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Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Finale: A Night of Dramatic Dances and a Controversial Winner

As the final episode of “Dancing with the Stars” Season 33 unfolds, anticipation is palpable. The finale features a lengthened three-hour format where one celebrity and their professional partner will be awarded the coveted Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy. Who will take home the trophy tonight? Readers can follow our live blog for ongoing updates and insights throughout the evening.

Interestingly, no contestants were eliminated after the Semi-Finals, allowing five pairs to vie for victory: Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola with pro partner Witney Carson, “The Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei paired with Jenna Johnson, television personality Chandler Kinney and pro Brandon Armstrong, Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher teamed with Alan Bersten, and Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik with pro partner Rylee Arnold.

Tonight’s competition comprises two rounds: the redemption round, where contestants revisit and refine a previously learned dance style, and the freestyle round, which allows for unbounded creativity and expression. Both rounds will showcase the couples’ growth and skills, placing them in direct contention for the judged scores and audience votes that will determine the season’s champion.

Unlike previous seasons, where eliminations narrowed the field significantly, the combined scores from the Semi-Finals and the Finale will play a crucial role in determining the winner. Fans are invited to engage in the excitement as the clock ticks down to the starting bell.

Live Commentary and Reactions

Cordell Martin, 8:00 pm — Is the first hour a recap?

Jeffrey Kare, 8:02 pm — It seems likely, reminiscent of last year’s format.

Daniel Montgomery, 8:07 pm — I would prefer a more balanced presentation rather than an hour dedicated to recaps followed by a rushed competition.

CM, 8:08 pm — Agreed, especially with five couples still competing.

DM, 8:13 pm — It’s good to see a recap of each contestant’s strengths.

DM, 8:16 pm — Final predictions: who’s likely to win?

JK, 8:16 pm — I’m leaning towards Chandler.

Redemption Round Performances

Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Quickstep)

DM, 8:34 pm — Stephen has a tough task ahead, having scored the lowest in the Semi-Finals, especially in a dance where timing was previously an issue.

JUDGES — Bruno praises Stephen’s performance while Carrie Ann highlights how far he has come. Derek notes it was markedly better than before.

DM, 8:37 pm — A commendable improvement from Stephen; he really delivered.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Bruno (10) = 29 out of 30

Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Cha Cha)

DM, 8:45 pm — As the first-ever bachelor to reach the finals, Joey is set to impress tonight.

JUDGES — Derek and Bruno are impressed by Joey’s precision, with Carrie Ann reaffirming his consistency.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (10), Bruno (10) = 30 out of 30

Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Tango)

DM, 8:57 pm — Danny has a chance to shine in the tango, which requires strong technique.

JUDGES — Derek sees improvement; Bruno emphasizes better control, while Carrie Ann notes Danny’s growth throughout the competition.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (9), Bruno (9) = 27 out of 30

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Jive)

DM, 9:16 pm — Ilona has notably improved this season and aims to overcome past struggles.

JUDGES — Bruno admires her execution, while Derek is proud of her progress.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (9), Bruno (9) = 27 out of 30

Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Jive)

DM, 9:31 pm — Chandler is deemed the season’s strongest technical dancer.

JUDGES — Praise pours in for Chandler’s redeeming performance, with Bruno hailing it as a celebration.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (10), Bruno (10) = 30 out of 30

Freestyle Round Performances

Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold

DM, 9:46 pm — Stephen’s gymnastics are beautifully integrated into his freestyle.

JUDGES — All judges commend the artistic component of the dance.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (10), Bruno (10) = 30 out of 30

Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson

DM, 9:58 pm — Joey showcases an innovative routine but faces mixed reviews.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (10), Bruno (10) = 29 out of 30

Danny Amendola and Witney Carson

DM, 10:10 pm — Danny’s freestyle is energetic with some clever production elements.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (10), Bruno (10) = 29 out of 30

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten

DM, 10:21 pm — Ilona’s performance resonates with empowerment and enthusiasm.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (10), Bruno (10) = 30 out of 30

Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong

DM, 10:32 pm — Chandler delivers a stunning freestyle performance, seeking the judges’ highest praises.

SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (10), Bruno (10) = 30 out of 30

Final Leaderboard

Tonight:

1. Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong — 30 + 30 = 60
2. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson — 30 + 29 = 59
2. Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold — 29 + 30 = 59
4. Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten — 27 + 30 = 57
5. Danny Amendola and Witney Carson — 27 + 29 = 56

Combined with “Semi-Finals”:

1. Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong — 118
2. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson — 117
3. Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten — 114
4. Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold — 112
5. Danny Amendola and Witney Carson — 110

Results

CM, 10:41 pm — This is going to be close.

JK, 10:42 pm — I have a feeling this may shake out as predicted.

DM, 10:43 pm — My final rankings are: 1. Joey, 2. Chandler, 3. Stephen, 4. Ilona, 5. Danny.

DM, 10:54 pm — The final results are in: 5th place goes to Danny Amendola, 4th to Stephen Nedoroscik, 3rd to Chandler Kinney. What a twist.

DM, 10:58 pm — The season’s winner is … Joey Graziadei!

JK, 10:59 pm — No major surprises here.

CM, 11:01 pm — Though Joey and Jenna performed admirably, Chandler’s third-place ranking has sparked much debate among fans.

CM, 11:02 pm — Nonetheless, kudos to Ilona for her impressive finish!

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