Dancing With The Stars has a new Mirrorball champion.
Laurie Hernandez and her partner, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, were crowned the winners of Season 23 Tuesday night (Nov. 22) after a two-hour Christmas themed finale broadcast live from The Grove in Los Angeles. The pair--front runners for the entire season on the ABC dance competition-- sealed the deal after nailing their fusion dance of foxtrot/argentine tango mixed with athletics lifts and Hernandez's dazzling personality.
The dance received a perfect 40 out of 40 points with a rave from judge Len Goodman, who said it was a "fabulous dance to close a fabulous season." Bruno Tonioli praised the Old Bridge, New Jersey Olympic Champion--who has more than earned her nickname as "The Human Emoji"--as a "fantastic dancer...and performer." Hernandez is the youngest competitor in the history of the show to win the coveted Mirrorball trophy.