“Glee’s” Amber Riley and her partner, last year’s crown winner Derek Hough have officially been crowned the winners of season 17 of “Dancing With The Stars“.
Tuesday night, DWTS kicked off it’s finale by inviting all of the dancers back to reminisce about their time during the popular dance competition but mostly watch the final three, Amber Riley, Jack Osbourne and Corbin Bleu foxtrot it out for the coveted crown.
While former Disney star Corbin Bleu performed a “flat footed” combination dance of foxtrot and the cha cha with partner Karina Smirnoff and Osboourne accompanied by partner Cheryl Burke performed a “fiery” fusion of paso and salsa, it was Riley and Hough’s “seamless and effortless” quickstep to “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me (Higher and Higher),” that won over the judges, each scoring them a 10, for a perfect score of 30.
It was time for the results and each contestant respectively thanked their professional partners and fans:
Jack Osbourne (third place):
“I’ve learned that I’m definitely not a better dancer than my sister. We are now tied,” he said, adding, “I’ve learned that if you just dive in and you have a great teacher, it is possible to become a ballroom dancer.”
Corbin Bleu (second place):
“I thank God for this experience. I thank my family and my best partner in the world. … I had a blast.”
Amber Riley (Season 17 champion):
“I want to let women of all sizes out there know — you can do whatever you put your mind to! It doesn’t matter what size you are, what color you are. You can do whatever, whatever, whatever you put your mind to!”
Congrats to Riley on dancing through all of the knee pain and injuries throughout most of the season in efforts to gain her crown! – ruthie hawkins/@ruubabie
