'Dancing With the Stars': Laurie Hernandez and Val Chmerkovskiy Win the Mirror Ball Trophy

By
Stephen Hubbard
November 23, 2016, 2:09 AM ET
2 min read

— -- Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez danced away with the mirror ball trophy Tuesday night in the Christmas-themed Season 23 finale of "Dancing With the Stars," which found the judges passing out nothing but perfect 10s. For the first time in the show’s history, three athletes were finalists for the prize.

In the first half of the show, the top finishers reprised their favorite dances from the fall season. IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe and his partner, Sharna Burgess, revisited the quickstep, and former contestant Andy Grammar sang his hit “Fresh Eyes.”

Former NFL player Calvin Johnson Jr. and Lindsay Arnold cued up the Argentine tango from Latin night as the Eagles’ “Hotel California” played.

Soon-to-be champion Laurie Hernandez danced her trio samba with Val Chmerkovskiy and his brother, Max Chmerkovskiy, with a tear-away wardrobe changes.

It was the 24-hour fusion challenge that would seal the deal. “I wish I could dance like you,” judge Len Goodman said, after Hinchcliffe and Burgess combined the Viennese waltz and the foxtrot.

“I wish I could dance with you!” Julianne Hough echoed.

Hough went on to proclaim Johnson and Arnold’s jive and quickstep combo “the perfect fusion dance,” and Carrie Ann Inaba marveled, “You just have this X factor.”

Bruno Tonioli couldn’t hold back his enthusiasm for Hernandez and Chmerkovskiy’s foxtrot and Argentine tango. “My darling, you really are a spectacular dancer,” he said in praise of the Olympian. “Right on the money, honey!”

Co-host Tom Bergeron revealed that Hernandez will be joining the upcoming "Dancing With the Stars" tour.

As the final scores were tabulated, fourth runner-up Jana Kramer returned to perform her latest country single, “Circles.” Earlier in the night, she and Gleb Savchenko melted the stage with their sexy Argentine tango from Latin night.

In the end, Johnson and Arnold came in third place, with Hinchcliffe and Burgess placing second. Hernandez and Val Chmerkovskiy claimed the top spot.

You can catch the winners Wednesday morning on "Good Morning America" and "The View" on ABC.