The Ultimate Recap: 5 Shocking Moments And The Unforgettable Winner Of Dancing With The Stars Season 33

The thirty-third season of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), which premiered on September 17, 2024, delivered one of the most unpredictable and talked-about competitions in recent memory. For fans catching up or reliving the dazzling journey, the season was a high-stakes battle for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, culminating in an emotional finale on November 26, 2024, that saw a fan-favorite duo take the crown.

This season, which aired on both ABC and streamed live on Disney+, brought together a diverse celebrity cast, from reality television stars and Olympic athletes to controversial public figures, ensuring weekly drama and spectacular dance routines. The competition was fierce, the judges' scores were tight, and the audience votes proved more powerful than ever, leading to several shocking eliminations that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. The following is your complete, up-to-date guide to everything that defined DWTS Season 33, including the full cast, key moments, and the ultimate champion.

The Complete Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Celebrity Cast and Final Placements

The star power for Season 33 was undeniable, featuring 13 celebrity contestants paired with the show's beloved professional dancers. The judging panel—comprising Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—returned to critique the performances, while Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough hosted the proceedings.

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Below is the full list of the celebrity cast, their professional partners, and their final placement in the competition, which saw a mix of early shocks and powerful late-game surges.

• Joey Graziadei (Reality TV Personality) & Jenna Johnson: Winners
• Ilona Maher (Olympic Rugby Player) & Alan Bersten: Runners-up
• Chandler Kinney (Television Actress & Singer) & Brandon Armstrong: Third Place
• Danny Amendola (NFL Player) & Witney Carson: 4th Place
• Stephen Nedoroscik (Olympic Gymnast) & Rylee Arnold: 5th Place
• Phaedra Parks (Reality TV Star) & Pasha Pashkov: Eliminated Week 8
• Jenn Tran (Reality TV Personality) & Artem Chigvintsev: Eliminated Week 7
• Dwight Howard (NBA Hall of Famer) & Koko Iwasaki: Eliminated Week 6
• Brooks Nader (Model) & Val Chmerkovskiy: Eliminated Week 5
• Eric Roberts (Actor) & Daniella Karagach: Eliminated Week 4
• Reginald VelJohnson (Actor) & Peta Murgatroyd: Eliminated Week 3
• Tori Spelling (Actress) & Gleb Savchenko: Eliminated Week 2
• Anna Delvey (Ex-Con/Socialite) & Ezra Sosa: Eliminated Week 1

The Road to the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy: Key Moments and Perfect Scores

The season was dedicated to the memory of the late Len Goodman, with the trophy now officially named the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. This added an extra layer of emotional weight to the competition, as every couple strove to honor the legendary head judge's legacy with technical excellence and showmanship.

The competition featured several memorable theme nights, including the traditional Disney Night and a special episode commemorating the show's 500th episode milestone, where celebrity couples recreated iconic dances from DWTS history.

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The Rise of the Underdogs and the Power of Fan Votes

While some couples, like Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong, consistently received high scores from the judges, Season 33 became a notable example of the audience vote heavily influencing the outcome. Early eliminations, such as those of Anna Delvey and Tori Spelling, were less surprising, but the mid-season saw several high-scoring couples land in the bottom two, highlighting the season's criticism as being a "popularity contest."

A prime example of a celebrity who truly embodied the spirit of the show was Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik. Despite a slow start, Stephen and his partner Rylee Arnold quickly became fan favorites, consistently improving and connecting with the audience, securing their spot in the finale against all odds.

Perfect Scores and the Emotional Finale

The fight for the Mirrorball Trophy intensified in the final weeks, with several couples earning the coveted "perfect score" of 30 (or 40, depending on the week's format). The finale itself was a spectacular three-hour event that saw the five remaining couples perform two crucial dances: the Redemption Round and the Freestyle.

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The Redemption Round was a thrilling format change where each judge chose a dance style that a finalist had previously struggled with, giving them a chance to prove their growth. This led to incredible performances, including Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson’s emotional Foxtrot and Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten’s powerful routines.

• Ilona Maher’s Freestyle: The Olympic rugby player delivered one of the most talked-about freestyles, earning a perfect score and solidifying her place as one of the season's most improved dancers.
• Joey and Jenna’s Consistency: While not always the top scorer, Joey Graziadei demonstrated significant growth, particularly in his technique and emotional connection to the dance, which resonated deeply with the viewers. His final dances, including a powerful Freestyle, secured high marks and a flood of fan votes.

The Unforgettable Winners: Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson

After a season of dazzling performances, shocking eliminations, and incredible personal growth, the couple crowned the champions of Dancing with the Stars Season 33 was Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson.

The Bachelor star and the veteran pro dancer were a powerhouse partnership from the start, consistently blending technical skill with genuine chemistry. Their final victory was a testament to both their consistency throughout the season and the massive wave of support from the audience.

Jenna Johnson, an accomplished professional dancer, secured her second Mirrorball Trophy win, further cementing her status as one of the show's most successful pros. For Joey Graziadei, the win marked a successful transition from reality TV romance to ballroom champion, proving that his charisma extended far beyond the Bachelor mansion.

The Season 33 finale of Dancing with the Stars will be remembered for its high-level competition, the emotional tribute to Len Goodman, and the crowning of a truly deserving pair. The season's success on both network television and the Disney+ streaming platform confirms the show's enduring popularity and its ability to continually reinvent itself for a new generation of viewers.