(Spoiler alert: Please do not read on if you haven’t watched Tuesday’s episode of “Dancing With the Stars”)
Bindi Irwin was crowned the winner of “Dancing With the Stars” Season 21 on Tuesday.
The daughter of “Crocodile Hunter” star Steve Irwin beat out former Backstreet Boys member Nic
Partnered with Derek Hough, Irwin was an early fan favorite, and an emotional dance tribute to her late father earned her rave reviews on the first half of the the reality competition series’ finale on Monday.
More flawless dances by the Australian teenager secured her victor
Overcome with emotion after she was crowned the winner, Irwin thanked everyone for “changing my life.”
“Part of the joy of ‘Dancing With the Stars’ is discovering new people,” executive producer Rob Wade said of the show’s casting process in an interview with TheWrap ahead of the finale. “I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t have known who Bindi Irwin was, but I’m sure she’s gathered a lot of new fans.”
As always, a large chunk of the finale was spent looking back at the highlights and most memorable performances of the season, along with a rather uncomfortable mashup of host Tom Bergeron singing to the tune of “Safety Dance.”
Despite being eliminated early on, Chaka Khan was back to perform her disco hit “I’m Every Woman” as the action kept frenetically jumping between the ABC studio and The Grove.
Kim Zolciak-Biermann had been forced to retire from the show after a blood clot caused a mini-stroke but she proved she was back to fighting form by returning to the show to perform “I Dream Of Jeannie” with the her partner Tony Dovolani.
Other familiar faces included jockey Victor Espinoza, Gary Busey and Andy Grammer.
See video of Bindi and Derek’s dance below.