Dancing with the Stars season 33 is coming to an end, and only one episode remains –the highly anticipated finale. With over 500 episodes in totality, Dancing with the Stars has become a household favorite for many people, and excitement to find out the next mirrorball winner is high. Before the finale is here, let’s look back on this season so far!
Season 33 started out with 13 couples, but only 5 have made it to the finale. Each couple includes a “star” or a celebrity, who will be learning from their “pro” who choreographs and teaches new dances each week. In most seasons only 4 couples make to finals, but this season the couples were thrown for a loop with a “fake elimination” before it was revealed that all 5 were moving on.
The remaining couples…
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten
Ilona Maher is a rugby player who experienced a huge rise to fame this summer when she was part of the bronze-winning Olympic rugby team. That medal marked the first time USA Rugby 7s had ever won an Olympic medal. This season she lived up to her reputation as an “internet phenomenon,” creating viral TikTok videos with her partner Alan.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold
Stephen Nedoroscik is a male gymnast, specifically a pommel horse specialist. Nedoroscik also experienced a rise to fame during the summer Olympics where he won two bronze medals; an individual medal for pommel horse, as well as a team medal- which was the first time in 16 years USA men’s gymnastics medalled at the Olympics. Although he suffers from a rare eye condition, Nedoroscik dances without missing a step week after week.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong
Chandler Kinney is an actress who is most known for her role in the Disney Zombies franchise. She also stars in the Pretty Little Liars reboot, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. Kinney shocked DWTS fans with her natural talent, evident from week one. Kinney continued to dominate the leaderboard throughout the season and her final performance is highly anticipated.
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson
Joey Graziadei was the season 28 Bachelor, where he met his now fiancée Kelsey Anderson. He was a fan favorite on The Bachelor, and it appears his fan base has followed him to Dancing with the Stars. Historically, Bachelor men do not make it to the finale, and if Joey can secure the mirrorball, he will be the first-ever Bachelor to win.
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson
Danny Amendola is a –now-retired– football wide receiver. He played on a handful of teams but succeeded the most while on the New England Patriots, where he got to play in three Super Bowls– only winning two. Amendola put his strength to use this season by including multiple, now viral, lifts throughout all his routines.
The Final Dances…
For the finale, each contestant will have to perform two dances. The first dance will be a “judges choice redemption dance,” where each contestant will have to recreate a dance from this season that the judges think they could have done better at. The second dance is the infamous freestyle that the couples work towards all season. There are no rules for this dance, and it is a way for the stars to tell their story, show their personality, and say one final goodbye to the show.
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten
Maher will be dancing a judges choice Jive to the song “Shake A Tail Feather” by Ray Charles and The Blues Brothers. Her freestyle will be to the song “Femininomenon” by Chappel Roan, performed by District 78 ft Mona Rue.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold
Nedoroscik will be dancing a judges choice Quickstep to the song “I’ll Be There for You” by the Rembrandts. His freestyle will be to the song “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong
Kinney will be dancing a judges choice jive to the song “APT” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars. Her freestyle will be a mashup of the songs “Hellzapoppin” by Eyal Vilner Big Band and “Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield.
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson
Graziadei will be dancing a judge’s choice Cha Cha to the song “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake. His freestyle will be to the song “Canned Heat” performed by District 78 ft Jake Simpson.
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson
Amendola will be dancing a judges choice Tango to the song “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone ft Morgan Wallen. His freestyle will be a mashup of the songs “Pink” by Lizzo and “I’m Just Ken” by Ryan Gosling.
The finalists will have to battle it out in order to secure the mirrorball and become the new champions. Make sure you don’t miss what promises to be an action-packed season finale!
