‘Dancing With the Stars’ Crowns Season 24 Champion
In a star-studded grand finale that rivaled a concert spectacular, Dancing With the Stars announced the champion of its 24th season. Former NFL star Rashad Jennings sashayed away with the Mirror Ball Trophy, along with his professional partner Emma Slater. Jennings and Slater bested Fifth Harmony singer, Normani Kordei and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy, who finished third, and former MLB star David Ross and his partner, Lindsay Arnold, who was the season’s runner-up.
The 2 1/2 hour grand finale included a final dance for the three final pairs, for which they had just 24 hours to prepare. This 24-hour fusion challenge doesn’t really count towards the contestants’ final scores, as the judges are usually generous.
Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater pose with their Dancing With the Stars Mirror Ball Trophies.
Viewers were also treated an outstanding opening number that featured all 12 of this season’s couples, along with judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Julianne Hough, and hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews.
Other highlights from the night included musical performances from Academy Award-nominated actress Hailee Steinfeld performing her latest single, “Most Girls,” OneRepublic performing their latest hit, “No Vacancy,” alongside a dance by Sharna Burgess and Gleb Savchenko, and Lady Antebellum performing their hit song, “You Look Good,” alongside a dance with Witney Carson, Hayley Erbert, Artem Chigvintsev and Gleb Savchenko. TLC also performed their hit song “Waterfalls.”
Former DWTS champ Nicole Scherzinger and Colt Prattes also treated the crowd to a dance from ABC’s upcoming Dirty Dancing remake. Scherzinger plays “Penny” and Prattes stars as “Johnny” in the musical event that airs Wednesday, May 24.
It’s a shock to many that Cordei wasn’t crowned as this season’s champion, but the stunner falls in line with the theme of this season’s shocking eliminations. Front-runners Heather Morris and Olympic Champion Simone Biles both made premature exits in the ballroom competition that relies on judges scores and votes from the general public.
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B
I liked Rashad and am glad he won.
The shocker to me was 2nd/3rd place shouldve been switched.
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R
The wrong couple won on Dancing with Stars. The couple that should have won was voted of just before the last 2 shows. I blame those troubles because they did nothing but put down Simone Biles left and right. They should be made to listen to themsevles how they talked to her. Than have the nevere to appare upset gave me a break. I have had it this show if it got CANCELLED I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY!!!!
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G
this year was a joke! I have nothing against those who won but this has now turned into a farce. If you want to see the best dancers win then don't follow this show! I used to watch it very faithfully but the past couple years have strained patience! No longer worth the hour or two they stretch this farce into.
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R
I agree. This was a disappointment and really quite a farce as you stated. This show after this season will be lucky to get some "B' or even "C" listed entertainers/performers to come on this show. I didn't watch the show just the dances from a blog reporter I won't even do that for the next season.
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C
I agree with you; however, DWTS was never about the best dancers winning. It was, and continues to be, a popularity contest.
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