Joey Graziadei has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first male contestant from “The Bachelor” to claim victory on “Dancing With the Stars.” Partnered with Jenna Johnson, he secured the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy during the three-hour finale on Tuesday night.
The runners-up included Ilona Maher with Alan Bersten in second place, Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong in third, Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold in fourth, and Danny Amendola with Witney Carson rounding out the top five.
Reflecting on the win, Graziadei expressed disbelief, describing the experience as “crazy” and sharing his excitement for what lies ahead. He mentioned plans to stay in Los Angeles and remain open to new opportunities.
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten finish strong in second place on DWTS
For Johnson, the victory was especially meaningful as her husband, Val Chmerkovskiy, a previous champion, presented the trophy alongside his former partner, Xochitl Gomez. She expressed gratitude for the moment, calling it her favorite season and cherishing the opportunity to share the win with Graziadei.
Host Alfonso Ribeiro highlighted the competitiveness of the season, calling it the tightest yet, with no clear frontrunner for the prize. Viewer participation also set new records, emphasizing the show’s resurgence in popularity. Ribeiro expressed hope for the series to maintain its momentum in future seasons.
This marks Johnson’s second Mirrorball Trophy, her first being with Olympic skater Adam Rippon in Season 26. While Graziadei’s win is historic for male contestants from “The Bachelor,” past victories from the franchise include “Bachelorette” stars Hannah Brown and Kaitlyn Bristowe.
Runner-up Ilona Maher expressed pride in her progress, praising her partner Alan Bersten for creating dances that showcased her strengths. She acknowledged her fans for their support, noting how her journey resonated with many. Their freestyle performance incorporated memorable moments from the Paris Olympics and went viral on TikTok, a testament to Maher’s vibrant personality and growth as a dancer.
The excitement continues as Maher, Bersten, Graziadei, Johnson, and others join the “Dancing with the Stars: Live 2025” tour. Kicking off on January 7 in Richmond, Virginia, and concluding on April 5 in Los Angeles, fans can purchase tickets at dwtstour.com.
