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.

Memorable Freestyles from Past Seasons

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.

• Season 33 (2023): Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson won with a freestyle to "Canned Heat."
• Season 32 (2023): Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy won with their freestyle to "Que Calor."
• Season 31 (2022): Charli D'Amelio and Mark Ballas took the crown with their dance to "Us Again."

This Season's Freestyles

This season's pros have a lot of experience with freestyles.

• Val Chmerkovskiy (won with Laurie Hernandez in Season 23) is back this season with Alix Earle. Their freestyle was to "Brand New."
• Witney Carson (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 (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

• Milo Manheim and Witney Carson danced 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."