By Amber Fink, Staff Writer
On Nov. 24 and Nov. 25 the two-night finale of Dancing with the Stars appeared on ABC.
On Monday night each couple danced two performances: one of which was chosen by the judges from any dance each couple had previously performed, and the other performance was in a style of their choice, otherwise called “the freestyle.”
The four finalists groups were Bethany Mota and Derek Hough, Sadie Robertson and Mark Ballas, Janel Parrish and Val Chmerkovskiy, and Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson. Mota might be recognized from her YouTube videos on make-up and fashion tutorials. She has recently opened up her own line of clothing at Aeropostale. Robertson is a part of the Duck Dynasty family. The Duck Dynasty is also known as the “Duck Commander” as they live for duck hunting season. The Duck Dynasty family is a Christian family who enjoys sharing their beliefs with their viewers. Parrish stars as Mona on the popular show “Pretty Little Liars.” Ribeiro is well known as Carlton from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
Mota and Hough performed a jive to “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift as requested by the judges. They had performed this same dance at the very beginning of the competition during the first week. They received a score of 36 out of 40.
“There were a few mistakes but come back for the freestyle because every point counts,” said judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Mota and Hough came back for the freestyle and took Inaba’s advice. They received a perfect score with their dance to the song “Revolution”. This performance was in dedication to the fans and all of their appreciated support.
Judge Lin Goodman thought Mota and Hough delivered a “five-star freestyle”.
Robertson and Ballas performed a samba from week 4 as requested from the judges. They made a huge improvement and received a score of 38 out of 40.
In response to the performance Inaba said, “You were killing it!”
Just when the judges thought that performance was awesome, they gave a perfect 40 out of 40 when Robertson and Ballas performed their freestyle together. They danced to the themes from Super Mario Bros., Underground, and Starman. It was an “unforgettable performance” for Goodman.
Parrish and Chmerkovskiy repeated their samba performance from week 6 of the competition. They received a score of 37 out of 40. This was “great rhythmic dancing” according to judge Goodman.
“You guys together as a team are immaculate,” said judge Inaba.
According to Inaba, Ribeiro’s and Carson’s performance was “so on-point” even when compared to their original dance during the first week of the competition. They received a score of 40 out of 40. During their freestyle, Ribeiro had a tap solo that brought the audience to their feet. This dance also gained a perfect score.
Once the first night of the finale came to a close and a couple had to be eliminated. That couple was Mota and Hough. Therefore, that left Robertson and Ballas, Parrish and Chmerrkovskiy, and Ribeiro and Carson to perform the second night.
These three couples had to create a routine in 24 hours and it would count for one-fourth of their final score.
Robertson and Ballas were up first. They performed a Samba and Quick Step dance.
They received a perfect score. Parrish and Chmerrkovskiy danced a Foxtrot and Paso to today’s well-known song, “Hideaway” by Kiesha. They received a perfect score. Ribeiro and Carson danced another perfect score dance as a Cha Cha and Argentine Tango to the song “Shut up and dance with me” by Walk on the Moon. Inaba said, “We love watching you [Alfonso] because of your love for dance.”
“Your charm always shines through in everything you do,” said Bruno to Robertson.
Inaba believes that Parrish and Chmerrkovskiy’s Dancing with the Stars experiences were a “riveting journey, riveting dance”.
“You [Alfonso] are legend,” Bruno Tonioli said with a standing ovation.
With all of that being said, who would win season 19’s mirror ball? Parrish and Chmerrkovskiy were the first to be eliminated. Tom Bergeron reveals this news by stating “The wait is over Alfonso and Witney!” Ribeiro was at a loss for words.
“I’m so thankful to God who has brought me this far and I am so thankful for how much I’ve accomplished on this show,” Robertson said proudly.
Carson fulfilled her promise to Ribeiro from the beginning of the season when she said, “Stick with me kid, and I’ll take you places”. Ribeiro filled his commitment as well when stating “My body is bruised and breaking but I’m not letting it get in the way of be winning this mirror ball trophy.”
