Final of Season 34 of 'Dancing With the Stars': Predicting the Winner of the Mirror Ball Trophy and Ranking the Remaining Contestants

The excitement is building as Dancing With the Stars prepares to announce the winner of its 34th season. Tonights three-hour finale on ABC will see the remaining contestants perform their final routines, with Elaine Hendrix, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles, and Robert Irwin competing for the coveted mirror ball trophy.

A Unique Finale Format

This season's finale introduces a first-of-its-kind format. Cohost Alfonso Ribeiro shared on the November 18 episode that the finalists will perform three dances: a Judges Choice, an Instant Dance to a surprise song revealed live, and a freestyle routine. Ribeiro emphasized, Next week, were taking over all of ABC in primetime with our most demanding season finale in the history of the show. For the first time, well have three rounds of competition.

Fan Favorites and Contenders

Among the finalists, Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson are widely considered front-runners. The 21-year-old wildlife conservationist, son of Steve Irwin, has consistently scored at the top of the leaderboard and achieved his first perfect score of the season in Week 9. His large fan following could play a crucial role in securing the most votes tonight.

Despite his strong performances, Irwin has faced physical challenges. Carson revealed in a TikTok video that he has been experiencing rib pain, with further details expected to be shared during the finale. A victory tonight would make Robert the second Irwin sibling to win the competition, following his sister Bindi Irwins Season 21 win in 2015.

Underdogs of Season 34

While there isnt a clear underdog this season, Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach ranked lowest on the semifinals leaderboard, with a combined score of 55/60. Nevertheless, Efron has had standout moments, including a heartfelt contemporary dance dedicated to his sister Olivia in Week 5 and achieving a perfect score in Week 9.

Semifinals Recap

During the November 18 episode, the six semifinalists performed two routines inspired by Prince: one in a new style and another showcasing their growth in a previously performed style. Ribeiro noted that Week 10 received the highest number of votes in show history.

Round 1 Performances

• Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten Foxtrot, I Wanna Be Your Lover, 27/30
• Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy Argentine Tango, Little Red Corvette, 28/30
• Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas Cha-cha, 1999, 29/30
• Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach Argentine Tango, I Would Die 4 U, 27/30
• Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa Jive, Raspberry Beret, 27/30
• Robert Irwin & Witney Carson Jive, Baby Im a Star, 30/30

Round 2 Performances

• Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten Paso Doble, When Doves Cry, 30/30
• Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy Viennese Waltz, Purple Rain, 30/30
• Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas Cha-cha, Kiss, 29/30
• Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach Viennese Waltz, Slow Love, 28/30
• Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa Argentine Tango, U Got the Look, 30/30
• Robert Irwin & Witney Carson Viennese Waltz, Wow, 29/30

Semifinal Rankings

The combined semifinal scores placed Robert Irwin and Witney Carson at the top, with Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach at the bottom. Notably, frontrunner Whitney Leavitt was eliminated in a surprising twist. The final standings were:

• Robert Irwin & Witney Carson: 59/60
• Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy: 58/60
• Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa: 57/60
• Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten: 57/60
• Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach: 55/60

Weekly Score Recap

Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten

Week 1: 12/20, Week 2: 22/30, Week 3: 21/30, Week 4: 24/30, Week 5: 30/40, Week 6: 36/40, Week 7: 32/40, Week 8: 37/40, Week 9: 36/40, Week 10: 57/60

Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy

Week 1: 13/20, Week 2: 21/30, Week 3: 23/30, Week 4: 24/30, Week 5: 35/40, Week 6: 35/40, Week 7: 39/40, Week 8: 39/40, Week 9: 40/40, Week 10: 58/60

Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach

Week 1: 10/20, Week 2: 20/30, Week 3: 23/30, Week 4: 23/30, Week 5: 36/40, Week 6: 32/40, Week 7: 35/40, Week 8: 36/40, Week 9: 40/40, Week 10: 55/60

Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa

Week 1: 10/20, Week 2: 22/30, Week 3: 24/30, Week 4: 24/30, Week 5: 32/40, Week 6: 39/40, Week 7: 34/40, Week 8: 38/40, Week 9: 37/40, Week 10: 57/60

Robert Irwin & Witney Carson

Week 1: 15/20, Week 2: 22/30, Week 3: 22/30, Week 4: 22/30, Week 5: 35/40, Week 6: 36/40, Week 7: 38/40, Week 8: 38/40, Week 9: 40/40, Week 10: 59/60

Analysis of the "Dancing With the Stars" Season 34 Finale

The 34th season of "Dancing With the Stars" is drawing to a close, with the final performances of the season set to take place tonight. The remaining contestants—Elaine Hendrix, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles, and Robert Irwin—are all vying for the coveted mirror ball trophy. This season’s finale is particularly exciting, as it introduces a never-before-seen format: three rounds of competition, including a Judges’ Choice, an Instant Dance to a surprise song, and a freestyle routine. The anticipation surrounding this structure is palpable, especially with the stakes at an all-time high.

Among the finalists, Robert Irwin has emerged as a front-runner. He has consistently topped the leaderboard, receiving perfect scores and maintaining a strong fan following. However, his journey has not been without challenges. Irwin has reportedly been struggling with rib pain, which may affect his performance in the finale. Despite this, his popularity and previous achievements make him a contender for the win, potentially making him the second Irwin sibling to take home the trophy, after his sister Bindi’s victory in 2015.

On the other hand, Dylan Efron has been considered an underdog. Despite ranking lower in the semifinals, Efron has showcased memorable moments, including a powerful contemporary dance in Week 5 and a perfect score in Week 9. Though he might not have the same widespread fan base as Irwin, his performances have certainly earned him a place in the finale.

The season has been full of surprises, with unexpected eliminations and impressive performances. The semifinal rankings placed Robert Irwin and Witney Carson at the top, with a combined score of 59/60, followed closely by Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy at 58/60. Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, while ranking the lowest, still managed to perform well and reach the finale with 55/60. These rankings indicate that while Robert Irwin is a clear favorite, any of the remaining contestants could pull off an upset, depending on the final performances and fan votes.

As the season reaches its conclusion, the question remains: who will ultimately claim the mirror ball trophy? While Irwin’s strong track record makes him a likely winner, the unique format of the finale introduces an element of unpredictability. Tonight's finale is set to be an exciting conclusion to a memorable season of "Dancing With the Stars."

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• 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 34 finale: Who might win the mirror ball trophy? Where do the remaining contestants rank?