SUBSCRIBE

Taking the checkered flag

The Baltimore Sun

The sparkly mirror ball trophy signifying the newest winner of ABC's Dancing with the Stars went to race car driver Helio Castroneves and partner Julianne Hough on last night's finale.

"I want to thank my team for letting me do this, second my family, the fans, and this special person here," Castroneves said, referring to Hough.

Castroneves, Spice Girl Melanie "Mel B" Brown and entertainer Marie Osmond performed two dances Monday night for judges' scores and viewers' votes. Early in last night's episode, Osmond was named the third-place finisher, leaving her fellow finalists to reprise their favorite dance of the season for one last score from the judges.

Brown and her partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, revisited their mambo from Week 8, earning a 30 out of 30 from the judges. Castroneves and Hough danced their quick step, also from Week 8 and also garnering a perfect score.

Celine Dion sang twice, and between montages of moments from the season, the looking back continued as ousted dancers took to the dance floor with their professional partners. Contestants Wayne Newton and Floyd Mayweather Jr. stopped by to chat but opted not to dance.

After hearing that she was in third place, Osmond, 48, said, "I am so pleased to be here at my age. ... With everything that I've been through in the past 10 weeks, [partner Jonathan Roberts] and the fans pulled me through it." Osmond's father passed away, and her son was admitted into rehab during the season.

Hough is on a streak. She also partnered with last season's winner, Apolo Anton Ohno.

Copyright © 2021, The Baltimore Sun, a Baltimore Sun Media Group publication | Place an Ad

You've reached your monthly free article limit.

Get Unlimited Digital Access

4 weeks for only 99¢
Subscribe Now

Cancel Anytime

Already have digital access? Log in

Log out

Print subscriber? Activate digital access