'Dancing With The Stars' season finale: Mirrorball champions crowned (SPOILER ALERT)
LOS ANGELES -- We've been glued to our TV sets for 10 weeks, watching one of the most competitive seasons ever of "Dancing With The Stars." For night two of the season finale, three couples - Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson, Janel Parrish and Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Sadie Robertson and Mark Ballas - competed for the Mirrorball Trophy, but only one couple was crowned the champion of Season 19.
The two-hour show was chock-full of performances, both dancing AND singing. All 13 of this season's couples reunited tonight, and most of them performed in some form or fashion.
But the competition is what we're really here for, right? And the final three couples were given quite a task for their last dance! They had less than 24 hours to prepare a fusion routine -- one that blended two contrasting dance styles that they've performed this season into a new routine. It was done only for judges' points. At the end of the night, the public vote from Monday night was combined with the judges' scores from both nights to decide the winner.
Here's a rundown of the competitive dances:
SADIE ROBERTSON - 40 out of 40
Sadie and Mark fused together two very fast dances: the Samba and the Quickstep. Sadie powered through a late night rehearsal to learn the new-ish routine. Yes, she's young, but even teenagers get tired! Mark stayed true to Sadie's personality and kept the dance fresh, young and wholesome. Len Goodman called her this season's "Cinderella story." She came to the ball never having danced, met the handsome prince and left a princess. Julianne Hough made sure Sadie knew how proud everyone -- from her "Duck Dynasty" family to her dancing family -- is of her growth. Bruno Tonioli praised her personality and charm, and also applauded the way Mark guided her throughout the season. Carrie Ann Inaba thought Sadie represented what youth should be: clean, elegant and a white light.
JANEL PARRISH - 40 out of 40
Janel was still hurting from her rib injury, but she powered through the 24-hour challenge like a pro. She was very sad that this was the end of her TV journey with Val. (Who knows if the journey will continue after?) They blended the Foxtrot and the Paso Doble, and you never would have guessed they hadn't been practicing for weeks! Julianne was happy to see the fierce couple that we've come to know and love and called their dance seamless. Bruno said they were sophisticated and elegant. Carrie Ann thought the fusion was a perfect showcase for the couple, highlighting their elegance, artistry and passion. Len Goodman loved how they combined the "how" of the dance technique with the "wow" of the performance.
ALFONSO RIBEIRO - 40 out of 40
Witney revealed that the "Carlton" they did together was her favorite dance... ever. Alfonso told her that he doesn't know what he'll do come Thanksgiving! He had been wanting to be in the ballroom for 10 years and he really, really wants that Mirrorball Trophy! Their fusion dance was the Cha Cha and the Argentine Tango. Like all three finalists, you never would have expected such perfection after only 24 hours. Bruno dubbed him the "Amazing Alfonso," a real performer who always gives to the audience. Len praised his naturalness and said nothing was forced. Julianne said the dance was tight and complimented their clean connection. Carrie Ann gave props to Witney for her work, and called Alfonso a "glitter ball." (That's a new one!)
***SPOILER ALERT! Stop reading if you have yet to see the season finale of "Dancing With The Stars."***
Since all three couples earned perfect scores, Tuesday's dances did not change what happened on Monday's show, leaving us guessing at the winner. Queue the drumroll please!
Tom Bergeron is a master of suspense. After the first of several long pauses, he revealed that Janel and Val placed third.
Now, an even bigger drumroll and an even longer pause... and the winner of Season 19 of "Dancing With The Stars" is Alfonso and Witney!
We'll see everyone back in the ballroom next spring when "Dancing with the Stars" celebrates its tenth year on the air!
