyone on their feet, and led Bruno to say it was “out of this world.” Carrie Ann praised Jason for sharing his “vulnerable” journey and called it “wonderful.” Derek concluded the judges' feedback and said, “You didn’t just try, my friend, you succeeded. That was phenomenal!”
Total: 117
Ahead of her freestyle, Ariana recognized the importance of the dance. “This is everything,” she said.
She also praised Pasha for his partnership onDWTS. “If it wasn’t for you, being partnered with you, I don’t think I would know what I was capable of,” she said. “This experience has taught me that I can trust my partner, even if he’s just my dance partner… this whole experience has made me not underestimate myself.”
Reflecting on the “most insane year of my life,” Ariana said she was “so thrilled to be ending it on such an amazingly positive note,” noting that she’s “rediscovered at 38 years old… that my passions are reignited and I might be able to continue doing what I love now.”
“Dancing with the Stars might very well be the beginning of the rest of my life,” she added.
After their dance, Carrie Ann exclaimed how “that was off the charts” and commended her for showing off how she was so “empowered.” Derek said he was “living it” and praised Ariana for how she “shined in that routine.” Bruno called the routine “hot as hell.”
“I came into this for my kids and to prove I wasn’t gonna let my fear hold me back,” she said. “And I’ve proven even more to myself than to them. I’ve learned so much and grown in so many ways.”
‘I’m always gonna be so grateful for this experience," she added. “Now that I’m here, I am gonna go for it and I’m gonna finish big … winning the mirrorball would be a dream come true, one that I didn’t believe was even possible!”
Derek praised her for “coming out here every single week and giving it your call,” calling the dance “fantastic.” Bruno called her the “people’s champion,” while Carrie Ann celebrated Alyson’s “beautiful lines and lifts.” She added how “everything came together.”
Score: 28/30
Total: 104
Xochitl had no regrets about her time on the show and even told Val there was never a “moment of ever saying, ‘Man I wish I wasn’t on this show.'” She credited that feeling to her “amazing” partnership with Val and thanked him for “allowing me to be myself.”
“I’ve been on projects where a lot of people don’t listen to what I say… so being here and being able to have that is really nice,” she said.
For his part, Val said becoming a dad in the off-season helped him to “empower” Xochitl. “It definitely changed everything. There’s a sense of nurturing and protectiveness that I felt this season more than ever,” he said.
In rehearsals, Xochitl vowed to incorporate her culture, calling it “one of the most hype freestyle dances” fans will ever witness onDWTS. “Winning with him … would be awesome,” she added of Val.
Carrie Ann commended Xochitl for how she represented herself and her culture, noting that the dance showed a new “courageous” side of her and they “danced as one.”
Derek pointed out their connection, calling Xochitl the “most captivating, charamistic dancer on this show.”
Total: 120
RESULTS
After an evening of excitement, celebrity ballroom returns and memorable performances, it was finally time to crown a winner of season 32. Before doing so, the finalists received some motivational messages of love from their closest friends and families.
Alfonso and Julianne then revealed the couple in fifth place was Alyson and Sasha. In fourth place were Charity and Artem, and Ariana and Pasha nabbed third place.
This left Xochitl and Val and Jason and Daniella as the final two. Charli D’Amelio then returned to the ballroom floor to present the mirrorball trophy to the winners.
In the final moments, Xochitl and Val were named the winners of season 32.
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy winning ‘DWTS’.abc
abc
Through her tears, Xochitl cried, “Oh my gosh!” after winning as the duo were lifted onto their costars’ shoulders and confetti fell from the ceiling.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
Dancing with the Starsseason 32 can be streamed in full on Disney+ and Hulu.
source: people.com
