Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy are the new champions of Dancing With the Stars season 32. The two talented dancers wowed the judges and audiences with their incredible performances throughout the season, and their hard work and dedication paid off in the unforgettable finale on Tuesday.
The 17-year-old Marvel star and her professional partner were overjoyed after being crowned the winners of the esteemed Len Goodman Memorial Mirrorball trophy. In an interview with ET’s Denny Directo, Gomez expressed her excitement, exclaiming, “Winning the coveted Len Goodman Memorial Mirrorball trophy feels great! Each week, we’ve had so much fun and every time that we’ve had a great dance, and we felt great about it, we had this great feeling. And that’s the same feeling that we’re having here, you know? It’s just the same thing — but times, like, 10!”
It’s no surprise that Gomez and Chmerkovskiy emerged as frontrunners throughout the season, wowing audiences with their flawless routines. The pair received perfect scores on six separate occasions, including their final four dances in a row. Their partnership and camaraderie were also celebrated both online and in the ballroom, as fans showered them with love and praise.
Reflecting on their journey, Gomez and Chmerkovskiy expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support they received. “We’ve had so much love, from everyone, to the crew and to the cast and then people outside of just fans, you know? It’s just been so much love,” Gomez shared. “And that is what made me really love this whole experience.”
Chmerkovskiy also echoed her sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the love and camaraderie they experienced throughout the season. “I think that, by far, Trumps anything else,” he said. “You know, the trophy is cool, [but it] is the love that we received.”
As for the monumental trophy itself, Gomez humorously admitted that she hadn’t yet found a suitable spot for it in her home. “It’s so heavy! I don’t know where it’s gonna sit,” she said. “I’ve probably got it [going] on my drawer, near [my] cat.”
Notably, this victory marked Chmerkovskiy’s third win on Dancing With the Stars, but it held an even greater significance as it was the first win since the Mirrorball trophy was renamed in honor of the late Len Goodman. The beloved head judge of DWTS passed away in April, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of ballroom dance.
For Chmerkovskiy, winning the coveted trophy in Goodman’s honor was a particularly poignant and meaningful experience. “It’s a huge honor,” Chmerkovskiy shared. “Len was a champion of ballroom dance…. he was very much pushing ballroom dance to the forefront of the show and therefore into millions of households. And so, for me to hold this trophy in his honor, this season in particular, I was very much motivated by the idea of passing my ballroom education and torch to this young, incredible talent.”
He also expressed his belief that Goodman would have been proud of their achievement, stating, “And I think that Len would have been proud of that.”
As the curtain falls on yet another thrilling season of Dancing With the Stars, the stunning performances, contagious joy, and heartwarming camaraderie of the champions, Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy, will forever be etched in the memories of fans and audiences around the world.
The competition, the drama, and the celebratory moments have once again reminded us why Dancing With the Stars continues to capture the hearts of millions, and we eagerly anticipate the next season’s whirlwind of dazzling performances, emotional journeys, and unforgettable victories.
