Dancing Into the Finale

Spoiler Alert! If you like waiting on the edge of your seat until the end of the episode to learn who is going forward, don't read this yet. Watch the episode, then come back.

Also, I am not a professional dancer or critic. I may have opinions that defer from more experienced viewers and that's okay.

Dancing With The Stars has been, dare I say, dancing their way into the hearts of millions for almost 20 years, with season 31-33 being on Disney+. 394 stars have competed over the years against one another and themselves to win the Mirrorball Trophy, now renamed the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy since the unfortunate passing of one of the original judges last April.

Rest in peace, Len Goodman. You are sorely missed.

This season has been a rollercoaster with heart-tugging and mouth dropping dances, plus some of the most unhinged moments I think I've ever seen in the history of the show. With the finale on the horizon for the remaining five celebrities, it is truly anyone's game.

The Remaining Stars

From a cast of 13 stars, five are on their way to what promises to be a packed and intense three hour finale. (So excited for all the returning dancers and freestyles!)

Let's talk about the remaining stars!

Danny Amendola, NFL wide receiver (Partner: Witney Carson)

Total Judges Score: 321

My Favorite Dance: Argentine Tango to "Poison" by RAVN (Week 6: Halloween Nightmares Night)

Danny is considered this season's dark horse, especially since Week 4: Dedication Night. He surprised me with that contemporary, opening his heart wide in tribute to his late coach, Mike Leech and he hasn't stopped shocking me yet. His lifts have been attempted by many on social media, including his fellow cast members.

My thoughts: I think Danny may be a contender for third place, unless he blows our minds with this finale. To me, I feel he's struggling to completely let himself loose and be more fluid when the dances call for it. There are moments when I see it, like in his contemporary, and he's getting better. Hopefully with the freestyle coming up and not having to worry about strict rules, we'll see Danny at his best.

Joey Graziadei, star of The Bachelor (Partner: Jenna Johnson)

Total Judges Score: 346

My Favorite Dance: Foxtrot to "I Won't Dance" by Erin Boheme feat. District 78 (Week 8: Semifinals)

He has constantly been praised for his musicality and his acting skills, which Joey's leaned into for dances such as his creepy Halloween dance and his sweet tribute to his fiancé on Dedication Night. Joey has definitely come into his own as a dancer.

My thoughts: Joey is definitely a contender for first, though I could see him placing second. Honestly, I don't see much he has to work on and I have no doubts we are going to a spectacular freestyle from him.

Chandler Kinney, actress & singer (Partner: Brandon Armstrong)

Total Judges Score: 352

My Favorite Dance: Viennese Waltz to "Secret" by Denmark + Winter (Week 6: Halloween Nightmares Night)

This girl has been through it this season, with weird and confusing scores for some of her dances. (Nope, not just an opinion, because you should look at the faces of certain judges when certain scores were called out.) But Chandler takes in stride and focuses on trying to be better. I love that this has this season for her has been about finding her love for dancing again.

My thoughts: Chandler could very well win this season, but she has some big contenders nipping at her heels. If she doesn't win, I can see her placing second. Either way, I think her partner, Brandon will already be ecstatic since this is his first time in the finale as a pro. I'll be very surprised if she places lower than that and much like Joey, I expect great things from her next week.

Ilona Maher, Olympic rugby player (Partner: Alan Bersten)

Total Judges Score: 312

My Favorite Dance: Viennese Waltz to "Golden Hour" by JVKE (Week 8: Semifinals)

Ilona has been a fan favorite since the first time she stepped out on the dance floor, being an inspiration and example for all. We've seen her triumph and sob on national television, and for me, she is on of the most relatable on this show. She has shown time and time again that muscles doesn't mean you can't be in touch with your feminine side; being a woman means balancing power and gracefulness.

My thoughts: You might have know from a previous piece how much I look up to this girl, and I'm not the only one. She's my favorite celebrity from this season's cast, and it would be absolutely amazing if she won! (Really, do you think she could win?) Yeah, I do. I've seen people with lower scores win their seasons - looking at you, Bobby Bones - because that's the impact fans can have on the show. That's why they're always urging people to vote because you could not only save your favorites, but also lead them to victory.

Stephen Nedoroscik, Olympic artistic gymnast (Partner: Rylee Arnold)

Total Judges Score: 321

My Favorite Dance: Viennese Waltz to "Glimpse of Us" by Joji (Week 7: 500th Episode - inspired by S31's Charlie D'Amelio & Mark Ballas)

Rylee Arnold came on as a pro last season, and her two partners are like day and night. Stephen's charm and chemistry with Rylee are a joy to watch, even if it gets away from him sometimes. As mentioned by Rylee, Stephen seems to do better with the ballroom dances requiring a strong upper body frame thanks to his gymnastics skills.

My thoughts: I think he'll end up in 5th place, but from the way both Stephen and Rylee fell to floor after finding out they were making it to the finale, I think they are happy to be dancing together next week. (Like Brandon, this is Rylee's first time in the finale.) I won't be surprised if his freestyle involves something with the pommel horse and/or a dance where he is in frame since that where Stephen has done well.

So based on all of this, here is my final guess to how it's going to go down next week.

1st place - Chandler & Brandon

2nd place - Joey & Jenna

3rd/4th place - Danny & Witney, Ilona & Alan (Honestly, this could either way. I know I would love for Ilona to get 3rd, but we'll see.)

5th place - Stephen & Rylee

Other Favorite Dances

There were so many other dances I am so happy I got to see as someone staring at her phone, wishing I could have seen some of these in person. Here are some of my favorites that are not of the final five, including pro and troupe dances, and not in any particular order.

Week 1: Premiere's opening number

Week 5: Disney Night - Team Goofs (Chandler & Brandon, Ilona & Alan, Jenn & Sasha, Joey & Jenna) Freestyle to "I2I" from "A Goofy Movie"

Dwight & Daniella's Week 1: Premiere's Salsa to "This Is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan

Week 7: 500th Episodes' opening number

Week 4: Dedication Night - Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert's Contemporary to "Beautiful Things (Acoustic) by Benson Boone

Dwight & Daniella's Week 6: Halloween Nightmare's Contemporary to "Ring Around the Rosie" by District 78

Is This My Favorite Season?

No, not by any means, and I don't really think the finale will change that.

While I laughed at a lot of the unfiltered expressions, moments, and comments, there was some that made me concerned to say the least.

Carrie Ann's judging was questionable, especially when it came to Chandler & Brandon. I don't know if Carrie Ann was keeping in mind Chandler's previous dance experience and was harder on Chandler because of that or what. Then Halloween night, she was giving out 10 like they were going out of style. And apparently, it might lead to her getting replace if we are going to pay the rumors and theories any mind.

Then Hair Metal Night was just...who thought GENE SIMMONS was a good idea as a guest judge? He was incredibly pervy to almost every woman, hypocritical, and borderline racist. (Phaedra was definitely not the best dancer, but she did not deserve a 5.)

But thankfully, there were a lot of great dances and hilarious moments to offset some of those and hopefully this finale ends this season on a higher note.

So what do we have to look forward to?

Of course, we have three hours, so there is going to be a lot happening. If per the course, the five remaining couples will have two dances - usually a redemption dance and a freestyle. Last season's winners, Xochitl and Val are coming back, presumably in the same fashion as Charli and Mark, with a dance and to present the trophy. Plus, Derek Hough and Mark Ballas have joined forces, and we know they have to have something incredible up their sleeve.

The season finale will go live on Disney+ on Tuesday November 26 at 8 PM EST. And a note, if you absolutely can't stand commercials, aren't planning on voting, and are fine with staying up a little later, if you wait about 15-30 minutes (from past experience), the replay will be available on Disney+.

If you do plan on voting though, which I completely recommend if you have a favorite, you will have to go through some commercial breaks.

I hope you enjoyed this little piece about the recent season of DWTS. It was a nice of change of pace to what I've been writing recently and I do really like the show.