And the winner of season 21 of "Dancing With The Stars" is...Bindi Irwin!
After 11 intense and exciting weeks, the 17-year-old animal activist has proved that she is not only the most popular contestant on the show, but the most deserving of the iconic Mirrorball Trophy. Backstreet Boy Nick Carter and his partner, Sharna Burgess, came in second place while American hero Alek Skarlatos and his partner, Lindsay Arnold, came in third. All three finalists truly deserved to be in the finale, and it was hard to tell who was going to come out on top as they all excelled during their final routines. In the end, Irwin had been the most consistent, and she was the clear champion.
Week after week, Irwin performed nearly flawless routines that kept her at the top of the leaderboard throughout the entire competition. Her positive energy, kind heart and upbeat personality really won over America and all of her hard work paid off in the end.
Irwin dedicated the entire season to her father, the late Steve Irwin, and thanks to her amazing partner, Derek Hough, she was able to win the trophy for him, too. Every single night, Hough expressed how much he loved having Irwin in his life and the two always found a way to perform such emotional and moving routines as tribute to her dad. From the moment they met, he knew she would change the way he looked at the world forever and he was more than happy to have been able to take her under his wing.
"Over 200 celebrities have been on this show and I can honestly say, for me at least, I have never seen anybody quite like Bindi," Hough said in the pre-taped segment before their final dance. "One thing that Bindi has taught me is that you can have struggle, but you can struggle with joy. Whenever it feels too hard, she looks at that challenge in the face, and she smiles at it. And to be around that has been such a privilege."
The judges were also huge fans of Irwin throughout the entire competition, always complimenting her on her endless energy and ability to light up the room. They would praise her week after week for the way she always gave it her all and would thank her for bringing them along with her on this magical journey.
"I could not think of a better way, a more perfect way to end this season," judge Carrie Ann Inaba told the duo following their incredible last dance. "Season 21 has been my favorite by far and it's because of you, Bindi Irwin. From the moment you walked into this theater, you lit us all up and you've been the beacon of light and hope for everyone, every time you dance."
Irwin's final dance was yet another flawless routine and it was the perfect way to end the season. When Bindi found out during tonight's finale that she won the Mirrorball Trophy, she couldn't contain her excitement, and her contagious smile somehow grew even larger.
"Thank you so much for everything. I can't believe I'm here," Irwin screamed in excitement. "And thank you for changing my life!"
