She's not stick thin or blonde like
the previous champ Kellie Pickler - but that didn't stop Amber Riley
winning Dancing With The Stars.
Holding
the coveted mirror ball trophy aloft, the Glee star gave an emotional
shout-out to ladies of all creeds, colours and body shapes.
'I
want to let women of all sizes out there know that you can do whatever
you put your mind to,' bellowed the actress who has gained the highest
cumulative score of any contestant this season.
Jumping for joy: Amber Riley let out a yell as it was announced she was the new Dancing With The Stars champion
Overjoyed: Amber Riley and Derek Hough celebrated after being crowned season 17 champions of Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday
'It doesn't matter what size you are,
what colour you are…you can do whatever, whatever, whatever, you put
your mind to,' shouted Riley, 27, who has been impressing fans and
judges all season with her hard-working tenacity, flexibility and
rhythm.
After achieving two
perfect scores on Monday, Riley sealed the deal with another flawless
30 after a 'fusion dance' with her Emmy-winning partner Derek Hough.
Her samba and quickstep blend to Jackie Wilson's (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher had the judges on their feet.
She's thrilled: Amber clutched the Mirror Ball Trophy as confettie fell
Tense: The three couples listened intently as they waited to discover who had carried the day
Making it all worthwhile: Derek had danced through the pain barrier and was now champion once more
Champions: After achieving two perfect scores on
Monday, Riley sealed the deal with another flawless 30 after a 'fusion
dance' with her Emmy-winning partner Derek
Inspiration: 'It doesn't matter what size you
are, what colour you are…you can do whatever, whatever, whatever, you
put your mind to,' shouted Riley
In shock: Amber couldn't believe she had snapped up the coveted mirror ball trophy ahead of Jack Osbourne and Corbin Bleu
'This
is supposed to be fusion but you guys just invented a whole new dance.
You seamlessly and effortlessly went back and forth between the two
styles,' praised Carrie Ann Inaba while Len Goodman called
them 'bedazzling'.
'You, my
little sausage, are a fantastic dancer,' the British expert told Riley,
while her family sobbed with happiness in the audience.
'I counted every beat, and you did not put a foot wrong…incredible,' said flamboyant judge Bruno Tonioli.
Ecstatic: Amber celebrated with the judges and host Brooke Burke Charvet following her win
Flying high: Amber celebrated her win with her former competitors surrounding her
Affectionate: Amber and Derek have bonded throughout their time on the show together
Fancy footwork: In the last element of competition, the couples performed a new routine as part of a 24 Hour Fusion Challenge
Body confident: Amber thanks to her hours of dancing for the competition and looked fit and toned during the finale
Before her triumph the singer/philanthropist had been bawling her eyes out backstage.
'I'm a stronger person than I thought I was...and I can do things I never thought I could,' she blubbered.
Riley's victory left Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff in second place and Jack Osbourne and Cheryl Burke in third.
Pure Glee: Amber Riley was crowned the winner of the 17th season of Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday
In shock! The Glee star couldn't believe she had been awarded the trophy, ahead of competitors Corbin Bleu and Jack Osbourne
Victorious: Amber held the mirror ball trophy aloft as she celebrated with her dance partner Derek Hough
Joyful: Amber was so overcome with emotion she
spontaneously swept Derek off his feet, leaving the professional dancer
looking shocked
'I've
learned I'm definitely not a better dancer than my sister…we now tie,'
joked Osbourne, while pointing to his 'Fashion Police' sibling Kelly in
the front row.
Cheered
on by his mother Sharon, the multiple sclerosis sufferer was resigned
to his loss: 'I thought I was going to be out in week five and here I am
in third place.
'I'll take that,' smiled the 28-year-old TV presenter, whose father is 'Prince of Darkness' Ozzy.
Tense: Amber and Derek were tense as they waited for the final results to be read out
Sweet relief: While Amber battled injury
throughout the competition, she eventually emerged victorious and
couldn't have been more delighted
Who cares about playing it cool: Derek and Amber
couldn't contain their joy and relief as they were announced the
winners of the 17th season of Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday
Never let go: Amber clutched tightly to her trophy following her triumphant win
The youngest contestant High School Musical star Corbin Bleu, 24, took defeat like a man.
'I've achieved everything I wanted and more,' he gushed while hugging his partner tightly.
Riley's win was preceded by two hours
of spandex-stretching medleys from previous contestants, judges and
resident dance troupes.
The winning moves: Amber and Derek showed off
the dance moves that made them champions as they took to the stage in
front of an enthusiastic audience
Fierce: Amber strutted her stuff, assisted by Derek, as she took to the dancefloor during Tuesday's finale
Flawless: 'I counted every beat, and you did not put a foot wrong…incredible,' said flamboyant judge Bruno Tonioli
Eliminated
in week seven pint-sized Jersey Shore girl Snooki kicked her heals for a
cheerleader-themed hop with her partner Sasha Farber.
Spanish heartthrob Enrique Iglesias put on an imposing a laser show for his synthpop-anthem Heart Attack.
After a public vote on Twitter Riley
and Hough were asked to repeat their raunchy Country and Western
freestyle from Monday's show.
No hard feelings: The duo were cheered on by their competitors who all looked delighted for them
On top of the world: Amber was hoisted on to the shoulders of some backing dancers as she celebrated her win
Norwegian
comedy two-piece Ylvis played their infuriatingly ubiquitous Internet
hit The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?). Dressed in bizarre furry suits the
contestants flipped onto the stage to take part in the
somewhat hallucinogenic spectacle.
'I
was not expecting to be dressed in a full fox onesie,' joked Bleu, who
has been topless for several of his dances in the last 11 weeks.
Platinum country pop trio Lady Antebellum dropped by to strum their banjo-heavy single Compass.
Emotional: Amber got emotional as she talked about her experiences on the show
In raptures: The judging panel of Carrie Ann
Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli couldn't contain their enthusiasm
for the performances of Amber and Derek
Emotional: Things all got a bit too much for Amber earlier and she needed a hug from her partner during rehearsals
Hard work: Hours of hard work went into helping Amber and Derek take home the mirror ball trophy
Innumerable
recaps of the 17th Season filled the two-hour show - including a
generous montage of fan favourite Bill Nye (The Science Guy) who was
eliminated in week three.
Now
recovered from injury the 57-year-old mechanical engineer and TV
educator executed a dramatic dance – with a little help from a gymnastic
stunt double.
Week Five reject Christina Milian
danced a gothic-themed tango with Pretty Little Liars actor Brant
Daugherty and their partners Peta Murgatroyd and Mark Ballas.
Bittersweet: Corbin Bleu and his professional dance partner Karina Smirnoff congratulated Amber and Derek on their victory
It's all over: Corbn and Karina were determined to look be happy for the winners despite losing out
Scientology defector Leah Remini dressed in scarlet lace for a final foray with her partner Tony Dovolani.
Eliminated in fourth place, comic Bill Engvall was back again for a festive Cuban number with his British mentor Emma Slater.
Last came the final dance offs for
the top three contestants. Given less than 24 hours to perfect their
moves for the 'fusion round' the remaining couples were under extra
pressure.
Big success: All of the couples were invited back to take part in the thrilling series finale
Upset: Karina couldn't hide the tears despite receiving a smooch from hunky Corbin
Positive: Corbin insisted 'I've achieved everything I wanted and more' after his narrow defeat
Smitten: Corbin appeared quite taken with Karina who is 11 years his senior
Combining a fluid foxtrot with a stoically rhythmical cha cha Bleu and Smirnoff were trying 'not to gyrate too much'.
'Len doesn't like gyrating,' joked Bleu in rehearsals.
After a smooth start, and Bleu ripping his shirt open, the ending of their routine drifted into confusion.
Beaten but unbowed: Jack Osbourne's family seemed thrilled their boy had made it so far
Support: Jack Osbourne was supported by his sister Kelly, mother Sharon and wife Lisa as he competed in the SWTS finale
Disappointed: Jack hid his disappointment well as he and Cheryl Burke discovered they placed third
'I
got lost in the moment with Karina and forgot what I was doing,'
admitted Bleu, who appears to have developed a little crush on
his sexy partner, who is 11 years his senior.
Goodman accused Bleu of 'messing up a little bit' in the cha cha while praising him for the gliding foxtrot at the start.
'It was one of your best foxtrots but you lost it on the cha cha,' agreed Inaba who gave them a nine.
Proud: Sharon and Lisa gave Jack a well deserved hug as he finished third
Unexpected: Jack admitted he thought he would be eliminated in the fifth week and was shocked to be in the final
Brave: The MS sufferer made it to the final three in the 17th season of DWTS
Competition: 'I've learned I’m definitely not a
better dancer than my sister…we now tie,' joked Osbourne, in reference
to Kelly who came third in 2009
With two other nines their total score was 27.
Fusing a salsa with a paso doble it was Jack Osbourne's first ever attempt at salsa.
The rehearsal was filled with laughs,
swearing and camaraderie: 'Just like every other day,' he joked, while
calling his partner 'a great friend'.
Third place: Jack and Cheryl's efforts saw them finish in third place behind Amber and Corbin
Close family: While Jack's daughter Pearl was
too young to attend, the other main women in his life were all at the
final to cheer him on
Emotional: Sharon Osbourne couldn't control herself as she cheered Jack on
'She's like family to me now,' said the Adrenaline Junkie host.
Wearing glitter and red Osbourne's bottom-spanking routine incorporated some flamboyant twists and holds.
'I didn't know you could be so tough…yet so playful and cheeky,' cheered Tonioli.
Joyous: The former contestants who were all voted off earlier this season showed their joy at Amber's win
Inaba called him 'a hair flat-footed on the salsa'.
'Until last night I thought salsa was something you ate,' he laughed.
Goodman said he had gained 'the most pleasure' from watching Osbourne this season.
Dirty joke: Before her final dance potty-mouthed
mum-of-one Snooki couldn't help but crack a dirty joke with statuesque
host Brooke Burke-Charvet
All grown up: Snooki joked, 'I'm still a hot mess but I'm like a mom hot mess not that college party girl anymore'
Work it: Jersey Shore star Snooki took to the floor for one final dance
'The
others have climbed a hill but you've climbed a mountain,' he added,
noting the other dancers' advantage over the M.S. patient.
Three nines gave them 27 points.
Valerie
Harper was 'supposed to be dead in March' from brain cancer but she
returned to the ballroom for another knees up with her partner Tristan
MacManus.
Final foray: Scientology defector Leah Remini dressed in scarlet lace for a final foray with her partner Tony Dovolani
Memorable: Leah and Tony put on a showstopping performance for their final dance
He's back: Bill Engvall was back again for a festive Cuban number with his British mentor Emma Slater
So close: Fourth place finishers Bill and Emma narrowly missed out on a place in the final
Comeback kid: Bill Nye made a comeback to perform with Tyne Stecklein despite his previous injury
'I'm looking at extending my life, we all should be just living every day,' said The Mary Tyler Moore actress, 74.
The Rhoda star swirled to a live performance of Wonderful World from two-time Grammy winner Colbie Caillat.
Glittering on a podium Caillat, 28, later sang her emotional single Hold On.
All that glitters: Elizabeth Berkley glittered in a sparkly dress as she took to the stage one final time
No chance: Despite their skills, the couple were eliminated early in the competition
Triumphant: Valerie Harper was 'supposed to be
dead in March' from brain cancer but she returned to the ballroom for
another knees up with her partner Tristan MacManus
Looking forward: 'I'm looking at extending my
life, we all should be just living every day,' said The Mary Tyler Moore
actress, 74
Before her final dance
potty-mouthed mum-of-one Snooki couldn't help but crack a dirty joke
with statuesque host Brooke Burke-Charvet.
'I've missed your boobs and your body,' she told the presenter, who has recently recovered from thyroid cancer.
'I'm
still a hot mess but I'm like a mom hot mess not that college party
girl anymore,' said the 26-year-old before embarking on a final routine
with four male dance pros.
Country strong: Platinum country pop trio Lady Antebellum dropped by to strum their banjo-heavy single Compass
Spanish heartthrob: Enrique Iglesias put on an imposing a laser show for his synthpop-anthem Heart Attack
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