The question who won Dancing With the Stars 2025 sits at the center of national attention today, and the answer has not yet been revealed. The Season 34 finale airs live tonight, and the champion will only be known once the final votes and judges’ scores are announced on air. Until then, the competition remains open, and the season’s remaining couples are preparing for one of the most demanding finales in the show’s history.
This long-form report breaks down everything confirmed so far in full detail, offering a comprehensive look at the finalists, the expanded format, the scoring structure, and why this season stands out as one of the most competitive ever. With no winner declared yet, this article focuses strictly on verified, current facts as of today.
A Closer Look at the Season 34 Finalists
This season features five finalists, marking one of the largest finale fields the series has seen. Each celebrity and professional partner brings a distinct style, storyline, and skill set into the final night.
Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy
Alix Earle stepped into the ballroom with a strong social following, but she proved quickly that audience size alone doesn’t secure high scores. Her routines throughout the season earned praise for control, awareness of lines, and growing artistry. Partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy—a two-time champion known for pushing celebrities toward technical excellence—Alix enters the finale with momentum and a polished performance style.
Robert Irwin & Witney Carson
Robert Irwin became one of the breakout personalities of the season. Known for his conservation work and energetic presence, he brought enthusiasm to the ballroom from day one. As the season progressed, his footwork, frame, and rhythm improved dramatically. Witney Carson, a previous champion, choreographed routines that highlighted Robert’s charisma while building his technical base. Their consistency places them among the most talked-about finalists.
Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach
Dylan Efron earned steady growth marks throughout the competition. His athleticism translated into sharp movement and strong lifts, while Daniella Karagach—recognized for bold choreography—structured routines aimed at showcasing range. Together, they delivered performances that balanced precision and power. Their journey has been marked by resilience and visible improvement each week.
Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa
Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles entered the competition with a natural advantage in strength, agility, and performance endurance. Her challenge was channeling that athletic control into ballroom technique, which demands softer transitions and grounded footwork. Ezra Sosa structured her routines to bridge athleticism with dance artistry. As the season developed, Jordan delivered a wide variety of rhythms and styles with increasing confidence, putting her squarely in finalist territory.
Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten
Elaine Hendrix brought a veteran performer’s presence to the ballroom. Her expressive style and theatrical delivery made her routines stand out visually, even in crowded competition weeks. Alan Bersten designed choreography that maximized storytelling and precision. Whether in ballroom or Latin styles, Elaine’s performances displayed commitment and emotional depth. Their endurance throughout the season earned them a well-deserved place in this year’s finale.
Why This Finale Is Unlike Any Before
Season 34 introduced a new three-round finale structure. All finalists must complete:
1. Judges’ Selection Round
In this round, the judging panel selects a style the couple already performed earlier in the season. The goal is to highlight growth by comparing the contestant’s earlier performance to their current mastery. For many finalists, this is the moment to show sharper footwork, cleaner lines, and improved musicality.
2. Instant Dance Round
The instant dance injects high pressure into the finale. Couples learn a style, choreography, and music selection moments before performing live. Without extended rehearsal, contestants must rely on instinct, partnership trust, and technique built throughout the season. This round often shifts leaderboards quickly and rewards adaptability.
3. Freestyle Round
The freestyle remains the most anticipated dance of any season. With few restrictions, couples can incorporate lifts, mixed styles, unique musical arrangements, and dramatic staging. For many viewers, this performance defines the finale. For finalists, it is the ultimate chance to make a lasting impression before voting closes.
This expanded format demands stamina, versatility, and focus. Each finalist must execute three high-intensity routines during a single broadcast, making the night one of the most physically demanding episodes in the show’s thirty-four-season history.
Live Voting and How the Winner Is Chosen
Dancing With the Stars crowns a winner based on a combined total of judges’ scores and live viewer votes. The finale follows the same structure:
- Judges score each round independently.
- Audience votes remain open during the broadcast.
- Scores are combined to determine the final ranking.
Because the show airs live nationwide, voting plays a crucial role. Strong audience support can elevate a couple even if they trail slightly in judges’ scoring. Likewise, a standout finale performance can win over undecided viewers.
Since the winner is determined live during the broadcast, no official winner can exist before the show airs.
The Importance of Performance Momentum
Throughout the season, momentum plays a major role in a couple’s finale trajectory. Several factors commonly influence how couples fare on finale night:
Consistency
Couples who maintain steady growth often perform better under finale pressure. Consistency across multiple dance styles shows that the pair can handle the technical variety required for the final three routines.
Audience Connection
Storytelling matters in ballroom dance. Contestants who connected emotionally with the audience throughout the season often enter finale night with a voting advantage.
Improvement Arc
Viewers respond strongly to improvement. Contestants who began as underdogs and grew into top performers frequently receive strong support on the final night.
Final Week Rehearsals
The final week involves intense rehearsals. Each couple must prepare choreography for two full routines ahead of time while training for the instant dance round with minimal notice. The ability to retain choreography and maintain energy becomes crucial.
Partnership Chemistry
Couples who display strong chemistry on and off the floor often perform better under pressure. Trust between partners is especially important in complex lifts and fast transitions.
Why the Winner Has Not Been Announced Yet
Despite high audience interest, the winner remains unknown because the finale has not yet aired. Dancing With the Stars keeps results strictly live, and the show does not pre-record or leak outcomes.
This guarantees fairness and keeps viewers engaged through every stage of the broadcast. The winner will be revealed only once:
- All finale dances are completed
- Judges give final scores
- Live voting closes
- All points are combined
At that moment, the season’s champion will be named on air.
How to Watch the Results Tonight
The finale airs live at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and is also available for same-time streaming in participating U.S. regions. The broadcast is expected to include behind-the-scenes segments, interviews, highlight packages, and special performances from eliminated contestants and professional dancers.
Viewers can follow the finale in real time, vote live, and witness the moment the winning couple is crowned.
What Makes Season 34 Stand Out
Season 34 has earned attention for several reasons:
A Larger Finale Cast
Five finalists instead of the traditional three or four increases the competitive depth.
Higher Technical Standards
This cast features a mix of athletes, performers, and public personalities, leading to diverse strengths across styles.
New Instant Dance Round
The surprise choreography format adds unpredictability and emphasizes true dance versatility.
Stronger Storytelling Elements
Several contestants delivered emotionally driven routines that resonated widely with viewers.
Broad Audience Engagement
The season maintained strong online engagement, with fan discussions and weekly breakdowns elevating the show’s visibility.
A Finale That Promises a Close Finish
Since all finalists bring unique strengths, tonight’s outcome may hinge on small details—such as a cleaner foot placement, a tighter turn sequence, or a standout musical interpretation during freestyle.
Finale nights often deliver memorable performances, and Season 34 is positioned to be no exception. With no clear front-runner and a demanding competition structure, the live broadcast will determine the couple who can deliver precision, emotion, and energy under peak pressure.
Final Word Before the Winner Is Crowned
The anticipation surrounding who won Dancing With the Stars 2025 reflects how engaged U.S. audiences are with this season’s cast and format. The finale airs tonight, and only once the final votes are counted will the winning couple be officially confirmed.
Stay tuned for the live reveal, and join the conversation once the Mirrorball Trophy is awarded.