Summary (tl;dr)

Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and her professional partner Ezra Sosa concluded their journey on Dancing with the Stars Season 34, finishing in third place, with a highlight being a surprise finale performance joined by singer Normani.

Essential Background

Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) is a popular American dance competition television series where celebrities are paired with professional dancers to compete for the coveted Mirrorball trophy. Jordan Chiles is an acclaimed Olympic artistic gymnast, known for her performances with Team USA. Ezra Sosa is a professional dancer who has been part of DWTS for several seasons, transitioning from troupe dancer to professional. Normani, a well-known singer, gained fame as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony and previously competed on DWTS in Season 24, where she also placed third.

The Full Story

The Season 34 finale of Dancing with the Stars, which aired in late November 2025, saw Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and her partner Ezra Sosa become fan favorites and ultimately secure third place. Their journey on the show was marked by consistent performances and a strong partnership, with Chiles often praised for her athletic control and improvement in musical timing. The most significant moment occurred during their freestyle routine in the finale when Normani made a surprise appearance, joining Chiles and Sosa on the dance floor to perform to Normani's hit single "Motivation". This unexpected collaboration electrified the audience and judges, with Carrie Ann Inaba calling it "the best freestyle ever in 20 seasons". Chiles had previously expressed her admiration for Normani, viewing her as a "big sister" and noting Normani's own past success on the show.

Why It Matters

The trending keywords reflect the culmination of a highly-followed season of Dancing with the Stars, highlighting the crossover appeal of Olympic athletes like Jordan Chiles into mainstream entertainment. The emotional connection between Chiles and her partner Ezra Sosa, coupled with Normani's surprise guest appearance, resonated deeply with viewers, celebrating both athletic dedication and the power of friendship and mentorship in the entertainment world. This moment also brought a sense of nostalgia, connecting current and past DWTS seasons through Normani's return, while solidifying Chiles' and Sosa's memorable impact on the show.

Geographic Location

• CBS Television City, Fairfax District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (filming and live broadcast of Dancing with the Stars Season 34 finale)