Dancing with the Stars “Season 24 The Finals” 

It’s the Finals of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Can you believe it? After the shock of last week’s elimination of Simone and Sasha, it was time to move on and concentrate on our three very different finalists. However, there is only one Mirror Ball Trophy and as we’ve learned over the years, anything can happen.

On night one each couple performed a Redemption Dance as well as the famous Freestyle — that’s the routine I truly believe determines who will win the trophy. On the second night the finalists tackled the 24-hour fusion dance. As always, it all comes down to the voters and the judges.

Let’s take a look and see how everyone did:

Night One

Redemption Dance

David Ross and Lindsay Arnold
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3404

Once again, David Ross improved. His Viennese Waltz with Lindsay was really nice. Len thought his shoulders were hunched which is probably true. David is the true underdog but has improved every week. Even though he is not the strongest dancer of the three finalists, I would say he is the one that America is rooting for.

Score: Carrie Ann-8, Len-8, Julianne-9, Bruno-8; Total: 33

Normani Kordei and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Quickstep
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3410

Normani and Val re-did their Quickstep from the very first week of this competition. Len had given them a six so they were looking to redeem themselves big time. And they did. It was another perfect score for these two. Len and Julianne did manage to give Normani a little bit of a hard time because expectations are so high for her.

Score: Carrie Ann-10, Len-9, Julianne-9, Bruno-10; Total: 38

Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3408

I thought this dance was sexy, smooth and one of Rashad’s best dances of the season. Emma has been the fantastic teacher and partner and they have magic and charisma that shines through.

Score: Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Julianne-10, Bruno-10; Total: 40

The Freestyle

David Ross and Lindsay Arnold
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3404

Even though this wasn’t the strongest dance for David, he entertained. I loved his freestyle and it fit him like a glove. (Pun intended) He did everything he needed to do. As Bruno said it was perfectly in sync and he kept up with all the pros in the dance.

Score: Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Julianne-10, Bruno-10; Total: 40

Total for the night: 73

Normani Kordei and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3410

Normani’s freestyle was spectacular and soulful! It was beautiful and elegant. Normani and Val have such a connection. It was pure and nice to have the little kids as part of the dance.

Score: Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Julianne-10, Bruno-10; Total: 40

Total for the night: 78

Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3408

So much fun. Rashad got to party and be funky. I thought he was going to drop Emma at one point but he didn’t.

Score: Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Julianne-10, Bruno-10; Total: 40

Total for the night: 80

Night Two

Going into the second night the scores were close. At the end of the night, a champion would be crowned. We saw Len salute the finalists. We saw the past contestants dance. Heather danced with some of the pro ladies and was just as great as all of them. (Because she is a professional dancer!!!)

Some more finale notes:

• The guys danced and had their shirts opened. This must be part of their contract.
• David and Lindsay did their Magic Mike dance that was a big hit the first time. You have to love this man.
• Charo played her guitar while Keo danced with Witney. I heart Charo. Rashad and Emma do their favorite dance from the season, which was from week one.
• Heather and Maks performed with TLC. This was their Rumba that got a perfect score, the week they got the boot. Crazy time. I feel that Heather had a target on her back.
• Normani & Val did their favorite dance. There was help from Len and Bruno. And there was a lot of Bruno that I didn’t need to see.
• Simone and Sasha did their Disney dance that was so cute. You just want to fit both of them in your pocket.
• Mr. T did a spoof on one of his ’80s stay-in-school videos. How awesome is Mr. T?
• There were different groups and singers that performed but what we really wanted to get to were the final dances and the announcement of the Season 24 champion.

Final Dance-24 Hour Fusion

David Ross and Lindsay Arnold
Dance: Foxtrot/Salsa
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3404

As always, David is enjoyable to watch. This was not the best routine, but it was a proper fusion dance. That’s something, right?

Score: Carrie Ann-9, Len-9, Julianne-9, Bruno-9; Total: 36

Total for finals: 109

Normani Kordei and Valentin Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Argentine Tango/Foxtrot
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3410

All season long Normani and Val have been consistent. Once again they blew away the competition. Was it enough to win? She is a pro no matter what.

Score: Carrie Ann-10, Len-10, Julianne-10, Bruno-10; Total: 40

Total for finals: 118

Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater
Dance: Cha Cha/Tango
Phone Number: 1-800-868-3408

What Rashad does the best is dance with emotion. Along with Emma, they shared a special connection and they laid it all on the dance floor. I agreed with Len, however. His hold wasn’t perfect but you have to love Rashad.

Score: Carrie Ann-10, Len-9, Julianne-10, Bruno-10; Total: 39

Total for finals: 119

One Republic sang a song as a tribute to the final three. But really all we wanted to find out is the winner of this competition. So let’s get to it.

Third Place: Normani & Val. It’s a bit of an understatement to say that people were shocked to find out that this couple finished in third place. Clearly Normani was the best dancer of the three finalists, but she was very grateful to be there and very classy.

Then there were two: David & Lindsay and Rashad & Emma; Major League Baseball vs. The National Football League.

The winners were RASHAD & EMMA!!!!! David & Lindsay were in second place but all was good with them.

Favorite Quotes

David: “It’s almost over. Daddy didn’t think he would be in it this long.”
David’s Daughter: “That Mirror Ball trophy — it’s going in my room.”
Tom: “Quickstep indicates fast, speedy?”
Erin: “Don’t you just love the haters on Twitter?”
David: “Sorry America, more tears.”
Tom: “I think we just found California’s official rain dance.”
Erin: “Coming to work is so difficult. These are trying times. I’m beside myself.”
Len: “Coming through, don’t touch me!”
Charo: “Bruno, I will see you in the parking lot.”
Tom: “I think Charo is one week away from a restraining order.”
Erin: “Is this a kiddie ride, I’m confused.”
Gleb: “Can your plastic surgeon make you a better dancer?”
Charo: “I’m a virgin in the ear.”
Tom: “Oh my god! Erin’s going to drive!”

What a season this has been. Did the right couple win? Every vote counts. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Congrats to Rashad & Emma!

Now for the next few months we will speculate who will be in the cast for Season 25. See you next season.

Dancing with the Stars comes back this fall on ABC!

More Photos of Winners Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater