In a finale that left Entertainment fans gasping, Joey Graziadei and pro partner Jenna Johnson were crownsed the DWTS winners of season 34, clinching the coveted Mirrorball Trophy after a dramatic showdown packed with flawless freestyles, shocking twists, and tear-jerking moments. The live broadcast from Los Angeles drew record viewership, capping a season filled with redemption arcs and powerhouse performances that dominated pop culture.
Freestyle Fireworks Ignite the Final Four Showdown
The tension was palpable as the final four couples—Joey Graziadei with Jenna Johnson, Charles Melton with Daniella Karagach, Ariana Madix with Pasha Kovalev, and NFL star Travis Kelce with Rylee Arnold—took the stage for their ultimate freestyles. Graziadei, the charming Bachelor star known for his boy-next-door appeal, transformed into a dance warrior, delivering a high-energy contemporary freestyle set to “Levitating” by Dua Lipa. Judges Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba erupted in standing ovations, with Hough declaring, “Joey, you’ve gone from novice to legend—this is pure artistry!”
Melton and Karagach countered with a sultry paso doble freestyle infused with Broadway flair, earning perfect 10s across the board. “Your chemistry is electric,” raved Tonioli, while fans on social media exploded with hashtags like #TeamCharles and #DWTSFinale. Madix, the Vanderpump Rules alum, brought theatrical fire to her jazz routine, but a minor lift wobble cost her points. Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, surprised everyone with a hip-hop infused freestyle that showcased his athleticism, scoring a strong 29/30 despite a risky backflip gone slightly awry.
- Joey & Jenna: Freestyle – 30/30; Redemption Dance (Cha Cha) – 29/30
- Charles & Daniella: Freestyle – 30/30; Redemption (Viennese Waltz) – 29/30
- Ariana & Pasha: Freestyle – 28/30; Redemption (Samba) – 27/30
- Travis & Rylee: Freestyle – 29/30; Redemption (Contemporary) – 28/30
These scores set the stage for a nail-biter, as viewer votes from weeks of weekly competitions poured in. Season 34 had already shattered records with 15 million weekly viewers, a 20% jump from season 33, thanks to a diverse cast blending reality TV stars, athletes, and actors.
Judges’ Split Decisions and Fan Vote Bombshell
As the clock ticked down, host Alfonso Ribeiro announced the first elimination: Ariana Madix and Pasha Kovalev, finishing fourth with cumulative scores and votes totaling 142 points. Madix wiped away tears, saying, “This journey healed me—thank you, DWTS family.” Third place went to Travis Kelce and Rylee Arnold at 148 points, with Kelce joking, “I traded touchdowns for twirls—best pivot ever!”
The real drama unfolded in the final two: Graziadei/Johnson at 152 points versus Melton/Karagach at 151. A tiebreaker relied on judges’ deliberation, where Hough praised Joey’s growth: “From week one jitters to this mastery—it’s inspirational.” Inaba highlighted Jenna’s choreography genius, while Tonioli called it “the closest finale in years.” But it was the fan vote that tipped the scales, with Graziadei surging ahead thanks to his massive Bachelor Nation following. Ribeiro revealed the winners amid confetti cannons and screams, crowning Joey and Jenna in a moment that trended worldwide with over 500,000 mentions on X in the first hour.
“We’ve poured our souls into this. Winning DWTS is a dream I never knew I had,” Joey said, hugging Jenna tightly.
This victory marked the first time a reality dating show alum has won since Juan Pablo Galavis’s runner-up finish in 2014, fueling Entertainment news cycles across outlets.
Season-Long Sagas: Injuries, Romances, and Redemption Arcs
Season 34 wasn’t just about the finale; it was a rollercoaster of emotion from premiere night. Graziadei, 28, entered as a wildcard after his Bachelor lead role, but early critiques on his foxtrot nearly sent him home. A mid-season ankle sprain during Disney Week forced a vulnerable paso doble, where Jenna adapted lifts on the fly, earning sympathy votes and a leaderboard climb.
Charles Melton, 33, fresh off May December acclaim, dazzled with technical precision but faced scrutiny over partnering rumors with Daniella, which they laughingly debunked: “We’re dance soulmates, nothing more,” Karagach told Entertainment Weekly post-elimination. Travis Kelce brought gridiron grit, surviving two bottom-two dances, including a Halloween hoop-dance that went viral with 10 million TikTok views. Ariana Madix redeemed her Scandoval drama through fiery Latin nights, partnering with Kovalev’s veteran flair.
Other highlights included guest stars like Taylor Swift cheering Kelce, and a tribute to late judge Len Goodman with an emotional group number. Stats show Latin dances dominated high scores, with sambas averaging 27.5/30, while fan-voted themes like Motown Week boosted engagement by 35%.
- Week 1 Shock: Kelce’s jive saves him from elimination.
- Midseason Pivot: Graziadei’s contemporary to Ed Sheeran catapults him to second.
- Quarterfinal Drama: Melton’s quickstep perfection ties record.
- Semifinal Tears: Madix dedicates rumba to ex Tom Sandoval.
Behind the glamour, rigorous rehearsals—up to 40 hours weekly—tested limits. Pros like Jenna revealed in interviews: “Joey’s work ethic rivaled Olympians; he lived for feedback.”
Pop Culture Tsunami: Social Media Storm and Celebrity Tributes
The finale didn’t just crown a winner; it ignited a culture phenomenon. #DWTSFinale amassed 2.5 million posts, with fans dissecting every lift. Bachelor alums like Charity Lawson tweeted, “Joey, you danced your way into history—proud!” Swifties rallied for Kelce, while Melton’s Hunger Games fans petitioned for a spin-off.
Celebrities flooded reactions: Zendaya called Melton’s freestyle “iconic,” and Mark Cuban praised Kelce’s hustle. Nielsen ratings hit 12.8 million live viewers, plus 5 million streams, making it ABC’s top unscripted night. Weekly news outlets hailed it as “the most dramatic DWTS since season 29’s Nelly upset.”
Merchandise flew off shelves—Mirrorball replicas sold 50,000 units overnight—and Spotify reported a 300% spike in finale song streams. For fans, it was more than dance; it was resilience personified, mirroring real-life triumphs amid global challenges.
Champions’ Horizon: Tours, Tours, and DWTS Legacy Expansion
As confetti settled, Joey and Jenna eyed the future. “We’re touring 20 cities this summer—get ready for live freestyles,” Johnson announced. Graziadei hinted at hosting gigs: “DWTS unlocked doors; next, maybe more TV magic.” Runners-up aren’t sidelined: Melton eyes Broadway, Kelce plans Chiefs halftime shows, and Madix teases a dance fitness app.
Producers teased season 35 with international pros and athlete-heavy casts, plus a juniors spin-off. The win boosts DWTS’s legacy—24 seasons strong—with 12 Mirrorballs to reality stars. For pop culture fans, this finale reaffirms DWTS‘s throne in entertainment, blending glamour, grit, and glory. Expect tour tickets to vanish fast, and whispers of celebrity reunions already swirling.
Stay tuned for exclusive interviews and tour dates in upcoming weekly updates— the dance floor never cools.
