Melissa Rycroft was crowned champion of the
celebrity television competition "Dancing With the Stars" on Tuesday,
propelled by perfect scores from the judges and fan votes which spelled victory
for the television host.
Rycroft, a former Dallas Cowboys
cheerleader who was also a contestant on the reality dating show "The
Bachelor," danced with partner Tony Dovolani and dazzled the show's judges
on Monday with a samba and a freestyle dance, both of which earned perfect 10
scores from all three judges.
The 15th season of the hit ABC dance
competition brought back 13 former top competitors for a special
"all-star" edition and concluded with its first-ever all female
finale.
Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, who was
third after Monday's show, was the season's runner-up, while "General
Hospital" star Kelly Monaco placed third. Johnson and Rycroft both
competed in the show's eighth season, but Johnson won while Rycroft came in
third.
"Melissa thought she'd only get to
week four," said host Tom Bergeron before presenting Rycroft and Dovolani
with a special version of the show's mirror ball trophy at the conclusion of
the live broadcast.
The dancers were ecstatic, and seemingly
surprised, at their victory. Both were hoisted aloft by their fellow
contestants as Bergeron proclaimed "What a feel-good win."
All three finalists performed one final
dance on the live broadcast, which they were given less than an hour to
rehearse.
Rycroft's samba scored a 28.5 from the
judges. Their ratings for the couples' final three dances on Monday and Tuesday
were combined with audience votes after Monday's show to determine the winner.
Other contestants from the season,
including Bristol Palin, daughter of former Republican vice presidential
nominee Sarah Palin, "Cheers" star Kirstie Alley, NSYNC singer Joey
Fatone, actress Pamela Anderson and singer Drew Lachey appeared and performed
on the finale, along with other previously eliminated contestants.
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