'Dancing with the Stars' season 22 finale recap: Who wins the mirror ball trophy?
HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES -- Season 22 of "Dancing with the Stars" has ended up being one of the most competitive seasons ever for the ABC reality dance series. In the end, we saw model Nyle DiMarco, UFC fighter Paige VanZant and Good Morning America chief meteorologist Ginger Zee tapping, tangoing and (fox) trotting for the coveted mirror ball trophy.
For the final round, the couples performed a "24-Hour Fusion Challenge," where they were tasked with fusing two dance styles together, and they had just one day to prepare. This challenge, along with the viewer votes and judges' points from last week's and Monday's performances determined the winner.
Here's a recap of the Fusion Challenge:
Nyle DiMarco - 30 out of 30
Peta Murgatroyd choreographs a tango/cha-cha fusion that demonstrates just how fun this challenge can be. The connection Nyle and Peta have is one of the best we've seen on this show and this dance was the cherry on top of a delicious season. Head judge Len Goodman said Nyle reminds us that the only boundaries we have are ones we put on ourselves, and added Nyle proved he deserves to be in this finale. Bruno Tonioli thought the dance was glorious and the Latin and Ballroom styles were both equally brilliant. He also told Nyle he exceeded everyone's expectations. And Carrie Ann Inaba was a true class act when she signed her message to Nyle, thanking him for showing us his beautiful heart when he dances. Her kind words, and gesture, brought Nyle to tears.
Paige VanZant - 30 out of 30
Perhaps it was a little bit of kismet for Paige and Mark Ballas to earn a perfect 30: today was Mark's 30th birthday! They fused together a jive and a salsa that showed complete joy on the dance floor. You really get the feeling that Paige has totally come out of her shell and found another career where she can excel. Bruno called it a knockout performance; Carrie Ann said it was an awesome way to end the season; and Len said all three finalists are winners in his book, but if this was judged purely on dance he thinks Paige is the one to beat.
PHOTOS: Season 22 finale of "Dancing with the Stars"
Ginger Zee - 27 out of 30
Ginger and Val Chmerkovskiy mash together the foxtrot and Argentine tango in a powerful, commanding routine. Unfortunately, Ginger makes an ever so slight misstep, and that costs them the perfect score from the judges. Still, Len let her know he's enjoyed watching her growth on the show; Bruno said she has been transformed into a leading lady; and Carrie Ann think she's proved to the world she's a real dancer.
SPOILER ALERT
Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd were declared the winners of the mirror ball trophy and season 22 of "Dancing with the Stars!"
