Top 10 Best Dancing with the Stars Finale Dances

This Spice Girl first danced the cha-cha in the very first week, scoring 8s from all the judges—pretty impressive, but still room for improvement! The singer already had much of the cha-cha spirit down, so it was really about honing her technique. This time, she showcased everything she had learned over the past few weeks while keeping the dance style’s character intact and sprinkling plenty of her own unique spice over it, too. The judges noticed her improvement, even if they had some feedback to share. Still, the results spoke for themselves—she went from a score of 24 to 28.

Back in week two, the former NFL running back and his partner took on the Viennese waltz, scoring straight eights—a solid start for early in the season. But when they revisited the dance in the finals, it was clear just how much he'd grown. Jennings had transformed into a confident dancer; his technique was praised, but it was his complete immersion in the performance that stood out. This wasn't just a routine—it was a full-on show. It was almost like watching a new person. If any dance showed he was mirrorball material, it was this one. It also earned the couple their first perfect score.

The last time Paige danced the salsa was in week two, dancing with Alan Bersten after Ballas got hurt—and that performance was so hot it set the rumor mill ablaze. Now, in the finals, she got another shot, this time with her original pro, Mark. You could even say this was his do-over as much as hers! He even threw in the move that caused his injury just to prove they could pull it off. Salsa really is Paige’s dance, and with Mark, she turns up the heat even more. They held nothing back, delivering a fiery performance that bumped her score from a 24 to a 29.

The actress had a rocky time with her Paso during “Rock Week.” The judges agreed it wasn’t her best, and so did she. So, she was thrilled to get a second chance. With Carrie Ann Inaba’s help, they worked on adding power and shaping and encouraging Grey to take up more space with every move. She clearly took every piece of feedback to heart. This time, there was no comparison—we saw a woman fully in control, delivering all the attack and confidence the Paso demands. Their first attempt scored a 20, but this time, they earned full marks and a standing ovation from Len. A true redemption!

We wouldn’t say “James Bond” theme songs are the best fit for the cha-cha, which is probably why it was the only one in week three's themed week. But the duo made the most of it! Luckily, they got another chance to tackle the style with more fitting music. They came out with fire, showing everyone they could cha-cha like pros. Along with near-flawless footwork, they brought the rhythm and that flirtatious, playful energy we love in this dance. It scored them top marks and definitely made us think they could win that year. Still, we have to admit Charli and Mark’s jive made for some serious competition!

The rumba is one of the toughest dances, even for trained dancers. Carrie Ann felt the Pussycat Doll struggled to fully let go during her first try. You could almost see her overthinking the steps. While no one could deny that Scherzinger has the moves, she really stepped up her game the second time, fully embodying the character. Not only was the rumba technically flawless, but we could also believe in the love story unfolding before us. They boosted their score to a 28, even earning a 10 from Bruno. Perhaps it might have been a perfect score if it hadn’t been for that darn lift!

This was a big night for redemption dances from Ariana and Pasha to Jason and Daniella and, honestly, everyone else, too. This final proved that this season could be anyone’s for the taking. Still, we couldn’t overlook Xochitl’s stunning foxtrot. She originally danced one in week 3, where she lost some balance and still needed polishing—it was early days! This time, you could see how Gomez’s connection with the music had evolved, allowing it to guide her through the dance. She brought so much grace and elegance, making it as smooth as butter. We’d say this was the moment they pulled ahead of the pack once again!

Amber and Derek’s week 3 Charleston was one of the most memorable of the series. It scored 24 and left plenty of room for improvement. Carrie Ann really focused on the details, coaching Amber from being a great performer to a phenomenal one. The first time we saw this dance, we were amazed by how fast and content-heavy it was—it looked impeccable! While we may not have the judges’ eye for clean footwork and perfect synchronicity, it was clear they had completely upped their game. If we thought their first performance deserved a ten, this time, we needed all the judges’ paddles combined just to match what it truly deserved!

Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas nearly quickstepped their way to the mirrorball after an incredible redemption dance. But we’d say Jordan and Lindsay leveled the playing field with one of the coolest Charlestons we’ve ever seen. Last time, Len felt there wasn’t enough Charleston in their Charleston, so this was their chance to prove they could keep their suave chic while delivering what the head judge wanted. Both were dealing with injuries going into the finals, which makes their performance even more impressive. It was high-energy, high-content, and high-stakes. Len definitely got what he asked for and more! Do we even need to mention what they scored? (40, in case you were wondering!)

Name a more iconic “Disney Night” Paso than this! It was a great choice for the finals, especially against power couple Rumer and Val, who also picked one of their strongest routines for a do-over. Last time, the pair received 9s and 10s, and this time, they were determined to find the hidden treasure of a perfect score. They tackled the routine like cannon fire, attacking each step with power and precision while embodying Captain Jack Sparrow’s adventurous spirit. Len was so excited about their performance that he stood up before it was even his turn to speak. Did X mark the spot for those extra tens? What do you think?

Did you ever watch a redemption dance that made you reconsider who deserved the mirrorball? Let us know in the comments!