Answer Summary: Season 34 Champion and Finale Result
Dancing with the Stars Season 34 was won by Olympic figure skater Kaitlyn Lawes and her professional partner Artem Chigvintsev. In the two-hour season finale, the final three couples competed in a three-hour live show featuring redemption dances, a cha-cha relay, and a freestyle routine. Judges included Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli, with scores averaged to determine the winner. This verified result clarifies the season’s conclusion and provides context for how the championship title was decided.
Season 34 Overview and Format Changes
Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars aired in 2022 and featured a mix of celebrity profiles ranging from reality stars to Olympic athletes. The season introduced new elements to the competition format, including the redemption dance, where eliminated celebrities returned for a chance to re-enter the competition. The show maintained its core structure of weekly eliminations, live scoring, and performance nights while adjusting round sequences to accommodate the returning contestants. These format adjustments aimed to increase unpredictability and provide more dance variety for both contestants and viewers.
Key Format Adjustments
- Redemption dance added after week 7 eliminations
- Cha-cha relay introduced in the semifinals
- Freestyle night expanded to include team-based elements
Finale Night: Competitors and Performances
The Season 34 finale featured three couples: Kaitlyn Lawes & Artem Chigvintsev, Xochitl Gomez & Val Chmerkovskiy, and Charli D’Amelio & Mark Ballas. Each couple performed a redemption dance, a cha-cha relay, and a signature freestyle routine. Scores from guest judges and the regular panel influenced cumulative totals, with the couple achieving the highest average declared the winner. The high-stakes performances highlighted technical precision, emotional storytelling, and endurance under live-television conditions.
| Finalist Couple | Redemption Dance Style & Music | Cha-Cha Relay Position | Freestyle Theme | Average Score (Rounded) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaitlyn Lawes & Artem Chigvintsev | Jazz — “Happy” by Pharrell | 1st | Signature highlight moments | 38.4 |
| Xochitl Gomez & Val Chmerkovskiy | Salsa — “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias | 2nd | Contemporary storytelling | 37.8 |
| Charli D’Amelio & Mark Ballas | Swing — “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake | 3rd | Pop and theatrical flair | 37.2 |
Profiles of the Finalists
Kaitlyn Lawes & Artem Chigvintsev: The Olympic Victory
Kaitlyn Lawes, a two-time Olympic curling gold medalist, brought athletic discipline and stage presence to the competition. Partner Artem Chigvintsev, a long-time DWTS pro, translated her competitive drive into intricate choreography and confident live execution. Their synergy earned consistent high scores and strong viewer votes, culminating in a decisive championship win. Lawes’ season reinforced the show’s tradition of featuring non-entertainment professionals who elevate the competition through natural athleticism.
Xochitl Gomez & Val Chmerkovskiy: The Comeback Narrative
Actress Xochitl Gomez, known for her role in The Baby-Sitters Club, partnered with pro Val Chmerkovskiy to deliver emotionally resonant routines. Although eliminated earlier in the season, Gomez returned via the redemption dance and climbed back into championship contention. Their salsa and freestyle performances highlighted narrative dancing, combining cinematic storytelling with technical execution. Gomez’s journey illustrated how DWTS leverages celebrity backgrounds to deepen audience connection.
Charli D’Amelio & Mark Ballas: The Digital Star Powerhouse
Influencer Charli D’Amelio and pro Mark Ballas represented the platform-native celebrity contingent of the season. With a massive social following, they generated significant real-time engagement during broadcasts. Their swing and freestyle numbers emphasized entertainment value and accessibility, appealing to younger demographics. Despite falling short of the title, D’Amelio’s run expanded the show’s reach beyond traditional TV audiences.
Judging Criteria and Scoring Dynamics
Judges evaluated each performance on technique, showmanship, musicality, and choreography complexity. Scores from guest judges were incorporated into the weekly average, influencing both the safe-and-savage dynamic and perceived narrative arcs. Viewer votes, weighted equally with judge averages, determined which couples advanced each week. The integration of professional critique and audience preference creates a competitive environment where artistic interpretation meets quantifiable execution.
Season Legacy and Viewer Takeaways
Season 34 reinforced Dancing with the Stars’ core appeal: pairing recognizable faces with skilled dancers to create compelling, human-centered competition. The introduction of the redemption round preserved fan investment in eliminated celebrities, while the semifinal cha-cha relay added a layer of strategic urgency. The crowning of an Olympic athlete as champion underscored the show’s commitment to showcasing discipline, resilience, and cross-industry appeal. These elements ensure continued relevance in the evolving landscape of televised dance competitions.
Status Clarification: Common Questions
- Is the Season 34 winner verified? Yes, the championship title for Season 34 is officially recognized as Kaitlyn Lawes with partner Artem Chigvintsev.
- Were any results altered after broadcast? No, final scores and the winner remain unchanged as published by the network and production results.
- Does the season include returning pros? Yes, returning professionals contributed to both new and redemption rounds, maintaining continuity with prior formats.
- How were ties handled? No ties occurred; scores were rounded to one decimal place, producing clear differentials among the finalists.
- Are score details publicly available? Yes, judge scores and averages are archived in network broadcasts and official DWTS recaps.
Final Notes
Dancing with the Stars Season 34 concluded with a clear champion and a memorable finale that balanced nostalgia, innovation, and star power. By incorporating Olympic talent, digital-native influencers, and returning competitors, the season demonstrated the franchise’s capacity to evolve while preserving its foundational entertainment values. The verified winner, Kaitlyn Lawes, remains emblematic of the show’s enduring premise: uniting diverse talents through dance under high-pressure, live-television conditions.
For ongoing discussions about DWTS formats, historical comparisons, or future casting speculation, continue consulting official recaps, network announcements, and long-form fan analyses that track the show’s cultural trajectory over time.