Shawn Johnson Wins 'Dancing with the Stars'!

Olympian Shawn Johnson and her pro partner Mark Ballas became newest championship duo of "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday night, triumphing over Gilles Marini with Cheryl Burke and Melissa Rycroft with Tony Dovolani in the season eight finale!

Johnson, at 17 the youngest-ever competitor on "DWTS," was breathless from excitement while claiming the coveted mirrorball trophy. "This has been the best experience ever," she exhaled.

After the judges' scores were combined with viewer votes to determine the winner, host Tom Bergeron declared the event "our closest-ever finale" -- with less than one percent difference separating champion Shawn from second-place finisher Gilles.

For his part, the French actor was graceful in defeat, saying, "I'm so happy for Shawn and Mark. [Cheryl and I] love them so much." Former "Bachelor" star Melissa thanked the fans for their support after placing third.

The three finalists each performed one last dance for a final judges' score, which was added to their scores from the previous evening's two dances. For their final routines, all three duos scored a perfect 30. Gilles and Cheryl mesmerized with the Argentine tango (finishing with 88 points out of 90); Shawn and Mark shook things up with cha cha cha (also for a total of 88 out of 90); and Melissa and Tony unleashed a sizzling samba (finishing with 86 out of 90).

In another impacful turn of events, Anna Demidova secured her spot as a pro dancer on next season's "Dancing" cast. She edged out Mayo Alanen.

Also on the finale, the entire season-eight cast -- including the likes of Steve-O, Denise Richards and Steve "the Woz" Wozniak -- all took one last spin on the dance floor. Plus, comedian and former contestant Jeffrey Ross roasted the gang, and Lady Gaga raised eye-brows performing a couple of her hits.

Published 5/20/09 by

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SOOOO HOT

Anonymous 5/27/09 Reply
Gilles Marini and Cheryl Burke were the most consistently excellent couple of the season, so I can see why many people think they deserved to win. Scores do not carry over from week to week on this show, however. Thus, Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas...

Anonymous 5/22/09 Reply
i thought she was terrific.who is the other olympain to win, i must know this cause dancing with the stars is one of my favs.

dianne_b102000 5/21/09 Reply
Shawn doesn't have the finess or class to win. She should be embarrassed she won. He ends up being a popularity contest. Too bad...

Anonymous 5/21/09 Reply
way to go Shawn! All three of her last dances were picture perfect - when she did her last cha-cha she had the style of one of the professionals! Her legs, her stance, everything was perfect. She really is a 10

Anonymous 5/20/09 Reply
im soo happy that shawn and mark won! they deserved it they were great!!! i agree with anonymous about Jeffrey Ross. he was cruel and i didn't enjoy his stand up at all but its his job. even though we don't like it. you know he has to do his job....

KnicholeT 5/20/09 Reply
I need to voice my thoughts on Jeffrey Ross last night I found him to be rude, cruel and not funny I could not believe that the people at Dancing with the stars could have found him entertaining. When the cameras showed the audience The people...

Anonymous 5/20/09 Reply
- I agree 100%. I felt that Jeffrey Ross as the downer of the night. It was an event for happiness and the conclusion of hard work, not for some moron who enjoys harassing people to get up there. (No wonder he was voted off 1st). I thought the network...
  
  Anonymous 5/21/09
Gilles & Cheryl should of won!:'(

NeverLetGo 5/20/09 Reply
Yesssssssssssssssssssssss!

Johnson's freestyle did it for me. The kid is good.

Anonymous 5/20/09 Reply
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

NeverLetGo 5/20/09 Reply