Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

By Austyn — and yes… this is officially our last DWTS blog post of the year 😭

The Dancing with the Stars Season 34 finale gave us everything you want in a grand finale: emotional storylines, tight scores, surprise moments, and some of the cleanest performances we’ve seen all season. The energy in the ballroom was next-level — you could just tell every couple came ready to leave their entire journey on the floor.

And because this is our final DWTS recap of the year, I made sure this one is extra fun, extra detailed, and the perfect wrap-up to an unforgettable season. 💫

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💃 ROUND 1: Judges’ Pick

The night kicked off with a classic: the judges choosing a dance for each couple to redo. These rounds always reveal how much growth happened since week one — and this season, the glow-ups were obvious.

• Alix & Val opened the show with so much confidence. Her lines were cleaner, her timing was tighter, and it really felt like a full-circle moment.

• Robert & Witney had the emotional storyline of the night. Even with a rib injury, Robert pushed through and delivered such a smooth, controlled quickstep. It was one of those performances where you couldn’t help but root for him.

Jordan & Ezra proved once again why they’ve been one of the strongest duos — sharp, athletic, and totally connected.

Dylan & Daniella looked relaxed, natural, and in sync, which made their improvement stand out even more.

Elaine & Alan delivered a confident, polished performance that showed how far she’d come since the beginning.

The judges were impressed, the crowd was loud, and everyone started the night on a really strong note.

🕺 ROUND 2: Instant Dance

Instant Dance is always chaotic in theory… but this cast made it look easy. They got their music and dance style moments before performing, but you wouldn’t have guessed it based on how well they held it together.

Alix came out with a crisp, fun cha-cha that fit her perfectly.

Jordan managed to stay powerful while making everything look effortless — which is not easy under instant pressure.

Dylan & Daniella brought charm and personality, making their dance one of the most enjoyable of the round.

Elaine stayed committed, delivering a routine that was clean and classy.

Robert kept his energy high and didn’t let the nerves or injury show.

It was one of the most consistent Instant Dance rounds in years, and it kept the competition super tight heading into the freestyles.

🌟 ROUND 3: Freestyles

Freestyle night is the moment everyone waits for — and every single couple delivered a finale-worthy performance. All five couples earned perfect 10s, which honestly tells you everything you need to know.

• Robert & Witney’s freestyle was pure heart. It was emotional without being heavy, joyful without being chaotic, and the choreography had so many memorable moments. You could feel how meaningful the night was for him.

• Alix & Val brought so much confidence and personality. Their routine was upbeat, stylish, and felt exactly like something she would post on her socials — in the best way.

Jordan & Ezra went full powerhouse mode with flips, lifts, and strength-based choreography that reminded everyone how insanely talented Jordan is.

Dylan & Daniella delivered a feel-good, cinematic freestyle that made the ballroom come alive.

Elaine & Alan wrapped up their DWTS journey with a routine that showed not just technique, but growth and presence.

It’s rare for every single freestyle to hit — but this season, they truly did.

🏆 The Final Results

After three rounds of standout performances, the Mirrorball Trophy went to…

🥇 Robert Irwin & Witney Carson

A super well-deserved win after a season full of consistency, heart, and real improvement. His journey felt authentic, and the audience clearly connected with him.

Honestly, this was one of those finales where any of the top couples could have lifted the trophy and it would’ve made sense. That’s how strong this cast was from start to finish.

💬 My Thoughts

This finale really showed how tight the competition was. Every couple had standout moments throughout the season, and all of them brought something different to the table:

Alix had one of the clearest growth arcs and found her confidence.

Jordan consistently delivered high-level, athletic performances.

Dylan surprised people week after week with how natural he became.

Elaine had such a solid comeback and found her rhythm.

And Robert grew in technique AND in connection — which is probably why he resonated so much with the audience.

There wasn’t a single “easy” cut tonight, and that made the finale feel exciting all the way through.

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😢 Our Final DWTS Post of the Year

I cannot believe it, but this is officially our last DWTS blog post of the year.

Thank you guys so much for reading these recaps, DMing me your predictions, sending me your favorite dances, and laughing with me every week. It made watching the show even more fun.

We’ll be back next season with brand-new recaps, new couples to obsess over, new drama, and of course… new scores to debate.

Until then, thank you for dancing through this season with me. 💛✨

— Austyn