Dancing with the Stars: The Freestyle Finale Showdown

Dancing with the Stars has always been a show that captures the hearts of viewers. The freestyle dances in the finals are a big deal. They are longer and not tied to any specific dance style. This means the celebrities and their pro partners can get really creative. The show has seen a surge in popularity, especially among younger viewers. The semifinals this year were a huge hit, with ratings soaring higher than they have in seven years. Fan voting also reached a new high, showing just how engaged the audience is. The freestyle dances over the years have been a mix of classic ballroom, hip-hop, acrobatics, and even some dramatic props. Let's take a look at some of the most memorable freestyles from past seasons. Last year, Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson won Season 33 with a freestyle to "Canned Heat. " In 2023, Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy won Season 32 with their freestyle to "Que Calor. " The year before that, Charli D'Amelio and Mark Ballas took the crown with their dance to "Us Again. " This season's pros have a lot of experience with freestyles. Val Chmerkovskiy, who won with Laurie Hernandez in Season 23, is back this season with Alix Earle. Their freestyle was to "Brand New. " Witney Carson, who won with Alfonso Ribeiro in Season 19, is now paired with Robert Irwin. Their freestyle was to "Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing). " Daniela Karagach, who won Season 30 with Iman Shumpert, is now dancing with Dylan Efron. Their winning freestyle was to a mashup of "Lose Control" and "Bounce. " Other notable freestyles include Milo Manheim and Witney Carson's dance to "Ain't No Sunshine" in Season 27. Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold won Season 25 with their freestyle to "Puttin' on the Ritz 2017. " Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough won Season 21 with their emotional freestyle to "Footprints in the Sand. " James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess finished second in Season 23 with their dance to "Beethoven's 5 Secrets. " Amy Purdy and Derek Hough were runner-ups in Season 18 with their freestyle to "Dare You. "