If you love dancing, drama, and dazzling performances, then Dancing with the Stars 2024 (Season 33) was a season you couldn’t miss! This year’s show, which aired on ABC and Disney+ starting September 17, 2024, and wrapped up on November 26, 2024, brought us some unforgettable moments. From jaw-dropping dances to emotional highs and lows, Season 33 had it all. Plus, we finally got our winner—Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson—who took home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy! In this blog, we’ll break down the top 10 moments from Dancing with the Stars 2024 that had fans talking, crying, and cheering.
What Made Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars 2024 So Special?
Before we get to the top moments, let’s talk about why Season 33 was such a big deal. This season had a star-packed cast, including Olympians, a Bachelor star, an NFL player, and talented actors. Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, with judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, the show kept us glued to our screens every week. It aired live on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available on Hulu the next day. The finale was a huge three-hour event, and the competition was fierce until the very end. Now, let’s count down the top 10 moments that made Dancing with the Stars 2024 unforgettable!
10. Stephen Nedoroscik’s Gymnastics-Meets-Dance Freestyle
Starting off our list is Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, also known as “Pommel Horse Guy” from the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the finale on November 26, 2024, Stephen and his pro partner Rylee Arnold performed a freestyle dance to “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. What made it so special? Stephen brought his gymnastics skills to the ballroom! He used a pommel horse in the routine, flipping and spinning like he did at the Olympics. The crowd went wild, and the judges loved it too. Bruno Tonioli called it “athletic and artistic,” while Carrie Ann Inaba got emotional, saying it hit all the right notes. They scored a perfect 30, finishing with a total of 59 points for the night. Even though they placed fourth, this moment showed how Stephen grew from a gymnast into a true dancer.
9. Ilona Maher’s Empowering “Femininomenon” Freestyle
Next up is Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher, who became a fan favorite with her strength and personality. In the finale, Ilona and her pro partner Alan Bersten danced a freestyle to “Femininomenon” by Chappell Roan. The dance started with Ilona in a tracksuit, walking through a locker room and joking around—showing off her fun side. Then, she ripped off the tracksuit to reveal a sparkly silver outfit and rocked the dance floor with confidence. The judges praised her growth, with Bruno saying she was “always the girl on top.” They scored a perfect 30, ending the night with 57 points and taking second place as runners-up. This moment was all about Ilona’s journey from rugby star to dance queen, inspiring fans everywhere.
8. Joey Graziadei’s Tennis-Inspired Winning Freestyle
Our Season 33 winner, Joey Graziadei, gave us a finale moment to remember with his freestyle dance. Paired with pro Jenna Johnson, Joey danced to “Canned Heat” by District 78 featuring Jake Simpson. As a former tennis instructor before starring on The Bachelor, Joey added tennis rackets to the routine. He started by serving a ball, then joined Jenna for a high-energy dance that mixed ballroom with his sporty roots. The judges loved it, giving them a near-perfect 29 out of 30 (totaling 59 points for the night). Derek Hough called it a “punctuation mark” on Joey’s amazing season. This dance helped Joey and Jenna win the Mirrorball Trophy, making Joey the first Bachelor lead to take home the prize. What a way to end the season!
7. Chandler Kinney Makes History with Brandon Armstrong
Actress Chandler Kinney and her pro partner Brandon Armstrong made Dancing with the Stars history in 2024 as the first Black couple to reach the finale. Their freestyle in the final episode was a tribute to Black performers like the Nicholas Brothers, set to “Hellzapoppin’” by Eyal Vilner Big Band and “Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield. The dance started in black-and-white, then burst into color with a disco vibe. It was powerful and fun, earning them a perfect 30 and a total of 60 points for the night—the highest score of the finale! Carrie Ann called it “beyond impressive,” but despite their amazing performance, they finished in third place. This moment was a celebration of talent and a milestone for the show.
6. Danny Amendola’s “I’m Just Ken” Freestyle Fun
Former NFL star Danny Amendola brought the laughs and the moves in the finale with his freestyle dance. Paired with pro Witney Carson, Danny danced to “Pink” by Lizzo and “I’m Just Ken” by Ryan Gosling, inspired by the Barbie movie. Witney played Barbie, while Danny channeled Ken with some serious acting and dancing. The routine mixed different styles and had the judges smiling. Derek Hough said it was “one of the most entertaining routines” ever, and Bruno jokingly asked for a “Silver Ken” sequel. They scored 29 out of 30, finishing with 56 points and placing fifth. This lighthearted moment showed Danny’s growth and charm, making it a fan favorite.
5. The 500th Episode Celebration
On November 12, 2024, Dancing with the Stars hit a huge milestone—its 500th episode! During Week 7, the show celebrated with two rounds of dancing. First, couples redid iconic dances from past seasons. Then, they faced the Instant Dance Challenge, where they had just five minutes to learn a new routine. The opening number, set to “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé and Jay-Z (the same song from Season 1), was choreographed by Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach. It featured returning pros like Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, and Sharna Burgess, plus over 20 past stars. This episode was a big party for fans, blending nostalgia with fresh performances, and it reminded us why we love the show.
4. Joey Graziadei’s First Perfect Score
Joey Graziadei didn’t just win the season—he had some standout moments along the way. In the semifinals on November 19, 2024, Joey and Jenna danced a foxtrot that earned them their first perfect score of 30. The judges raved about it, with Carrie Ann saying Joey’s consistent high scores were “well deserved.” This moment proved Joey was a top contender, setting the stage for his finale win. Fans of The Bachelor cheered extra loud, and it showed how much Joey improved from having no dance experience to becoming a ballroom star. This perfect score was a turning point that boosted his confidence and fan support.
3. Ilona Maher’s Redemption Jive
Ilona Maher had a rocky start with her jive earlier in the season, but she came back strong in the finale. On November 26, 2024, she and Alan Bersten redid their jive to “Shake A Tail Feather” by Ray Charles and The Blues Brothers. This time, it was a total redemption! Bruno shouted, “Shake it for me!” and called it “so much better,” while Carrie Ann cheered, “Redemption is yours!” Derek dubbed it a “true redemption dance.” They scored 27 out of 30, showing Ilona’s growth and determination. This moment was proof that hard work pays off, and it helped her secure second place.
2. Chandler Kinney’s Perfect Jive
Chandler Kinney was a dance powerhouse all season, and her redemption jive in the finale was pure fire. On November 26, 2024, she and Brandon danced to “Apt.” by Rosé and Bruno Mars, earning a perfect 30. Bruno said it “went beyond redemption,” calling it a “triumph,” while Derek called it “sensational.” This high-energy performance showed why Chandler was a frontrunner, even though she didn’t win. Her journey was tough, but this moment highlighted her skill and chemistry with Brandon. Fans were shocked she only got third place after such a strong night, making this a bittersweet highlight.
1. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson Win the Mirrorball Trophy
The number one moment of Dancing with the Stars 2024 has to be the crowning of Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson as Season 33 winners! On November 26, 2024, after a night of incredible dances, hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough announced the results. Danny and Witney took fifth, Stephen and Rylee got fourth, Chandler and Brandon landed third, and Ilona and Alan were runners-up. That left Joey and Jenna as the champions! Joey said, “It means everything,” thanking Jenna for her hard work. This win was Jenna’s second Mirrorball (she won Season 26 with Adam Rippon) and Joey’s first as the only Bachelor lead to claim the title. The finale broke voting records, showing how much fans loved this season. It was the perfect end to an amazing run!
Honorable Mentions
Season 33 had so many great moments that we can’t fit them all in the top 10. Here are a few extras worth mentioning:
- Anna Delvey’s Return: Eliminated contestant Anna Delvey came back for the finale’s opening number to “Holiday” by Madonna, adding some drama.
- Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber’s Chemistry: Rumored couple Jenn and Sasha danced to “Reunited” by Peaches & Herb in the finale, sparking romance buzz.
- Season 32 Winners’ Dance: Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy returned to dance to “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, passing the torch to the new champs.
Why These Moments Matter for Dancing with the Stars 2024
These top 10 moments from Dancing with the Stars 2024 (Season 33) show why the show stays so popular. It’s not just about dancing—it’s about growth, surprises, and connecting with the audience. Joey Graziadei’s win, Ilona Maher’s strength, Chandler Kinney’s history-making run, and all the other highlights kept us entertained week after week. The mix of Olympians, reality stars, and athletes brought fresh energy, while the finale delivered a satisfying end with Joey and Jenna as champions.
Final Thoughts
Dancing with the Stars 2024 (Season 33) was a rollercoaster of emotions and incredible performances. From Stephen’s gymnastics flair to Joey’s Mirrorball victory, these top 10 moments made the season unforgettable. Did you watch live, or are you catching up now? Who was your favorite contestant? Let us know in the comments below! And if you loved this season, get ready for the DWTS Live 2025 Tour, where stars like Joey, Ilona, and Chandler will hit the road. Season 34 is already confirmed for next fall, so the dance party isn’t over yet. Keep shining, Mirrorball fans!
