A scoring drama on “Dancing With the Stars” ignited heated reactions online, as fans rallied behind a beloved contestant they believed delivered a flawless performance.
The season 33 finale of “Dancing With the Stars” on November 26 was a night of high-stakes competition and heated debates. While fans celebrated the talent on display, many were frustrated by the actions of one of the show’s judges toward gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and his dance partner.
A netizen’s comment on Stephen Nedoroscik’s performance on “Dancing with the Stars,” posted on November 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram.com/dancingwiththestars
The finale featured the top five couples: Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold, actress Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong, “The Bachelorette” star Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, rugby player Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten, and former NFL player Danny Amendola and Witney Carson.
Each pair performed one final routine in hopes of winning the coveted mirrorball trophy after the semifinals ended without an elimination.
Among the standout performances were Nedoroscik and Arnold’s Quick Step. Before their number, Nedoroscik expressed admiration for his partner, “We’ve just developed such a great relationship, and getting her to this point feels amazing.”
Despite finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard last week, Nedoroscik entered the finale confidently, drawing on his experience as a world-class gymnast. “When I was at the Olympics, I had a ton of pressure on me, and I handled it perfectly too,” he said.
Rylee Arnold and Stephen Nedoroscik performing on “DWTS” on November 26, 2024 | Source: instagram.com/dancingwiththestars
Nedoroscik and Arnold’s dazzling show earned high praise from Judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “All I could think of while I was watching that dance is that Len Goodman, this gentleman, this mirrorball [trophy] right here, would have been smiling from ear to ear. That was absolutely the best I’ve ever seen you,” Inaba remarked.
However, Derek Hough‘s feedback sparked controversy. He initially praised Nedoroscik and his dance partner, calling them “a burst of sunshine, like two little antidepressants dancing across the floor.”