Top 10 Best Dancing with the Stars Finale Dances

MsMojo

Save the last dance. Welcome toMsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the times “Dancing with the Stars” finalists proved they deserved their shot at the mirrorball with their redemption dances.

Transcript

00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today, we're counting down our picks for the times dancing with

00:10the stars finalists proved they deserve their shot at the mirror ball with their redemption

00:14dances.

00:15These performance had to have taken place during the finals, and we're skipping freestyles,

00:19as you can check out our list on those after this.

00:28Number 10.

00:29Mel B and Maxim Shmirkovsky's Cha-Cha-Cha.

00:32Season 5.

00:33This Spice Girl first danced the Cha-Cha-Cha in the very first week, scoring eights from

00:38all the judges.

00:39Pretty impressive, but still room for improvement.

00:52The singer already had much of the Cha-Cha spirit down, so it was really about honing

00:56her technique.

01:05This time, she showcased everything she had learned over the past few weeks while keeping

01:09the dance style's character intact and sprinkling plenty of her own unique spice over it too.

01:15The judges noticed her improvement, even if they had some feedback to share.

01:19Still, the results spoke for themselves.

01:21She went from a score of 24 to 28.

01:34Number 9.

01:35Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater's Viennese Waltz.

01:38Season 24.

01:39Back in week two, the former NFL running back and his partner took on the Viennese Waltz,

01:44scoring straight eights.

01:45A solid start for early in the season.

01:56But when they revisited the dance in the finals, it was clear just how much he'd grown.

02:08Jennings had transformed into a confident dancer.

02:11His technique was praised, but it was his complete immersion in the performance that

02:15stood out.

02:16This wasn't just a routine, it was a full-on show.

02:19It was almost like watching a new person.

02:34If any dance showed he was mirrorball material, it was this one.

02:37It also earned the couple their first perfect score.

02:52Number 8.

02:53Paige Van Zandt and Mark Ballas' Salsa.

02:56Season 22.

02:57The last time Paige danced the Salsa was in week two, dancing with Alan Burstyn after

03:01Ballas got hurt.

03:03And that performance was so hot it set the rumor mill ablaze.

03:15Now in the finals, she got another shot, this time with her original pro, Mark.

03:20You could even say that this was his do-over as much as hers.

03:23He even threw in the move that caused his injury just to prove they could pull it off.

03:38Salsa really is Paige's dance, and with Mark, she turns up the heat even more.

03:43They held nothing back, delivering a fiery performance that bumped her score from a 24

03:47to a 29.

03:59Number 7.

04:00Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough's Paso Doble.

04:03Season 11.

04:04The actress had a rocky time with her Paso during Rock Week.

04:07The judges agreed it wasn't her best, and so did she.

04:21So she was thrilled to get a second chance.

04:24With Carrie Ann Inaba's help, they worked on adding power and shaping, and encouraging

04:28Grey to take up more space with every move.

04:31She clearly took every piece of feedback to heart.

04:34This time, there was no comparison.

04:45We saw a woman fully in control, delivering all the attack and confidence the Paso demands.

04:50Their first attempt scored a 20, but this time they earned full marks and a standing

04:54ovation from Len.

04:56A true redemption.

05:09Number 6.

05:10Gabby Windy and Val Shmierkowski's Cha-Cha-Cha.

05:13Season 31.

05:14We wouldn't say James Bond theme songs are the best fit for the Cha-Cha-Cha, which is

05:18probably why it was the only one in Week 3's themed week.

05:21The duo made the most of it.

05:33Luckily they got another chance to tackle the style with more fitting music.

05:49They came out with fire, showing everyone they could cha-cha like pros.

05:54Along with near flawless footwork, they brought the rhythm and that flirtatious, playful energy

05:58we love in this dance.

06:11It scored them top marks, and definitely made us think they could win that year.

06:15Still, we have to admit Charlie and Mark's jive made for some serious competition.

06:29Number 5.

06:30Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough's Rumba.

06:33Season 10.

06:34The Rumba is one of the toughest dances, even for trained dancers.

06:38Carrie-Anne felt the Pussycat Dolls struggled to fully let go during her first try.

06:42You can almost see her overthinking the steps.

07:01While no one could deny that Scherzinger has the moves, she really stepped up her game

07:05the second time, fully embodying the character.

07:08Not only was the Rumba technically flawless, but we could also believe in the love story

07:13unfolding before us.

07:23They boosted their score to a 28, even earning a 10 from Bruno.

07:27Perhaps it might have been a perfect score if it hadn't been for that darn lift.

07:43Number 4.

07:44Xochitl Gomez and Val Shmierkowski's Foxtrot.

07:47Season 32.

07:48This was a big night for redemption dances, from Ariana and Pasha to Jason and Daniella,

07:53and honestly, everyone else too.

08:04This final proved that this season could be anyone's for the taking.

08:07Still, we couldn't overlook Xochitl's stunning Foxtrot.

08:23She originally danced one in week 3, where she lost some balance and still needed polishing.

08:27It was early days.

08:28This time, you could see how Gomez's connection with the music had evolved, allowing it to

08:32guide her through the dance.

08:46She brought so much grace and elegance, making it as smooth as butter.

08:50We'd say this was the moment they pulled ahead of the pack once again.

09:03Number 3.

09:04Amber Riley and Derek Hough's Charleston.

09:06Season 17.

09:08Amber and Derek's week 3 Charleston was one of the most memorable of the series.

09:12It scored 24 and left plenty of room for improvement.

09:24Carrie-Anne really focused on the details, coaching Amber from being a great performer

09:28to a phenomenal one.

09:30The first time we saw this dance, we were amazed by how fast and content-heavy it was.

09:35It looked impeccable.

09:46While we may not have the judge's eye for clean footwork and perfect synchronicity,

09:50it was clear they had completely upped their game.

09:53If we thought their first performance deserved a 10, this time we needed all the judges'

09:57battles combined just to match what it truly deserved.

10:11Number 2.

10:12Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold's Charleston.

10:15Season 25.

10:16Lindsay Sterling and Mark Ballas nearly quick-stepped their way to the mirror ball after an incredible

10:21redemption dance.

10:22But we'd say Jordan and Lindsay leveled the playing field with one of the coolest

10:25Charlestons we've ever seen.

10:38Last time, Len felt there wasn't enough Charleston in their Charleston, so this was

10:42their chance to prove they could keep their suave chic while delivering what the head

10:46judge wanted.

10:47Both were dealing with injuries going into the finals, which makes their performance

10:51even more impressive.

10:52It was high energy, high content, and high stakes.

11:07Len definitely got what he asked for and more.

11:10Do we even need to mention what they scored?

11:1240, in case you were wondering.

11:41Number 1.

11:42Riker Lynch and Alison Holker's Paso Doble.

11:44Season 20.

11:45Name a more iconic Disney Night Paso than this.

11:58It was a great choice for the finals, especially against power couple Rumor and Val, who also

12:03picked one of their strongest routines for a do-over.

12:06This time, the pair received nines and tens, and this time they were determined to find

12:10the hidden treasure of a perfect score.

12:23They tackled the routine like cannon fire, attacking each step with power and precision

12:28while embodying Captain Jack Sparrow's adventurous spirit.

12:31Len was so excited about their performance that he stood up before it was even his turn

12:35to speak.

12:37Did X mark the spot for those extra tens?

12:38What do you think?

12:53Did you ever watch a redemption dance that made you reconsider who deserved the mirror

12:56ball?

12:57Let us know in the comments.

13:27And don't forget to subscribe for more videos like this one.

13:28Thanks for watching.

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