The dancing competition series Dancing With The Stars crowned its 28th Mirror Ball Champion. Hannah Brown, famous for her time on The Bachelorette, took first place with her partner, Alan Bersten.
Tensions were high during the season finale as the final four competed for the title of Mirror Ball Champ. Fifth Harmony singer Ally Brooke, country star Lauren Alaina, and All That comedian Kel Mitchell joined Brown in the ballroom to relive their best dances of the season and a final performance - a freestyle dance of their choice. After a tumultuous season with plenty of tears and friction between famed professional judge Carrie Ann Inaba, Brown came out on top. Fans are in agreement, though - Kel Mitchell should have taken home first place.
Despite ranking third in average judges' scores, Brown spent much of the dance competition being vulnerable about her emotions, often letting them get the best of her. For many newcomers watching Dancing With The Stars, this may have been endearing, but to long-time fans of the show, Brown's over-dramatic tendencies were distracting and a bit annoying, for lack of a better word.
One competitor that was laser-focused on the competition was Mitchell. Week after week, Mitchell took to the dance floor with esteem, tapping into the feedback he received from his partner, Witney Carson, and the three professional judges, including Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli. Unlike Brown, who often seemed to struggle with the challenges of being a competitor on Dancing With The Stars, Mitchell always approached his dances with humility and dignity.
Often, Mitchell's video packages demonstrated his selflessness and desire to entertain. Brown, on the other hand, would often refer back to her very personal struggle to find love or how hard the show's pro judges were being on her specifically. Their feedback wasn't for cruelties sake - they were only trying to help Brown succeed, as she had yet to receive a perfect score. In fact, she didn't receive a perfect score until the season finale of the show.
Mitchell, on the other hand, made consistent improvements week over week, earning a perfect score during the ninth week of competition. Regardless of the judges' scores and fans voting, it wasn't enough to put Mitchell on top. It appears as though Brown's highlight reel of misfortune plucked at the heartstrings of enough viewers to vote and, ultimately, crown her the winner. While he certainly put his best foot forward during the show's 28th season, it wasn't enough for Mitchell to take the Mirror Ball home for himself. Many fans of the show can at least agree on one thing: at least Sean Spicer didn't come in first.
Dancing With The Stars will return in 2020.