5 Shocking Moments & The Full Story Of Joey Graziadei’s Dominant DWTS 2024 Victory

The 2024 *Dancing with the Stars* season delivered one of the most unpredictable and captivating competitions in the show's history, culminating in a spectacular finale that crowned a new champion. On November 26, 2024, after a thrilling Season 33, reality TV star Joey Graziadei and his professional partner Jenna Johnson were officially named the winners, securing the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. The victory was the culmination of a season filled with shocking eliminations, unexpected perfect scores, and a celebrity cast that dominated headlines, proving that the former Bachelor lead had more than just charm—he had serious ballroom skills. The journey of "Team Groovy" was a masterclass in consistent improvement, overcoming early challenges to peak at the perfect moment in the finale. The star-studded Season 33, which ran from its September 17, 2024 premiere, saw the fan-favorite couple beat out a fierce lineup of celebrities, including Olympic athletes, Hollywood veterans, and even a controversial social media personality, making their win all the more significant and a defining moment for the franchise in 2024.

Joey Graziadei: The Bachelor Star's Biography and Road to the Ballroom

The man who went from handing out roses to hoisting the Mirrorball Trophy has a background rooted in sports and television. His journey to reality TV stardom began before his dance shoes were laced up.

• Full Name: Joseph Michael Graziadei
• Born: May 24, 1995
• Age (at time of DWTS win): 29
• Hometown: Collegeville, Pennsylvania
• Occupation: Teaching Tennis Professional, Television Personality
• Reality TV Debut: Runner-up on *The Bachelorette* Season 20 (Charity Lawson's season)
• Starring Role: Lead on *The Bachelor* (Season 28)
• DWTS Partner: Jenna Johnson
• DWTS Season: 33 (2024)
• Key Achievement: Winner of *Dancing with the Stars* Season 33

Joey Graziadei, a Pennsylvania native, first captured the nation's heart with his heartfelt and genuine search for love on *The Bachelorette*. His charm and emotional vulnerability made him a natural choice for the subsequent season of *The Bachelor*. While his time on *The Bachelor* concluded with an engagement to Kelsey Anderson, his next challenge—the demanding world of ballroom dancing—proved to be his greatest competitive success. Graziadei’s background as a teaching tennis pro gave him a foundation of athleticism and discipline, which translated seamlessly into his dance training with professional partner Jenna Johnson.

The Season 33 Cast: A Lineup of Controversies and Champions

Season 33 of *Dancing with the Stars* was arguably one of the most talked-about in recent memory, primarily due to its eclectic and headline-generating cast. The season's success was built on the drama and talent of a truly diverse group of celebrities. The presence of such strong personalities and unexpected dark horses created an environment of high-stakes competition and topical authority.

Notable Celebrities and LSI Entities from DWTS 2024

The 2024 cast was packed with names that provided endless discussion points and stiff competition for the Mirrorball Trophy. This depth of talent elevated the entire season.

• Ilona Maher (Olympic Rugby Player) & Alan Bersten: The powerful runner-up couple, known for their athleticism and high-energy routines.
• Phaedra Parks (Reality Star) & Pasha Pashkov: The *Real Housewives* and *Married to Medicine* star brought her signature Southern charm and a surprising flair for the dramatic dances.
• Tori Spelling (Actress) & Brandon Armstrong: The *Beverly Hills, 90210* icon proved her resilience, exceeding many initial expectations.
• Anna Delvey (Social Media Star) & Ezra Sosa: The former "Soho Grifter" made a controversial appearance, drawing massive media attention to the early weeks of the competition.
• Eric Roberts (Actor) & Koko Iwasaki: The veteran Hollywood star brought a seasoned, if sometimes stiff, presence to the dance floor.
• Danny Amendola (Former NFL Player) & Rylee Arnold: The Super Bowl champion was the season's dark horse, showcasing the typical sports star's transition to surprisingly graceful dancing.
• Stephen Nedoroscik (Olympic Gymnast) & Daniella Karagach: The Olympian's flexibility and strength made him a formidable competitor in the latter half of the season.

The season’s atmosphere was electric, with the judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—frequently praising the high level of technical skill. The competition was so fierce that even early eliminations felt shocking, highlighting the narrow margins between the couples.

The Final Showdown: How Team Groovy Secured the Mirrorball

The Season 33 finale was a three-hour spectacle that saw the remaining couples perform two crucial dances: a "redemption" dance, where they re-performed a style they previously struggled with, and the highly anticipated freestyle. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, affectionately dubbed "Team Groovy," entered the finale as strong contenders, but their performance that night cemented their win.

The Perfect Scores and Defining Moments

The finale was a story of redemption and peak performance for Joey and Jenna. Their journey was marked by consistent improvement, which is often the key to a *DWTS* victory. * The Redemption Dance: For their redemption routine, the couple chose a style that had previously given them trouble. They performed a flawless routine that earned them a perfect score of 30/30 from the judges. This performance was a pivotal moment, showcasing Joey's growth from a reality star with potential to a true dancer. * The Freestyle Masterpiece: The freestyle is the ultimate test, allowing the pros to showcase their celebrity's strengths. Team Groovy’s freestyle was a blend of athleticism, emotion, and intricate choreography. It earned them a near-perfect 29/30, placing them at the top of the leaderboard for the night. * Beating the Athletic Powerhouse: Their closest rivals, Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten, were a powerhouse couple known for their incredible lifts and high-octane routines. Joey and Jenna's emotional connection and technical polish in the final week ultimately swayed the combination of judges' scores and crucial viewer votes over the Olympic rugby player. Joey's victory was a testament to the power of the fan vote and the appeal of the "underdog" who transforms into a champion. His genuine surprise and emotional reaction upon hearing the announcement further endeared him to the audience, solidifying his status as one of the most beloved *DWTS* winners in recent years.

The Legacy of the 2024 Season

The 2024 season of *Dancing with the Stars* will be remembered for its high-caliber dancing, its controversial cast, and the compelling narrative of Joey Graziadei’s transformation. The season proved that the show remains a cultural touchstone, capable of generating massive buzz and launching the careers of its winners into a new stratosphere. The victory of Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson marks Jenna’s second Mirrorball Trophy win, further establishing her as one of the most successful professional dancers in the competition. For Joey, the win is a complete arc of his reality TV journey, proving that the person who couldn't find a lasting rose on one show could find a perfect dance partner and a major championship on another. The chemistry between the partners, the technical difficulty of their routines, and their ability to connect with the audience were the winning formula that secured the Mirrorball Trophy for Season 33. Fans are now eager to see what’s next for the reigning champions and which celebrity will step into the ballroom for the next season of the iconic dance competition. The bar for the next Mirrorball winner has been set incredibly high by Team Groovy.

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