This is an opinion article. Any views expressed belong solely to the author and are not representative of The Cluster, any organizations the author is a member of or the faculty, staff or administration at Mercer University.
Season 34 of “Dancing With the Stars” became one of the most talked-about seasons in the show's history. It broke viewing and voting records and dominated social media conversations, according to Deadline. In my opinion, the cast was one of the strongest in years because it blended technical talent with big personalities that kept the competition engaging from start to finish.
The show pairs celebrities with professional ballroom dancers, who train and choreograph with them each week. At week's end, the couples perform ballroom and Latin routines during themed nights like Disney Night, Wicked Night and Dedication Night. This season, judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli scored the routines while viewer votes accounted for half of each couple’s weekly result. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough host the show, and the winners receive the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, named after a longtime head judge.
Robert Irwin, wildlife conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin, won this season. In my opinion, he was the right winner after he showed genuine improvement paired with natural ability he had going into the season. His contemporary tribute to “Footprints in the Sand,” inspired by the routine his sister Bindi performed during her winning season, became one of the year’s most emotional moments, and his finale freestyle with Witney Carson felt unmistakably like a winning performance.
Carson, in my opinion, deserved the victory as much as Irwin did. She previously won with Ribeiro in 2014, and many fans felt she should have won again in Season 27 with Milo Manheim. Because of that history, I hoped she would finally receive the recognition she deserved.
Val Chmerkovskiy partnered with social media influencer Alix Earle, who finished as runner-up. Chmerkovskiy captured the Mirrorball Trophy two seasons ago, and his wife, Jenna Chmerkovskiy, won it the following year. A third consecutive family win would have been historic, but this season ultimately belonged to Carson and Irwin.
Earle was a deserving runner-up with the strongest improvement arc of the cast. Her foxtrot to “Singin’ in the Rain,” her Maleficent-themed “Once Upon a Dream” and her paso doble to “Livin’ on a Prayer” all showed off her growth. It seems that if she had competed in a different season, she would have stood a chance to win the whole thing.
Dylan Efron, social media influencer and brother to Zac Efron, finished fourth with Daniella Karagach. In my opinion, Karagach’s choreography carried much of their partnership. She is one of the show’s most powerful pros and can easily outshine her partners. Their contemporary to “Ain’t No Sunshine,” featuring her now-viral floating movement designed to mimic drifting underwater, was a standout of their performances this season.
Atlanta actress Elaine Hendrix, best known for her role in “The Parent Trap,” finished fifth with Alan Bersten. At 54, she became one of only three contestants over 50 ever to compete on the show, and her placement helped challenge the stereotype that older competitors cannot perform or place as highly as younger stars.
Whitney Leavitt and Andy Richter became two of the most pivotal non-finalists. Leavitt, from “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” entered as the strongest technical dancer, though her animated presentation sometimes felt less genuine. Her partnership with Mark Ballas gave her a slight advantage though, as he is one of the show’s most prestigious professionals and often returns only for celebrities projected to win the show in advance.
In contrast, comedian Richter entered as the weakest dancer but became one of the season’s most beloved personalities. His dedication dance to his stepdaughter Cornelia and his joyful “Puttin’ on the Ritz” routine were two highlights of his journey. Despite being opposites, Levitt and Richter placed only one spot apart. Other notable non-finalists included Danielle Fishel, Hilaria Baldwin and Jen Affleck.
