Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson's hard work and impressive footwork led them to victory in the thrilling Season 33 finale of Dancing with the Stars, earning them the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The 29-year-old Bachelor alum and the talented 30-year-old choreographer took the top prize during a jam-packed night of competition, besting a talented group of finalists. These included Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola and pro Witney Carson, actress Chandler Kinney and pro Brandon Armstrong, Olympian rugby player Ilona Maher and pro Alan Bersten, and Olympian gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and pro Rylee Arnold. The excitement and drama built up to this moment, making for a finale that was nothing short of spectacular.
This victory added to the recent success story for Bachelor Nation on DWTS, as Graziadei's win continues a streak that has seen other fan-favorite contestants from the franchise take home the Mirrorball Trophy in recent years. Hannah Brown's victory in 2019 and Kaitlyn Bristowe’s win the following year set the stage, and now Graziadei has joined the ranks of these Bachelor alumni who have danced their way to success.
Leading up to their win, Graziadei and Johnson delivered an unforgettable tennis-themed freestyle dance to "Canned Heat" by District 78, featuring Jake Simpson. This performance paid homage to Graziadei's past as a tennis instructor before his rise to fame on The Bachelor. The couple's chemistry and creativity shone through in this performance, with their tennis-inspired routine earning them a perfect score. Graziadei's redemption dance, a cha-cha to Justin Timberlake's "Can't Stop the Feeling!," was another standout. The performance was flawless, earning them a perfect 10 across the board. As the final results were announced, Graziadei and Johnson’s remarkable performances solidified their victory, bringing them the well-deserved Mirrorball Trophy.
The finale was packed with excitement, showcasing a series of redemption dances and freestyle routines that thrilled both the judges and the audience. Each contestant had one last chance to impress with a performance that would either redeem or elevate their past routines. Amendola and Carson took fifth place, Nedoroscik and Arnold secured fourth, and Kinney and Armstrong earned third place. Maher and Bersten were the runners-up, but Graziadei and Johnson’s dynamic performances throughout the season gave them the edge to clinch the win.
A true highlight of the finale was the redemption round, where each contestant had the opportunity to revisit a routine they had previously struggled with, offering a fresh chance to improve. Amendola’s redemption dance, a cowboy tango set to Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s "I Had Some Help," was an intense and impressive transformation. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba noted Amendola’s growth, stating, “Out of all the men, you have made the biggest transformation.” His freestyle performance was equally entertaining, with Amendola and Carson channeling Barbie and Ken in a fun routine to Lizzo’s "Pink" and the Oscar-nominated “I’m Just Ken.”
In a fierce and passionate competition, Graziadei’s performance of "Can't Stop the Feeling!" was a standout moment, with judge Bruno Tonioli praising it as "polished to perfection." Derek Hough described the dance as the perfect punctuation for Graziadei’s DWTS journey, emphasizing the smooth and confident execution that had become a trademark of the couple's performances. Graziadei and Johnson's flair for showmanship was further demonstrated in their freestyle, which featured glow-in-the-dark tennis rackets and earned them an impressive score of 29 out of 30.
Chandler Kinney, known for her dynamic performances, electrified the audience with her jive to "Apt." by Rosé and Bruno Mars. The routine had the crowd on their feet, earning a perfect score from the judges. Tonioli remarked that it “went beyond redemption,” and Hough described it as “sensational.” Kinney, along with her partner Brandon Armstrong, made history as the first Black pair to reach the DWTS finale, further cementing their place in the competition's legacy. Their freestyle was another standout, a heartfelt tribute to Black artists set to “Hellzapoppin’” by Eyal Vilner Big Band and Curtis Mayfield's “Move On Up,” which also earned a perfect score.
Ilona Maher’s redemption jive was another moment to remember, as she performed a soulful routine to "Shake A Tail Feather" by Ray Charles and The Blues Brothers. The judges were full of praise for her transformation, with Inaba exclaiming, “Redemption is yours!” Tonioli echoed the sentiment, calling Maher’s second performance "so much better" than her original. Maher’s freestyle, a fierce number set to Chappell Roan’s “Femininomenon,” earned her a perfect score, further showcasing her growth and determination throughout the season.
Stephen Nedoroscik, the Olympian gymnast, made a bold statement with his redemption dance, a high-energy quickstep set to the theme song of Friends, "I’ll Be There for You" by The Rembrandts. Tonioli was impressed by his sharp, fast movements, saying he was "running on top gear—fast, smooth, clear." Nedoroscik’s freestyle, set to Coldplay’s "Viva La Vida," was nothing short of spectacular. The gymnast incorporated his signature pommel horse into the routine, accompanied by several of his gymnastics teammates. The performance earned a perfect score, solidifying Nedoroscik’s position as one of the most impressive contestants of the season.
The finale kicked off with an electrifying group performance to Madonna’s iconic 80s hit “Holiday.” The upbeat number, choreographed by Ray Leeper, featured a star-studded ensemble that included eliminated contestants from the season like Anna Delvey, Tori Spelling, Eric Roberts, and Jenn Tran. The lively performance set the tone for the rest of the night, with co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro joining in the fun. The star-studded opening number was a fitting start to the finale, highlighting the energy and excitement that Dancing with the Stars continues to bring to its audience year after year.
In the end, Graziadei and Johnson’s victory wasn’t just about their exceptional dancing skills, but also about their journey throughout the competition. From their early days on the show to their powerful freestyle and redemption routines, they showed incredible growth and determination. Their win adds to the ever-growing list of Bachelor franchise alumni who have conquered the DWTS stage, but Graziadei’s victory may be one of the most memorable. With a season full of stellar performances, dramatic moments, and unforgettable routines, the Season 33 finale proved to be a celebration of dance, talent, and hard-earned triumphs.
The show may be over for now, but the legacy of this season will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best. Whether you were cheering for Graziadei or rooting for another couple, one thing is clear: Dancing with the Stars has once again delivered a finale full of heart, passion, and excitement.
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