We have a winner!
Dancing With the Stars season 26 is in the books and the mirrorball trophy now has a home among the many medals and trophies in one competitor’s home.
So, who won Dancing With the Stars season 26?
First, let’s recap.
The competition — much shorter than other seasons of the hit ABC show — was comprised entirely of athletes, but only three made it all the way to the end: controversial figure skater Tonya Harding, fellow Olympic skater Adam Rippon and NFL star Josh Norman.
Harding’s final freestyle dance with partner Sasha Farber earned high praise from both the audience and judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.
Rippon, on the other hand, did a freestyle jazz and avant garde number that earned him lukewarm reviews from the judges.
But that didn’t matter, because Rippon still came out on top to win Dancing With the Stars season 26.
Tonya Harding is ‘open’ to doing more television
Harding might not have won Dancing With the Stars season 26, but her biggest fans — husband Joseph Jens Price and son Gordon — were still proud.
Gordon “said I was beautiful, he was proud of me, and he said, ‘I’m sorry, mommy, that you didn’t win.’ I told him that that’s okay. The best part is the journey,” Harding said after the show.
Harding was a fan favorite on the show, a sharp departure from her controversial past. She also experienced physical changes during her dancing days, telling reporters that she lost “a lot” of weight during the competition.
“I found myself again knowing that I can achieve such greatness doing something that I love to do,” Harding added. “You don’t ever give up on yourself. I always keep going no matter what it is.”
So, what’s next for Harding? She said she’s “open” to more reality television offers, but first, “I’m going to go home and relax, and have a glass of wine,” she joked.
