Then they showed a recap of last night’s performances.
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After a live opening at the holiday-adorned L.A. Grove and a dance from each celebrity-pro pairing, hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews announced the champions at the wrap of the season finale.
She reached the final episode after receiving a ideal 30 out of 30 score for her moving performance followed by a childhood photo of her and her late father, which left the judges and audience in tears. From there, they revealed that Bindi & Derek won the whole damn thing to take the coveted Mirror Ball prize, leaving poor Nick & Sharna to deal with a 2nd place finish. Will Irwin continue to integrate dance into her super inspiring job as a conservationist?
At just 17 years old, being crowned the victor of Dancing with the Stars is a very impressive accomplishment for “Bindi the Jungle Girl”, although her dancing partner Derek Hough certainly helped her look good on stage as well. “But to have Derek there to say, ‘It’s OK, I’m there for you, ‘ was something that I was so grateful for. I can’t believe I’m here”.
Reports previously suggested the young Australian would be unable to collect her estimated $US230K pay cheque from the show because a court demanded proof her dad Steve is dead. She wrote, “Happy birthday to a person who inspires me every day”.
Pointing to Hough, she added, “And to be able to gain another brother who’s been so special”. No, I am so honoured and so blessed to be here.
“I am speechless”, she posted to Twitter shortly after the big finale.
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Bindi Irwin has won the USA series of Dancing with the Stars after dedicating her last routine to her late father. Given the history of the show and the scores of Nick compared to Alek, it definitely would come as an upset if Alek placed higher than third.
