The Final Five: Ranking The Remaining Couples On DWTS Season 34 And Their Shocking Journeys

As of December 11, 2025, the buzz around the most recent season of Dancing with the Stars, Season 34, remains at a fever pitch. The competition culminated in a spectacular finale, leaving fans reeling from one of the tightest votes in the show's history. This article breaks down the definitive final five—the "remaining couples" who battled for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy—detailing their emotional journeys, final placements, and the biographical context that made them fan favorites.

The intensity of Season 34 was marked by incredible growth from the celebrities, unexpected perfect scores, and a surprising run by a few underdogs. With over 500 million votes cast throughout the season, the final five couples had truly earned their spot in the finale, showcasing immense talent and vulnerability under the pressure of the ballroom.

The Final Five: Full Biography and Placement of the Remaining Couples

The Season 34 finale featured five formidable couples, each bringing a unique story and skill set to the dance floor. Their final placement was determined by a combination of the judges' scores and the crucial viewer votes. Here is the definitive list of the remaining couples and their final standing in the competition:

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1. Robert Irwin & Witney Carson (Winners)

• Celebrity: Robert Irwin
• Occupation: Wildlife conservationist, television personality, and photographer. He is the son of the late "Crocodile Hunter," Steve Irwin, and the younger brother of Season 21 winner Bindi Irwin.
• Professional Partner: Witney Carson
• Final Placement: 1st Place (Mirrorball Trophy Winners)
• Journey Highlight: Irwin’s journey was deeply emotional, often channeling his late father's spirit and energy into his performances. Their finale dances, including a powerful Paso Doble, secured their victory, continuing a family legacy on the show.

2. Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy (Runners-Up)

• Celebrity: Alix Earle
• Occupation: Massively popular TikTok star and social media influencer, known for her "Get Ready With Me" videos and candid discussions on her personal life.
• Professional Partner: Valentin "Val" Chmerkovskiy
• Final Placement: 2nd Place (Runners-up)
• Journey Highlight: Earle’s participation was a huge draw for younger viewers. Her partnership with Val was noted for its vulnerability and self-discovery, with Earle reflecting that the experience was "life-changing" despite the grueling schedule. This was Val’s third second-place finish in his DWTS career.

3. Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa

• Celebrity: Jordan Chiles
• Occupation: Olympic artistic gymnast, a silver medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and a prominent member of Team USA.
• Professional Partner: Ezra Sosa
• Final Placement: 3rd Place
• Journey Highlight: Chiles consistently earned some of the season's top marks, dazzling the judges with her athleticism and technique. She and Ezra Sosa went wild after earning their first 10s of the season for their performance to "For Good" from Wicked.

4. Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach

• Celebrity: Dylan Efron
• Occupation: Reality television personality (winner of The Traitors Season 3) and the younger brother of actor Zac Efron.
• Professional Partner: Daniella Karagach
• Final Placement: 4th Place
• Journey Highlight: Efron's season was an emotional rollercoaster marked by noticeable growth. He and Daniella had to fight hard for their spot, with his brother Zac making a viral appearance to ask fans to vote Dylan into the finale. Efron reflected that finishing fourth was a huge achievement.

5. Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten

• Celebrity: Elaine Hendrix
• Occupation: Veteran film and television actress, best known for her roles in films like The Parent Trap and various TV series.
• Professional Partner: Alan Bersten
• Final Placement: 5th Place
• Journey Highlight: Hendrix and Bersten were considered the ultimate underdog story, with judge Derek Hough praising her "hero's journey." They delivered a perfect 30-point freestyle, inspired by A Chorus Line, in the finale, showcasing her remarkable improvement throughout the season.

The Battle for the Mirrorball: Key Moments and Topical Authority

Season 34 was a masterclass in ballroom drama and high-stakes competition, solidifying its place as one of the most memorable seasons in recent memory. The remaining couples faced numerous challenges, including themed weeks like the highly anticipated A Chorus Line night and the ever-challenging Trio Week.

The judges, including veterans Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and head judge Derek Hough, were consistently impressed by the quality of the final five. The season finale itself was a three-hour spectacle, requiring the finalists to perform three separate dances, including a challenging redemption dance and a creative freestyle.

The ultimate win by Robert Irwin and Witney Carson was a testament to the power of the fan vote, overcoming a slight judges' score deficit with massive popular support. Their victory was a heartwarming culmination of their journey, echoing the success of Robert's sister Bindi 10 years prior, cementing the Irwin family as true DWTS royalty.

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Another major talking point was the redemption arc of Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach. Despite receiving some of the lowest scores in the semifinals, the public rallied behind them, demonstrating the powerful influence of the viewer vote in the final weeks.

What's Next for the DWTS Finalists?

For the remaining couples, reaching the finale of Dancing with the Stars is often just the beginning of a new chapter in their careers. The show provides a massive platform, and for the celebrities, it often leads to new opportunities, including the coveted DWTS Live Tour and increased visibility in their respective fields.

The professional dancers—Witney Carson, Val Chmerkovskiy, Ezra Sosa, Daniella Karagach, and Alan Bersten—will likely be in high demand for future seasons and the national tour, continuing their roles as the foundation of the show. Their partnerships with the celebrities this season, such as Val's guidance of Alix Earle through her emotional hurdles and Daniella's innovative choreography, have further cemented their status as fan favorites.

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For the celebrity finalists, their newfound ballroom skills will remain a permanent part of their public persona. Robert Irwin returns to his work in wildlife conservation with a Mirrorball in hand, while Alix Earle is expected to leverage her DWTS fame to expand her social media empire even further. Jordan Chiles will undoubtedly return to her elite gymnastics training, now with a new appreciation for performance artistry. The legacy of the Season 34 remaining couples proves that the DWTS journey is about more than just dancing—it's about transformation.