The season capped off Tuesday night with final dance numbers performed by the finalists as they compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.<\/b>
\n\u00ab\u00a0Dancing with the Stars\u00a0\u00bb has crowned its new Mirrorball champions.
After a high-stakes season 34 finale, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson won the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy after performing final dance numbers.
Finalists also included Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy; Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach; Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa; and Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten.
When asked by co-host Julianne Hough about what winning \u00ab\u00a0DWTS\u00a0\u00bb meant to him, Irwin said, \u00ab\u00a0My sister said it best: Thank you for changing my life.\u00a0\u00bb
Carson added, \u00ab\u00a0I’m so grateful for Robert, and I feel like I won already with him as my friend.\u00a0\u00bb
The final dances included one chosen by one of the judges, an \u00ab\u00a0Instant Dance Challenge\u00a0\u00bb for the ultimate test of improvisation and a freestyle round.
The winners of this season were determined by a combination of live viewer votes from the night as well as the scores from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.How did the show open?
The finale kicked off with an electrifying dance number to \u00ab\u00a0Never Can Say Goodbye\u00a0\u00bb by The Communards.
It also saw the return of cast members over the season, including Lauren Jauregui, Andy Richter, Corey Feldman, Danielle Fishel, Hilaria Baldwin, Scott Hoying, Whitney Leavitt and Baron Davis.What did the contestants dance first?
The episode began with the Judges’ Choice dance. Earle and Chmerkovskiy hit the dance floor first with a samba to \u00ab\u00a0Hip Hip Chin Chin\u00a0\u00bb by Club des Belugas.
At the end of her performance, Tonioli told Earle, \u00ab\u00a0As a performer, you’ve become an absolute star.\u00a0\u00bb
Earle earned 10s across the board for a total score of 30 for the routine.
Efron took the stage next with Karagach and performed a paso doble to \u00ab\u00a0Stampede\u00a0\u00bb by Alexander Jean featuring Lindsey Stirling.
His performance earned a score of 28 after Inaba pointed out that Efron’s hands \u00ab\u00a0got a little flat\u00a0\u00bb during his performance. Her critique was met with boos from attendees in the ballroom.
Hendrix and Bersten earned a score of 30 for their rumba to \u00ab\u00a0Take My Breath Away\u00a0\u00bb by Jae Hall.
Hough called their interpretation of the dance \u00ab\u00a0exquisite\u00a0\u00bb and \u00ab\u00a0beautiful.\u00a0\u00bb
Irwin and Carson’s quickstep to \u00ab\u00a0Are You Gonna Be My Girl\u00a0\u00bb by Jet was lauded by Tonioli and Hough, but Inaba had a minor critique, which brought the duo’s score to 29 out of 30.
Chiles and Sosa wrapped up the first round with a paso doble to \u00ab\u00a0Breakin’ Dishes.\u00a0\u00bb Hough called their performance \u00ab\u00a0strong\u00a0\u00bb, while Tonioli called it a \u00ab\u00a0kick-*** paso doble.\u00a0\u00bb Their performance earned a 29.What happened during the Instant Dance Challenge?
Earle kicked off the Instant Dance Challenge with an improvised cha cha to RAYE’s \u00ab\u00a0WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!\u00a0\u00bb earning a perfect 30 score.
Efron and Karagach then took to the dance floor for an impromptu foxtrot to \u00ab\u00a0Ordinary\u00a0\u00bb by Alex Warren also earning a 30 score.
Next, Hendrix and Bersten took on the quick step to the tune of \u00ab\u00a0You Can’t Hurry Love\u00a0\u00bb by The Supremes resulting in a score of 27.
Irwin and Carson came next drawing the cha cha to \u00ab\u00a0Cake By The Ocean\u00a0\u00bb by DNCE and scoring a 30.
Finally, Chiles and Sosa performed the tango to \u00ab\u00a0I Like It\u00a0\u00bb by Alesso and Nate Smith scoring a perfect 30.How did the final dances play out?
Earle and Chmerkovskiy kicked off the freestyle round with a routine to \u00ab\u00a0Maneater\u00a0\u00bb by Nelly Furtado and \u00ab\u00a0Sports Car\u00a0\u00bb by Tate McRae. The routine earned the duo a 30, giving them a total of 90 points for all three of their dances.
Efron and Karagach followed with a moving freestyle to \u00ab\u00a0Something in the Heavens\u00a0\u00bb by Lewis Capaldi. They also earned a 30.
Hendrix and Bersten also earned a 30 for their freestyle to \u00ab\u00a0I Hope I Get It (from A Chorus Line)\u00a0\u00bb by District 78.
Next, Irwin and Carson performed a freestyle to \u00ab\u00a0Black & Gold\u00a0\u00bb by Sam Sparro and \u00ab\u00a0The Nights\u00a0\u00bb by Avicii. The duo also earned a 30 from the judges.
Chiles and Sosa closed out the freestyle round with a fun number to \u00ab\u00a0Motivation\u00a0\u00bb by Normani and earned a 30 from judges.What happened to Robert Irwin while he was preparing for the finale?
Irwin detailed some severe rib pain he’s dealt with while preparing for the finale episode.
In a segment previewing Irwin and partner Witney Carson’s quick step dance, Irwin winced in pain and grabbed his rib cage.
\u00ab\u00a0I’ve been dealing with rib pain because the intercostal muscles of the ribs are under a lot of tension\u00a0\u00bb, Irwin said, adding that, \u00ab\u00a0It’s been getting worse progressively.\u00a0\u00bb
Carson shared her concern for Irwin’s health, saying, \u00ab\u00a0This is where my motherly instincts come in. At the end of the day, his health is my priority.\u00a0\u00bbWho was in the audience?
The ballroom has a star-studded audience tonight with past contestants including season 33 contestant Stephen Nedoroscik, Bindi Irwin and Terri Irwin and \u00ab\u00a0Bachelor\u00a0\u00bb franchise star Kelsey Anderson.
Hendrix’s bestie, Lisa Ann Walter, who has been cheering her on all season long, is also in the audience tonight to support her.
Disney is the parent company of Hulu, ABC, ABC News and \u00ab\u00a0Good Morning America.\u00a0\u00bb<\/p>\n