'DWTS' Winner 'Blacked Out' When Their Name Was Called

"Dancing with the Stars" season 33 crowned its winner on Tuesday, November 26, after eight thrilling weeks of competition.

Nov 27, 2024 - 21:39
 4001
'DWTS' Winner 'Blacked Out' When Their Name Was Called
Ilona Maher (left) Joey graziadei (right)
MEGA (left) MEGA (right)

"Dancing with the Stars" season 33 crowned its winner on Tuesday, November 26, after eight thrilling weeks of competition.

The finale featured five talented pairs vying for the Mirrorball Trophy: former NFL star Danny Amendola and Witney Carson, "Bachelorette" alum Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, actress Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong, Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten, and Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold.

As the results unfolded, Danny and Witney finished in fifth place, followed by Stephen and Rylee in fourth, and Chandler and Brandon in third.

This left Jenna and Joey going head-to-head with Ilona and Alan as the final two contenders for the "Dancing with the Stars" winners.

Who Won 'Dancing With The Stars'?

Joey Graziadei, the "Dancing with the Stars" season 33 champion, admitted he "blacked out" when his name was announced as the winner. The "Bachelor" alum and his pro partner Jenna Johnson claimed the coveted Mirrorball Trophy during the Tuesday, November 26 finale.

Their victory came after earning a perfect 30 from judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli for their cha-cha-cha to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” and a nearly perfect 29 for their freestyle performance set to “Canned Heat” by District 78 and Jake Simpson.

Joey Graziadei 'Blacked Out' When His Name Was Called

Speaking to Us Weekly after Tuesday’s live broadcast, the reality television star shared his surprise at the outcome of the competition. “I don’t even know how I felt. I honestly blacked out,” Joey told Us. “I just remember [Jenna] screaming really, really loud. I remember hugging her.”

“I remember Val [Chmerkovskiy] coming in,” he added, referencing last season’s winning pro dancer — and Jenna’s husband — who passed the Mirrorball Trophy to them. “I remember this [trophy] was heavier than I thought it was going to be and that was about it. That’s where we’re at now. And now we’re here.”

Jenna Johnson Wins 'Dancing with the Stars' Mirrorball Trophy One Year After Her Husband

Jenna shared that it was a special privilege to receive the Mirrorball Trophy from her husband, who had triumphed in season 32 alongside actress Xochitl Gomez.

“[I felt] just so much sheer love and joy. That was a really special moment that I don’t think has ever, ever, ever happened before,” Jenna said of Val, 38. “So many people told me that they have videos of him freaking out and I can’t wait to see them. He’s been my number one supporter through this. He’s been mommy and daddy for us right now while I’ve been getting ready for this finale. So I’m just so grateful for him.”

On Tuesday night, Joey made history as the first "Bachelor" to win "Dancing With the Stars." Upon receiving the Mirrorball Trophy, he expressed heartfelt gratitude for his pro partner, Jenna Johnson, crediting her for guiding him to the finale.

“I feel like Jenna deserves this fully and it’s all for her,” he said. “It means everything, this whole experience has been unbelievable.”

Brooks Nader And Her Partner Gleb Savchenko Spark Romance

Season 33 of "Dancing with the Stars" wasn’t just about memorable dances and emotional moments—it also sparked two potential love connections.

Model Brooks Nader and her partner Gleb Savchenko immediately hit it off at the start of the season, and their chemistry continued off the dance floor after their October 15 elimination. While Brooks revealed that Gleb broke up with her via text later that month, the pair have still been seen spending time together and sharing moments on social media.

Jenn Tran And Sasha Farber Tease Relationship

Meanwhile, "Bachelorette" star Jenn Tran and her partner Sasha Farber also developed a close bond, frequently hanging out after their elimination on October 29. Jenn even revealed plans for the duo to move in together, hinting at an even closer connection beyond the ballroom.

“Right now I gotta find a place to live and that’s probably Sasha’s couch,” Tran shared during the November 14 episode of "Sorry We're Cyrus," hosted by Tish and Brandi Cyrus. “He’s going to make me cook and clean every day. I don't know how I feel about that, but I don’t have to pay rent," she joked.

Graziadei's victory marks another triumph for Bachelor Nation, adding to a streak of wins on Dancing With the Stars. Hannah Brown claimed the Mirrorball Trophy in 2019, followed by Kaitlyn Bristowe’s win the next year.