The Shocking DWTS Season 33 Scores: Every Finalist Ranked By Total Points And Perfect Dances

The most recent season of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), Season 33, concluded on November 26, 2024, delivering one of the most unpredictable and tightly scored finales in the show's history. The competition saw an incredible range of celebrity talent, from former NFL stars to Olympic gymnasts and reality TV personalities, all vying for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. This season was defined by consistently high judges' scores, particularly in the later weeks, making the audience vote more critical than ever to avoid a shocking elimination.

The judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—rarely held back their 10s, with several perfect 30/30 scores being handed out, setting the stage for a spectacular showdown. As the dust settled on the dance floor, the final leaderboard revealed a fascinating mix of technical mastery and audience popularity. We've broken down the final scores, rankings, and the most memorable performances from the season to give you the ultimate guide to the DWTS Season 33 leaderboard.

DWTS Season 33: A Complete Look at the Final Five Couples

Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars was a nine-week journey of intense training, emotional breakthroughs, and stunning dances. The season featured 16 couples, with the final five showcasing remarkable consistency and growth. Here is a detailed profile of the finalists who battled it out on the night of the finale, along with their final night's scores, where each couple performed two dances for a maximum of 60 points (30 per dance).

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• Winner: Joey Graziadei & Jenna Johnson
  • Celebrity Profile: Former star of The Bachelor.
  • Professional Partner: Jenna Johnson (Season 26 Winner).
  • Finale Score: 59/60 (Total season finale points).
  • Key Dances: Redemption Dance (Foxtrot - 30/30), Freestyle.
• Second Place: Ilona Maher & Alan Bersten
  • Celebrity Profile: Olympic Rugby Player.
  • Professional Partner: Alan Bersten (Season 28 Winner).
  • Finale Score: 57/60.
  • Key Dances: Redemption Dance (Tango), Freestyle.
• Third Place: Chandler Kinney & Brandon Armstrong
  • Celebrity Profile: Actress (Lethal Weapon, Zombies 2).
  • Professional Partner: Brandon Armstrong.
  • Finale Score: 60/60 (Highest score of the night).
  • Key Dances: Redemption Dance (Cha Cha - 30/30), Freestyle (30/30).
• Fourth Place: Stephen Nedoroscik & Rylee Arnold
  • Celebrity Profile: Olympic Gymnast.
  • Professional Partner: Rylee Arnold (Rookie Pro).
  • Finale Score: 59/60.
  • Key Dances: Redemption Dance (Tango), Freestyle.
• Fifth Place: Danny Amendola & Witney Carson
  • Celebrity Profile: Former NFL Wide Receiver.
  • Professional Partner: Witney Carson (Season 19 Winner).
  • Finale Score: 56/60.
  • Key Dances: Redemption Dance (Paso Doble), Freestyle.

The Perfect Score Club: Season 33's Most Electrifying Dances

The ultimate goal for any couple on Dancing with the Stars is to earn a perfect score, a 30 out of 30, with each of the three judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—awarding a 10. Season 33 was filled with technically demanding and emotionally resonant routines, leading to a number of perfect scores. These performances not only topped the leaderboard but also became viral moments that defined the season.

Couples Who Achieved a Perfect 30/30:

The following couples managed to impress the judges enough to earn a flawless score, often in the most pressure-filled weeks like the Semifinals and Finale. These scores highlight the immense talent and dedication of the finalists.

• Chandler Kinney & Brandon Armstrong: This couple was a technical powerhouse, earning multiple perfect 30s. Their standout routines included a high-energy Cha Cha in the Semifinals and a spectacular Freestyle in the Finale, which earned them a flawless 60/60 for the night. Derek Hough, in particular, was vocal about Chandler's potential, calling her a "true artist" of the ballroom.
• Joey Graziadei & Jenna Johnson: The eventual winners, Joey and Jenna, showed tremendous growth throughout the competition. Their Foxtrot Redemption Dance in the Finale was a perfect example of their journey, demonstrating technical precision and emotional connection that earned them a 30/30. This flawless score was crucial in setting them up for their Mirrorball victory.
• Danny Amendola & Witney Carson: The former NFL star proved that football players can master the ballroom. Danny and Witney achieved an early perfect score with their passionate Paso Doble during Week 3, showcasing powerful lines and theatrical flair that wowed Bruno Tonioli. This performance put them firmly in the running as a top contender.
• Stephen Nedoroscik & Rylee Arnold: The Olympic gymnast, paired with rookie pro Rylee Arnold, also secured a perfect 30/30 for their Freestyle in the Finale. Their routine was praised for its innovative choreography and the seamless integration of Stephen's gymnastic abilities into the dance, a moment that cemented Rylee's status as a formidable new pro.

Controversial Eliminations and Unexpected Low Scores

While the top of the leaderboard was stacked with perfect scores, the lower half saw some surprising departures, proving that the combination of judges' scores and audience votes can be a brutal mix. The DWTS Season 33 elimination process was particularly intense, featuring a double elimination early in the run that shocked many viewers.

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The Struggle for Consistency:

Even fan-favorite couples struggled to maintain high scores every week. The pressure of learning a new dance style each week often led to unexpected critiques from the judges, particularly from Carrie Ann Inaba, who is known for her focus on lifts and footwork technique. For example, during Halloween Night, the judges were accused by some viewers of showing "favoritism" toward certain couples, indicating the constant scrutiny of the scoring process.

• Anna Delvey & Ezra Sosa: The former con artist, Anna Delvey, was one of the season's most controversial contestants. Despite the media buzz, her scores remained consistently low, and she was one of the early departures, unable to win over the judges with her technical execution.
• Phaedra Parks & Pasha Pashkov: The reality TV star, Phaedra Parks, was a beloved figure, but her journey ended sooner than many expected. Her scores were often mid-range, and while she had a strong audience following, the combined judges' scores and voting ultimately led to her elimination before the Semifinals, a decision many fans called "ridiculous" due to her entertainment value.
• Dwight Howard & Koko Iwasaki: The NBA star had a brief but memorable run. While his size presented unique challenges in the ballroom, he showed potential. However, a combination of low scores and a tough week resulted in his early exit, demonstrating that even a powerhouse athlete needs time to master the intricate steps of dances like the Rumba and Waltz.

The Final Score Breakdown: How Joey & Jenna Clinched the Mirrorball

The Season 33 Finale was a dramatic affair, with the remaining five couples performing two dances each: a Redemption Dance (a style they struggled with earlier in the season) and a Freestyle. The final total score for the night was a combined judges' score out of 60, plus the crucial audience votes.

The leaderboard for the finale was incredibly tight, with Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong actually receiving the highest judges' score of the night (60/60). However, the ultimate winner is determined by a combination of the judges' scores and the live audience vote.

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Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, despite being tied for the second-highest judges' score of 59/60 with Stephen and Rylee, secured the Mirrorball Trophy. This victory underscored a key truth of Dancing with the Stars: while the judges' scores are vital for safety and momentum, the power of the fan vote is the ultimate deciding factor. Joey’s popularity from The Bachelor, combined with Jenna's expert choreography and his clear improvement, resonated deeply with the viewers, allowing them to overcome a technically flawless performance from Chandler Kinney to claim the title. The season finale not only set a new voting record but also delivered the show's best ratings in four years, cementing its status as a must-watch competition.