Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars is coming to a close, and with that we have the three hour finale airing on Tuesday, November 26th. This has been an amazing season and all of the finalists have worked so hard, but there can only be one couple taking home that mirror ball trophy. These are my (potentially controversial) rankings for this season’s finalists.Â
5th: Stephen Nedoroscik & Rylee Arnold
I’ll admit this is a hot-take, but I think Stephen and his partner Riley will end in 5th place. Stephen rose to fame at the summer Olympics after he performed an iconic pommel horse routine for the Men’s USA Gymnastics Team and secured a team bronze medal. Rylee is only in her second year ever as a dancing pro, so it is worth noting that this will be her first time in the finals at only 19 years old. This team has a charismatic energy that is wonderful to watch, and Stephen has grown tremendously as a dancer, but in my opinion they are overall the weakest team left. Stephen has struggled all season with his timing and elegance, and he scored poorly in the semi-finals. Although they are certainly fan favorites and will most likely place higher, I believe they deserve 5th place.Â
4th: Danny Amendola & Witney Carson
In 4th place, we have Danny and Witney. Danny is a retired NFL player and Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots, and his partner Witney is DWTS royalty at this point, considered one of the strongest choreographers. Although many believe Danny is the weakest dancer left, I think he deserves to place 4th. Since week one, I have watched Danny learn to perform with clean lines and poses, evoke emotion through his facial expressions, and step on the dance floor with confidence. He and Witney have such a wonderful partnership and chemistry that elevates their dance (and he’s not bad to look at either). While he may not be the lightest on his football-feet, Danny does learn all the choreography and he knows exactly what he’s doing out there. Danny is a strong partner, and his dances had some of the most impressive lifts and tricks throughout the season.Â
3rd: Ilona Maher & Alan Bersten.Â
Ilona became an inspiration this summer when she competed on the USA’s Olympic Women’s Rugby team. Since then, Ilona has been a champion for female empowerment and body positivity. Alan has been a pro on the show for many years now, and this is not his first rodeo in the finals. Ilona has improved more than any other contestant this season, and it has been amazing to watch her grow and thrive. Her and Alan clearly have a very strong partnership on and off the dance floor. Their rehearsal TikToks just make them all the more lovable! Ilona’s strength always impresses the audience with the way he lifts and spins Alan in the air, breaking barriers for typical gender roles within dance. Their dances are always entertaining, and her Viennese Waltz in the semi-finals was one of her strongest performances yet. However, her dancing falls short of Chandler and Joey’s, which is why I think she’ll win 3rd place.Â
2nd: Chandler Kinney & Brandon Armstrong
Chandler rose to fame starring in hits like Pretty Little Liars and various Disney original movies. Her partner Brandon has been a choreographer on DWTS for a number of years. However, this is his first time ever making it to the finals. Chandler and Brandon have such a strong connection, and all of their dances this season have been mesmerizing. Chandler is easily the best dancer this season: her frame is so clean, she flows flawlessly with the music, and her technique is always on point. I just don’t think she has the fanbase to get the votes. No matter what happens at the finale, she and Brandon have done such an incredible job this season, and should be so proud of making DWTS history. They will certainly be getting 10 votes from me on Tuesday night.Â
1st: Joey Graziadei & Jenna Johnson
Joey rose to fame on The Bachelor, but he has shown more than just a pretty face with his incredible talents on the dance floor. Although I believe Chandler is technically a better dancer, that doesn’t take away from the fact that Joey is incredible and he has been so much fun to watch this whole season. Jenna has been on the show for a number of years now and I believe that she is one of the strongest choreographers they have ever had. The two paired up together have been magic to watch, and they have such a sweet sibling energy that makes you fall in love with them on and off the dance floor. Joey and Jenna’s ventriloquist dance from Halloween week was so eerily satisfying and an unforgettable performance. Joey surprises me every week with how good he is, and he has the fanbase to get him the votes he needs to win it all.Â
No matter who takes home the Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy on Tuesday, all of these competitors deserved their place in the finals and should be so proud of the growth they have made this season. Tune in on Tuesday night for a nail-biter!