Dancing with the Stars Season 32 Finale: Xochitl Gomez Crowned Champion of the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy
The highly anticipated season 32 of Dancing with the Stars has concluded, and after an exhilarating journey filled with dazzling performances and emotional moments, a new champion has been crowned! The grand finale was an unforgettable spectacle, culminating in the reveal of the couple who would take home the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, a new award named in honor of the late, beloved head judge.
After 11 weeks of intense competition, the field had narrowed down to just five exceptional couples. The Dancing with the Stars season 32 finale was a spectacular three-hour live event, packed with incredible routines, special guest appearances, and breathtaking displays of artistry and athleticism. From powerful redemption dances to show-stopping freestyles, each couple poured their hearts onto the dance floor in their final bid for glory. The night promised high stakes and emotional goodbyes, as only one DWTS partnership could ultimately claim victory and etch their names into the show’s illustrious history.
Redemption Round: A Second Chance to Shine
The finale kicked off with the Redemption Round, where each of the remaining five couples revisited a dance style they had previously struggled with, aiming to showcase their growth and improvement throughout the season. The pressure was immense, as these performances were crucial in solidifying their standing with the judges.
First to hit the ballroom were Alyson Hannigan and her professional partner, Sasha Farber. They brought an infectious energy to their salsa, set to Gloria Estefan’s “Get On Your Feet.” Alyson, who had visibly transformed from a hesitant beginner to a confident performer, truly shined. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba commended her remarkable progress, stating, “You did an amazing job,” and highlighted Alyson’s newfound “grace” and “confidence.” Derek Hough was equally impressed, noting Alyson’s “insane” improvement. Bruno Tonioli warmly added, “I love to see your confidence blossom.” Their dedication paid off, earning them a respectable total score of 25 out of 30 (Carrie Ann = 9; Derek = 8; Bruno = 8).
Next, Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach presented a breathtaking foxtrot to Frank Sinatra’s timeless classic, “Fly Me To The Moon.” Their performance was a masterclass in elegance and precision, a testament to their strong partnership and Jason’s dedication. Bruno raved that “Len [Goodman] would love this,” a poignant tribute to the late judge. Carrie Ann found the routine “so effortless” this time around, praising their seamless execution. Derek simply declared, “That was absolutely stellar,” capturing the perfection of their dance. Unsurprisingly, they achieved the first perfect score of the night: 30 out of 30 (Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10).
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov then ignited the stage with a sizzling Redemption samba to “Spice Up Your Life” by the iconic Spice Girls. Ariana, known for her vibrant personality and stage presence, showcased significant improvement in a notoriously challenging dance style. Derek crowned her the “samba queen” and highlighted her substantial growth since her previous attempt. Bruno enthusiastically agreed with Derek’s assessment. While acknowledging the “much improved” performance, Carrie Ann gently pointed out a few instances where Ariana “got ahead of the music,” demonstrating her keen eye for detail. They earned an impressive 29 out of 30 (Carrie Ann = 9; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10).
Special Performances and Continued Excellence
Midway through the high-stakes finale, the ballroom welcomed back season 31 champions Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas. Their electrifying routine to Rick James’s “Give It To Me Baby” was a powerful reminder of why they claimed the Mirrorball Trophy last season, bringing a burst of professional-level flair and an inspiring presence to the stage.
The Redemption Round continued with Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintez, who delivered a fierce and passionate tango to Astor Piazzolla’s “Libertango.” Their performance was a fiery display of sharp lines and intense emotion, captivating the audience and judges alike. Carrie Ann, though largely positive, noted a subtle mistake during the complex routine. Derek, however, passionately disagreed, proclaiming, “That was, in my opinion, the best dance of the night so far.” Bruno praised the performance as “impeccably elegant,” highlighting their sophisticated execution. Charity and Artem secured a strong score of 29 out of 30 (Carrie Ann = 9; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10).
Closing out the Redemption Round were Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy, who performed a simply gorgeous foxtrot to Katy Perry’s “Unconditionally.” Their dance was a beautiful blend of grace, technical prowess, and genuine connection, showcasing Xochitl’s incredible journey to becoming a formidable dancer. Bruno expressed his pure joy, stating, “It really is a delight watching you.” Carrie Ann was moved, declaring, “That was breathtakingly beautiful. You [Xochitl] are a stunning dancer with so much power.” Derek summarized their performance as the “epitome of grace and fluidity.” They, too, earned a perfect 30 out of 30 (Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10), solidifying their position as top contenders.
Adding to the festive spirit of the finale, host Julianne Hough and co-host Alfonso Ribeiro took to the ballroom floor themselves for a special, joyful performance of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” They were joined by their past DWTS partners, including season 32 host Alfonso Ribeiro with Witney Carson, and Julianne with Helio Castroneves, along with previous winners Hannah Brown and Rashad Jennings, making it a truly star-studded and nostalgic moment for fans.
The Freestyle Round: Unrestricted Creativity
The highly anticipated Freestyle Round allowed each couple to unleash their creativity and tell their story without the constraints of traditional ballroom rules. This round often determines the champion, pushing couples to their absolute limits.
Despite a pre-performance scare where she sustained a jaw injury during rehearsals, Charity Lawson, alongside Artem Chigvintez, delivered a jaw-dropping freestyle routine. Their dynamic performance, a medley of Destiny’s Child’s “Lose My Breath” and Sam i & Jarina De Marco’s “Suéltate” featuring Anitta & BIA, was a powerful nod to Charity’s cheerleading past. It was packed with incredibly difficult lifts, flips, and stunts, executed flawlessly and with immense precision, leaving no hint of her recent injury. Derek was astounded, remarking, “I feel like you’ve just been waiting all season to do that,” adding he’d “never” seen anything quite like it. Bruno simply declared, “That was insane.” Carrie Ann raved, “That was so amazing and that is the way you perform a freestyle.” They soared to a perfect 30 out of 30 (Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10).
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach once again dazzled the audience with their terrific freestyle routine to C2C featuring Derek Martin’s “Happy.” Their performance was an explosion of joy, rhythm, and impeccable synchronization, embodying the song’s infectious title. Bruno showered them with praise, calling it an “exciting, uplifting extravaganza” and declaring the performance “out of this world.” Derek highlighted the “non-stop dancing” and deemed the routine “phenomenal.” They, too, achieved a perfect score of 30 out of 30 (Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10), showcasing their consistent excellence.
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov brought an undeniable fierceness to the ballroom with their powerful freestyle, a medley of Beyoncé’s “Run The World (Girls)” and Ciara’s “Level Up.” This routine was a celebration of female empowerment and Ariana’s journey of self-discovery, executed with confidence and commanding stage presence. Derek, visibly impressed, stood up and told Ariana, “You absolutely shined in that routine.” Bruno, ever dramatic, added that the performance was “hot as hell.” Their incredible energy and flawless execution also earned them a perfect 30 out of 30 (Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10).
Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber delivered a sparkling and fun freestyle routine, a blend of Taylor Swift’s “Enchanted (Taylor’s Version)” and Jennifer Lopez’s “Papi.” Their performance encapsulated Alyson’s infectious personality and growth, full of charm and genuine joy. Derek warmly told Alyson, “That was so fantastic,” acknowledging her incredible transformation. Bruno sweetly dubbed Alyson “the people’s champion,” recognizing her immense popularity and heartwarming journey with the audience. They scored a commendable 28 out of 30 (Carrie Ann = 9; Derek = 9; Bruno = 10).
The final freestyle of the night, a highly anticipated moment, came from Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy. They absolutely slayed with their high-energy routine to District 78’s “Que Calor.” Their performance was a dynamic fusion of power, precision, and passion, showcasing their undeniable chemistry and Xochitl’s incredible versatility. Bruno raved over the “outstanding performance,” captivated by their raw talent. Carrie Ann highlighted their seamless partnership, noting how Xochitl and Val truly “dance as one,” and praised their “amazing” connection. Derek, reflecting on Xochitl’s entire journey, declared her the most “charismatic” dancer on the show. They capped off the night with a perfect 30 out of 30 (Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10), making them strong contenders for the Mirrorball Trophy.
The Grand Finale: Results and the New Champion
As the night drew to a close, the tension in the ballroom was palpable. With all performances delivered and the judges’ scores tallied, it was time for the audience votes to be combined and the final results to be revealed. The journey for all five couples had been extraordinary, but only one could be crowned the champion of season 32 and lift the inaugural Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
In a nail-biting countdown, the fifth-place couple was announced as Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber, a heartfelt farewell to the fan-favorite duo. Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintez secured fourth place, having impressed with their strength and resilience throughout the season. Third place went to the fiercely elegant Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov, who consistently delivered electrifying performances. This left Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach, and Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy as the final two couples, a matchup of two exceptionally talented pairs who had dominated the scoreboard.
After a moment of breathtaking suspense, the runner-up was revealed to be Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach, concluding their spectacular journey with grace and gratitude. And then, the moment everyone had been waiting for: **the winners of the first-ever Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, and the champions of Dancing with the Stars Season 32, were none other than Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy!** Their victory was met with roaring applause and heartfelt emotion, a fitting culmination to a season marked by incredible talent, hard work, and the spirit of dance.