Dancing with the Stars 2025 season ended with one of the most dramatic wins the show has ever seen. After a season filled with viral dances and emotional moments, Robert Irwin and his pro partner, Witney Carson, walked away with the Mirrorball Trophy. The studio erupted with confetti and cheers, but many viewers, especially younger ones, were left shocked for days afterward, debating whether the best couple won. 

Since its debut in 2005, Dancing With the Stars has paired celebrities from completely different backgrounds, like actors, athletes, and influencers, with professionally trained ballroom dancers who have spent their whole lives mastering dance. While the celebrities usually start off the season with no formal dance experience, the professionals bring their years of competition and technique to the floor. This contrast is what makes the show so compelling, as viewers get to watch people from completely different worlds and learn to trust and grow together

According to Entertainment Tonight, the finale pulled in the show’s highest live audience since 2020. The last three routines felt more like a music video premiere than a reality TV. The finalists blended contemporary dances with stunts and lifts that amazed audiences.

For many people, the finale raised a bigger question than just “Who deserved to win?” Many fans who praise Alix Earle were all over the internet hoping she would win. Many were very upset and disappointed that she didn’t. 

Senior Ava Tzour said that the night felt like a huge turning point for what dance competitions could be.

 “Everything felt so cinematic,” Tzour said. “It wasn’t just choreography; it was the storytelling of it.”

The finale used advanced technology as well. One performance used augmented-reality flames that wrapped around the dance floor, while another projected 3D graphics behind the dancers. Some people felt this was great and others said it distracted from the dancing itself. 

CHS graduate Donya Nader noticed how much the show has changed since the original seasons. 

“The enhancements looked cool, but it was overwhelming. It’s almost too realistic and dramatic now. I miss the days when it was just raw dancing. But at the same time, you can tell how much pressure the contestants are under to make each routine amazing,” Nader said. 

Both agreed that the emotional side of the finale is what stood out to them the most. This year’s contestant backstories focused on mental health and the stress of performing. 

“Those stories made the finale feel deeper, it wasn’t just about who could do the best lift. You could tell how much they wanted to prove something to themselves,” Tzour said.

Nader added that the finale reminded her why dance still matters. 

“People forget how powerful performing can be. Even with all the effects, the parts that stuck with me were when it was just the dancers and the music. It made everything feel more real,” said Nader. 

While some fans were still arguing over the results of the finale, both agreed that the show is going to continue to evolve from here.

 “I think the next season is going to be even bigger, DWTS knows how to keep people watching, and it’s working,” Tzour said.

Nader had a more reflective take. 

“The world’s moving fast, but the people who learn to keep up are the ones who are going to go farther,” Nader said.

Whether you celebrated the winner or were disappointed in the end, the 2025 finale made one thing clear. Dance, and the show itself, is changing, and everyone is trying to keep up.