This semester has been overwhelmingly busy, and with the cold weather moving in,if you’re feeling a little down like I am, I totally get it. Something small that has been getting me through the last few weeks is the weekly episode of Dancing With The Stars. If you’re unfamiliar, this is a show streaming weekly on ABC and Disney+ that pairs celebrities with professional ballroom dancers, and they compete live, performing dances in front of a panel of judges and an audience. Fans watching at home are able to text in their votes and vote online, and at the end of each episode, one couple is eliminated based on combined judges’ scores and viewer votes. The current season, Season 33, began on September 17th, 2024, and the 3-hour finale will be on November 26th. 

As a former child who danced and loved watching So You Think You Can Dance, I’m surprised I haven’t gotten into this show sooner. I actually only began watching last season, when actress Xochitl Gomez and pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy took home the Mirrorball (the championship trophy). I rooted for them, and I was very impressed with the show, which made me super excited to watch this season! I was especially glad to recognize many of the pro dancers as former contestants on So You Think You Can Dance!

Thus, as a relative outsider, I want to share my thoughts on the current season of Dancing With The Stars and predict what I think will happen in the finale!

First of all, the list of contestants remaining, after last week’s semifinals, is Danny Amendola (NFL wide receiver) and pro Witney Carson, Joey Graziadei (star of The Bachelor) and pro Jenna Johnson, Chandler Kinney (actress) and pro Brandon Armstrong, Ilona Maher (Olympian rugby player) and pro Alan Bersten, and Stephen Nedoroscik (Olympian gymnast) and pro Rylee Arnold. 

It’s been a long few weeks, since there were 13 contestants to begin season 33, but we’re finally down to the final five! To elaborate a little more on the show structure, each pro dancer choreographs a new routine weekly to an assigned style of ballroom or Latin dance, including Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Tango, and Quickstep. Also, every episode has a specific theme, like Disney Night or Halloween Night. This makes all of the song and costume choices unique, an aspect of the show that keeps it enjoyable and fresh. But what I feel really drawn to is the dance techniques, and how much the performers are learning and improving each week. 

I will admit, I was most anticipating rooting for Ilona this summer when the cast list came out, but I’ve found myself favoring Chandler more and more as I watch! I think she is the strongest celebrity this season, and I’ve loved watching her excel in different ballroom styles. 

I have also been in disagreement with some of the judges’ scores (this season the judges are Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, judges from the show’s first season, and Derek Hough, a former pro on the show). They each rate every dance 1-10, but I’ve felt that their commentary and ratings have been inconsistent not only per week, but also for the whole of certain episodes. This disagreement actually is an engaging aspect of the show, because I find myself watching closely and attempting to anticipate the judges’ ratings. 

Ultimately though, it all comes down to the finale. In a surprise twist from other seasons, nobody was eliminated during the semi-finals, so all five finalist contestants will dance two dances in the final episode before the winner is crowned and granted the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy (in honor of the late Len Goodman, a former judge on the show).

My prediction is that Chandler and Brandon will be winning this season. They have a solid fanbase and Chandler has consistently been judged well by the panel. Honestly, though, these competitors are so strong that it will be a very close race at the finish line. I do have a fondness for all five couples, so I will be pleased with any outcome (that being said… go Chandler!). 

It is unfortunately too late for you to catch up on this season if you haven’t been watching, but I would encourage you to tune into the live finale on ABC or Disney+ at 8 pm on November 26th anyway; the dancing will be incredible. Either way, make sure you remember the recommendation and watch Dancing With The Stars next season!


Senior Emily Hanson is the Managing Editor. Her email is ehanson@fandm.edu.