'Dancing With the Stars' Season 33: From TikTok challenges to tearful tributes, these moments stole the show

The curtain has closed on an unforgettable season! Season 33 of Dancing With the Stars delivered emotional highs, viral dance moves and breathtaking routines that kept fans hooked week after week.

From heartfelt tributes to showstopping leg lifts, the ballroom became a stage for remarkable triumphs and personal growth, ultimately crowning Joey Graziadei and pro Jenna Johnson as the winners of the Len Goodman mirror ball trophy.

Here’s a look back at some of the moments that made this season memorable.

Hayley Erbert Hough’s triumphant return

One of the most emotional highlights came during the Oct. 15 episode, when judge Derek Hough joined his wife, Hayley Erbert Hough, for a heartfelt performance to Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things.”

The dance marked her return to the stage following a life-threatening cranial hematoma diagnosed in December 2023. For the DWTS judge, it was a night “I’ll never forget.”

“Dancing with her again on that stage was nothing short of a miracle,” Hough told Yahoo Entertainment. “Sharing that moment, and now being able to do it every night on [the “DWTS Live 2025 Tour”] is a gift I’ll cherish forever.”

A viral leg pull

Danny Amendola and pro Witney Carson quickly went viral for a jaw-dropping move during their Oct. 15 contemporary routine. Known as the “Operation Archer,” the intricate maneuver involved Amendola pulling Carson off the floor by her leg. It was a “breakthrough moment” in their partnership, Carson told Yahoo Entertainment. “The reactions and encouragement online gave us the strength to keep going!” The pair later took to social media to offer an instructional guide on how to master the move.

Fans on social media couldn’t get enough as they flooded TikTok with attempts to replicate the challenging move — some were successful, others not so much. (We’re looking at you, Nick Cannon!)

Anna Delvey’s ‘nothing’ comment shocks the ballroom

Leave it to Anna Delvey to deliver one of the season’s most memorable moments. After her elimination on the Sept. 24 episode, host Julianne Hough asked what the convicted scam artist would take away from the experience. Without missing a beat, Delvey responded: “Nothing.”

The blunt remark went viral, sparking a frenzy of reactions on social media. Delvey, who participated in the competition while under house arrest (with court permission), later reflected on the surprising backlash her casting had received.

“I didn’t expect my casting to generate this sort of backlash,” she admitted to Yahoo Entertainment post-elimination. “I figured there would be a few negative comments and stories — then everybody would move on. Everyone told me to tune out the noise and not listen to the haters.”

As for whether her time on the show inspired her to keep dancing, Delvey quipped, “Yes, but I think it’s safe to assume it won’t be the cha-cha or quickstep.”

Stephen’s glasses drama adds flair to the tango

Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik faced a wardrobe malfunction on the Nov. 19 episode when his glasses were knocked off mid-tango — hanging on his face for a few steps before taking a dive across the floor. Despite the hiccup, Nedoroscik and his partner charmed viewers with their commitment.

“We practiced every rehearsal with his glasses on,” his partner noted on TikTok. “And no issues… until the live performance. But glasses are part of Stephen — that’s who he is.”

Chandler Kinney receives 1st perfect scores of the season

Chandler Kinney and partner Brandon Armstrong earned the first perfect scores on both their main dance and cha-cha challenge on the same night. Paying homage to Season 16’s routine by Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough, the duo delivered two mesmerizing performances that wowed the judges.

Reginald VelJohnson’s tearful foxtrot

Actor Reginald VelJohnson brought the audience and judges to tears during his Oct. 7 performance on Soul Train night.

“This is making me so emotional,” judge Carrie Ann Inaba told VelJohnson. “There’s something so sweet and innocent when you dance. I wish I could give you 10s and 10s for bringing us such joy.”

Ilona Maher’s power moves

Rugby player Ilona Maher proved her strength, routinely lifting partner Alan Bersten into the air and, at times, on her shoulders, creating moments that fans on TikTok reveled in week after week.

Graziadei’s samba sparks a TikTok challenge

Graziadei and Johnson’s samba to a song from Tarzan during Disney Night was more than just a performance — it inspired a TikTok challenge. Fans, including DWTS pros Brandon and Brylee Armstrong, recreated the moves, adding to the viral sensation.

Things got goofy

On Oct. 22, Team Goofs — led by Maher and featuring Graziadei, Kinney and Jenn Tran — delivered an electrifying performance to “I2I” from A Goofy Movie. The team wowed judges with their energy and unity on Disney Night, earning all nines for their effort.