Reality TV star Joey Graziadei and professional dancer Jenna Johnson won “Dancing With the Stars” Season 33, defying early expectations and delivering exceptional performances in Tuesday night’s dramatic conclusion.
The top five contenders performed difficult redemption dances and high-energy freestyle acts during the three-hour competition. While many expected Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong to win, they ultimately finished third.
Graziadei’s triumph concluded a season of steady success. Judge Bruno Tonioli praised the couple’s outstanding performances, describing their Cha-Cha as “a sparkling jewel polished to perfection” and their freestyle routine as an innovative blend of conventional ballroom and classical musical choreography.
The finale’s innovative format enabled contestants to revisit and build on past dance styles. Olympian Ilona Maher and partner Alan Bersten finished second, earning their first perfect score with a spectacular freestyle that inspired judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik’s inventive performance with a pommel horse in his freestyle routine and former NFL player Danny Amendola’s creative Barbie-themed dance was memorable.
Kinney and Armstrong’s revolutionary tribute to African-American dance luminaries such as the Nicholas Brothers was a standout performance. Their routine marked the first time a Black duet made it to the finale. Inaba expressed her emotions about their historic triumph.
The evening also featured a nostalgic reunion of former contestants, including Season 32 champions Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. Even the eliminated contender, Anna Delvey, made a brief appearance.
Graziadei and Johnson finished first, Maher and Bersten in second, Kinney and Armstrong in third, Nedoroscik and Arnold in fourth, and Amendola and Carson in fifth.
