In a stunning conclusion to the competition, this former “Bachelor” has clinched the Mirrorball Trophy! Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson emerged as the winners of Season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars” on Tuesday night.
The finale featured four other couples vying for the title, marking only the second time in the show’s history that such a format was used. After triumphing over Ilona Maher, Stephen Nedoroscik, Danny Amendola, and Chandler Kinney, Graziadei expressed his gratitude for the “unbelievable” experience. “It means everything,” he shared with viewers. “Thank you for bearing with us. I tried my best, I promise!” He further emphasized that Jenna truly deserves this recognition, saying, “It’s all for her.”
From the dance floor to victory, Joey Graziadei celebrates a triumphant season
The trophy presentation was made by Johnson’s husband, Val Chmerkovskiy. The winning duo showcased their skills with a Freestyle routine and a Cha Cha redemption dance during the Tuesday episode, performing to “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake and “Canned Heat” by District 78 featuring Jake Simpson.
Carrie Ann Inaba offered critical feedback on the Cha Cha, stating it was “a tad underwhelming” and that “the energy just kind of dipped in the middle.” She remarked, “I just found some of the angles, because of the racket, had to be super tight and it just didn’t nail it.”
From the audience, Kelsey Anderson, Graziadei’s fiancée, responded by booing Inaba loudly and giving her a thumbs down. Chmerkovskiy called Inaba’s comments “unbelievable,” especially after Johnson put in such a dedicated effort. Judge Derek Hough and co-host Julianne Hough also supported the couple, defending their performance.
Despite the critiques, Graziadei and Johnson achieved an impressive overall score of 59. Maher, 28, and her professional partner Alan Bersten secured second place, followed closely by Kinney, 24, and Brandon Armstrong in third. Nedoroscik, 26, and Rylee Arnold finished in fourth, while Amendola, 39, and Witney Carson landed in the final spot.
