By Ella Lowry
If you didn’t watch the Dancing with the Stars finale last week… understandable. It’s
finals season, sleep is a suggestion, and watching celebrities attempt a rumba might not
be everyone’s idea of a study break.
But this finale?
This finale was something else.
Not chaotic, just… a lot — in the glitteriest way possible.
The Opening Number: Everyone Returns to the Ballroom
The show kicked off with a full cast reunion. Every eliminated star returned for one huge
opening number, and it honestly looked like the dance-floor version of “remember
them?”
It felt like a class reunion, but with better costumes and no one pretending they’re
“doing great.” Sequins everywhere, smiles everywhere, and a genuinely fun way to
remind viewers how far the finalists have come.
Five Finalists, Three Rounds, One Mirrorball
With five couples still in the running, the finale was packed. And to make sure it felt like
a true showdown, producers added three rounds, including one the show had literally
never done before. DWTS loves a curveball.
Here’s how the night played out:
Round 1: Redemption Dance
Each finalist performed a style they struggled with earlier in the season.
It was the ballroom version of revising an assignment — and everyone came back
stronger.
Round 2: Freestyle
The freestyle round is always the season’s “go big or go home” moment, and this year
was no exception. Big lifts, big themes, dramatic lighting, and the kind of choreography
that makes you wonder how these celebrities weren’t dancers before.
Round 3: The New Challenge
For the first time ever, DWTS introduced The Instant Chroeo Challenge — couples
got only minutes to learn and perform a routine live.
Yes, minutes.
It was intense, a little stressful, but surprisingly impressive. And as chaotic as the idea
sounds, it made for great live TV.
The Final Two: Robert vs. Alix
Let’s be honest: everyone expected this pairing.
Both had strong seasons with huge fan support, and both walked into the finale ready to
fight for that trophy.
Alix’s Finale
Alix delivered one of her best nights of the season. Her freestyle was sharp, emotional,
and visually stunning. And the song choices chef’s kiss. The judges had nothing but
praise — and she genuinely made it a close race.
Robert’s Finale
Robert, however, came in with finals-week energy: focused, determined, and refusing to
leave without the mirror ball.
His redemption dance was polished.
His freestyle was electric.
And during the instant choreography challenge — arguably the most stressful moment of the
night — he stayed calm, confident, even after a little confusion.
And the Winner Is…
After the classic drawn-out suspense, the hosts finally announced:
ROBERT AND WITNEY ARE THE WINNERS OF THE MIRRORBALL.
The crowd erupted. Confetti fell. Witney jumped into his arms. It was one of those
happy, full-circle DWTS endings where the season’s narrative just… clicks.
And honestly?
He earned it. His growth throughout the competition was obvious, and he delivered at
his absolute best when it mattered.
Final Verdict: A Strong, Satisfying Finale
The Dancing With the Stars 2025 finale gave viewers:
â—Ź high energy
â—Ź tons of sparkle
â—Ź an intense final showdown
â—Ź and a winner who genuinely deserved the mirror ball
A little dramatic? Sure.
A little over the top? Always.
But DWTS wouldn’t be DWTS any other way.