First Published: December 3, 2013 9:20 PM EST Credit: ABC
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- 
Caption Corbin Bleu performs on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ Nov. 11, 2013Former “High School Musical” star-turned-“One Life To Live” star Corbin Bleu joined AccessHollywood.com as our behind-the-scenes celebrity blogger for the most recent season of “Dancing with the Stars.” This is his final blog of Season 17…
Let me start by saying I am so grateful to everyone out there who has supported “DWTS” and Karina [Smirnoff] and I throughout this entire season. Thank you to God, my family, my girlfriend, my friends and all who have been rocks in my life and helped me through this incredible journey!
Looking back on the entire adventure I would not have changed a thing. Even coming in second is a reminder that everything happens for a reason. The goal of joining “DWTS” was never to win a trophy, but to experience all this ride has to offer. I got the chance to learn a new art and can walk away saying I truly know how to ballroom dance. I have made new friends for life and Karina is at the top of that list.
PHOTOS: ‘Dancing With The Stars’: Highlights From Season 17
Thank you to Karina for your teachings, your patience, for sharing amazing moments with me, and most importantly, your friendship! We never argued the entire time and that says a lot with all the pressure this show can bring. I look back on every performance we gave and I’m astounded at what we were able to create. I learned the versatility I’m capable of in dance — from romance, to playing the villain, to big show stopping cabaret, to simple and quiet emotion, to channeling the King of Pop!
At the end of the day, even with all of the physical strain and emotional ups and downs, “DWTS” has been, and always will be, a giant pillar in my life that I will hold dear. And making it to the final round allowed me the possibility to fulfill every opportunity to perform. I grew up in this industry and performing is my life. So to be able to do what I love doing every day on that caliber of a stage has fulfilled me in a huge way. I know I will be able to take what I have learned here with me to the next chapter of my career and add it to my entertainment belt. Now it’s time to rest and enjoy the holidays with the family and recoup! I’m sure once I’ve caught up on sleep I’m going to wake up and go through some withdrawals. So I might need to hit up Karina and get in some dancing here and there :) Love to everyone and always remember that life is what you make it! See you soon!
-- Corbin Bleu
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