'Dancing With the Stars' Season 21 Cast Adam Taylor/ABC
The finale was a competitive battle between Nick Carter and Bindi Irwin.
Dancing With the Stars awarded its season 21 winner with the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy on Tuesday night.
After a live opening at the holiday-adorned L.A. Grove and a dance from each celebrity-pro pairing, hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews announced the champions at the wrap of the season finale.
Professional dancer Derek Hough and Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin's daughter/Australian actress/wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin took home the winning trophy in front of a live audience on the ABC dancing competition's ballroom floor. The pair performed a 24-hour fusion challenge, which judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough and Bruno Tonioli awarded a score of 30/30.
“Thank you so much for everything. I can’t believe that I’m here,” Irwin said. “Thank you for changing my life.”
It was a close battle between pro dancer Sharna Burgess and former Backstreet Boys frontman Nick Carter, who came in second place and earned a 30/30 for their 24-hour fusion performance.
"This experience was a bonding experience. It was something that I will always remember,” Carter said. “Bindi deserved it. She kicked butt.”
Army National Guardsman/train hero Alek Skarlatos and pro partner Lindsay Arnold came in third place after scoring a 27/30 for their Rumba/Tango. Audiences were entertained during the two-hour finale with performances by Alexander Jean, Andy Grammer, Chaka Khan, Elle King and the Mirror Ball Trophy-winner himself.
“This has been the craziest ride of my life and I’ve just had so much fun,” Skarlatos said.
Dancing with the Stars
