‘I Was Not Wowed’: Joey Graziadei’s Winning Performance Criticized as He Takes Home ‘DWTS’ Mirrorball

Graziadei’s victory was groundbreaking, becoming the first “The Bachelor” star to win the show. In a tightly contested finale, he and Johnson competed against Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and her partner Alan Bersten for the championship.

Hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough announced the final standings: professional dancer Koko Iwasaki and real estate mogul Mauricio Umansky in fifth place, Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold in fourth. Actress Xochitl Gomez and Brandon Armstrong ranked third.

Graziadei, overwhelmed by the moment, called the experience “unbelievable.” He said as confetti rained down, “Honestly, everyone from the beginning, Ilona, you have an amazing this season. I love you, all the finalists in it, the judges — thank you for bearing with us, I tried my best, I promise!”

However, his victory has ignited a debate, with some fans questioning whether his final performances truly stood out in a season full of exceptional talent.

The finale featured two routines from Graziadei and Johnson. First, their redemption of Cha Cha to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” impressed the judges. Derek Hough reacted, “That was a punctuation mark, letting everybody know that you are a top contender on this show.”

Bruno Tonioli, on the other hand, described their number as “a sparkling jewel of a cha cha cha polished to perfection!” The duo earned a perfect score of 30/30.

For their freestyle routine, Graziadei and Johnson merged Graziadei’s love for tennis with dance, performing to “Canned Heat” by District 78 ft. Jake Simpson. The routine featured illuminated tennis rackets and lifts, showcasing Johnson’s creative choreography.

Hough praised Graziadei as a “true leading man,” adding, “You were show stopping, show stopper this whole season. That just was a perfect moment as well.” Despite the unique concept, the routine received a slightly lower score of 29/30.

While Graziadei’s overall performance was celebrated, fans shared mixed feelings about the freestyle. Several agreed with judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who reportedly found the routine less impressive than expected. “I agree with Carrie Ann. It wasn’t bad…I was just expecting so much more. I was not wowed at all,” one fan shared.

Another wrote, “For once in my entire life I agree with Carrie Ann …. I was underwhelmed. I had high hopes for his freestyle. 😞” Some viewers also described Graziadei and Johnson’s performance as “repetitive.”

Others expressed disappointment in the outcome. “I’m happy that the best male dancer won. But sad, angry, and disappointed that the best dancer of this season did not win,” one viewer commented.

However, others said that Chandler Kinney should have been crowned champion, “chandler deserved to win tbh but I’m still happy for joey, jenna’s choreo was amazing and she deserved it after getting robbed with jojo [sic]!”

Many fans praised Graziadei for his growth, highlighting his transition from a beginner to a top contender. Supporters noted his consistency and technical precision, arguing that his improvement and partnership with Johnson made him a deserving winner.

Some defended his freestyle, highlighting his “on point” technique and arguing that routines don’t need flashy tricks to be impressive.

However, others found the freestyle underwhelming compared to performances by Rylee Arnold and Stephen Nedoroscik.

Ahead of the finale, Graziadei and Johnson looked back on their season together. Graziadei credited Johnson for guiding his growth as a dancer, saying he “could not have done this with anyone else.”

Johnson expressed gratitude for his dedication, calling him the partner she had been looking for in her entire career. “[I’ve] waited to be partnered with somebody like you that is so willing to make my dreams come true with my choreography,” she said.

Graziadei also opened up about his life in Hawaii before his reality TV fame, “I was just a normal guy living in Hawaii, teaching tennis and it’s the thing that makes me feel the most like myself,” he explained.

Although he didn’t achieve the level required to compete at Wimbledon, he saw the “Dancing with the Stars” finale as his opportunity to shine. “This is my chance to have my moment,” he added.

Graziadei and Johnson’s finale performances highlighted their journey, with a flawless Cha Cha showcasing precision and a creative freestyle blending tennis and dance. Together, the routines captured Graziadei’s growth and Johnson’s artistry, delivering a memorable conclusion to their season.