He won a bronze medal at the 2018 winter Olympics, but tonight Adam Rippon walked away with a mirrorball trophy on Dancing With the Stars.
DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 26 CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/2cOabudmmI
— hayley | ADAM AND JENNA WON (@fishuponadwts) May 22, 2018
On Monday night’s finale, the out Olympian was crowned the champion of the 26th season of ABC’s dancing competition series, an all-athlete edition that pitted Rippon against other sport celebrities like Josh Norman and Tonya Harding.
During the season finale, Rippon and his dancing partner, Jenna Johnson, were tasked with perfecting two types of dances: jazz and freestyle. The couples’ jazz routine received a perfect score from the judges, but Rippon’s freestyle fan dance received a mixed reaction.
So grateful for this whole experience. Can’t wait to dance one more time with Jenna in the finale of @DancingABC ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8VnlVGOoE5
— Adam Rippon (@Adaripp) May 21, 2018
“The Mirrorball has now taken on a new meaning, someone like me is accepted and I feel loved,” Rippon told the audience before his freestyle routine.
Rippon is the first openly gay winner of Dancing With the Stars. Congrats, Adam!