Olympian Shawn Johnson Wins Dancing With the Stars

Us Magazine - May 20, 2009 7:41 AM PDT
Story photo: Olympian Shawn Johnson Wins Dancing With the StarsABC/KELSEY MCNEALUs Magazine
Shawn Johnson has a new trophy to add to her collection of Olympic medals!

The 17-year-old gymnast won Dancing With the Stars Tuesday night. She and professional dance partner Mark Ballas beat out fellow finalists Gilles Marini and Melissa Rycroft on the ABC show's season finale.

See photos of Shawn Johnson and the other finalists throughout the season!

"I've learned I can be more than just a gymnast!" Johnson, the third Olympian in eight seasons to win the mirrorball prize, told Usmagazine.com. "I've really grown as a person. This has really changed my life. This whole thing has been the time of my life -- just an amazing experience."

All three finalists performed one last dance, each earning a perfect score of 30 from the judges. After viewer votes were combined with the judges' scores, Rycroft was dismissed first.

See photos of the outrageous costumes from DWTS of seasons past.

Show host Tom Bergeron said "less than one percent" separated Johnson and runner-up Marini, who was paired with pro dancer Cheryl Burke.

Johnson and Ballas were completely shocked when they were announced as winners.

"I was blown away -- absolutely floored!" Ballas, who hit the ground when they found out they won, told Us.

See photos of this season's DWTS contestants rehearsing.

Johnson adds: "Especially when they said less than one percent! I could not believe it!"

Why did they deserve the top prize?

"Shawn has improved every week, [and] she's really peaked over the last three weeks with the samba, the tango -- they all showed consistent improvement," Ballas told Us. "Then we came out and gave everything we had to the freestyle. We are so honored and want to tell the fans thank you for voting for us."


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comments 1-10 of 31  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • JuLieLaFlm
    I thought Gilles should have won - it's harder for a man to look elegant & to get a routine down pat. Shawn should have skipped a few meals. She might have been precise with her routines , but she is too short & chunky to look the part of a dancer. Melissa just looked like a desperate skank, seeking her 15 minutes of fame. She should try being a stripper. Are her boobs
    report abuseposted July 6, 2009 2:41 AM PDT
  • jersey
    Shawn was just a good of choice as any - she worked for it, her dancing was precise, and the choregraphy was awesome. I think it was a toss up between all 3. So i'm happy for her. That being said, i can't help but notice that she actually gained (rather than lost) weight throughout the season... she's very thick for someone who dances 6 hours + a day... she should skip a
    report abuseposted May 20, 2009 12:22 PM PDT
  • michelle w
    HEY prrt1 JEALOUS MUCH?
    report abuseposted May 20, 2009 11:17 AM PDT
  • awchew
    Should have been between Gilles and Lil Kim. the rest were losers, Shawn didn't deserve it. She still hasn't got rhythm
    report abuseposted May 20, 2009 9:44 AM PDT
  • Tinkerbell
    I tried to vote for Melissa and I kept getting a busy signal. Then I received a message saying all my calls were used on this phone number. I hope all the voters got thru. Anyway, I'm happy for Shawn, she was the most improved. I don't like Mark though...he's got an attitude problem. He is always rolling his eyes and giving dirty looks.
    report abuseposted May 20, 2009 9:39 AM PDT
  • Apache1
    First of all, Chunk, stop advertising that your an native american man for and advertising for a black dating service. And as mean spritied as you are you need a dating service. I wanted Gilles to win also, but he didn't so what? She's a cute girl who worked hard to win.
    report abuseposted May 20, 2009 9:21 AM PDT
  • mykindalover
    Some people posting on here are just sick. Shawn is 17 years old, gets some damn manners. She won fair enough, people voted. They all were great dancers. As far as them giving the prize to Mark, get real? And quit %@!*#ing about how much the poor girl weighs - did anyone care when she won at the Olympics? Melissa looks extremely thin, and if she had a cracked rib, she seemed to do a lot?
    report abuseposted May 20, 2009 9:07 AM PDT
  • Tera N
    I love Melissa and was rooting for her to win in the beginning and yes she is an awesome dancer but some her routines where not choreographed as well as others and I think that hurt her. Gilles - super HOT and SEXY but his ballroom dances weren't as good as his latin. One ballroom - the last one he did with Len's tips was great though. Congrats, Shawn!!
    report abuseposted May 20, 2009 8:40 AM PDT
  • Tera N
    OMG-I cannot believe some of the things being said about Shawn. Just because you don't think she should have won doesn't mean you have to down right cruel! Shawn deserved to win. The past few weeks she has truly mastered both ballroom and latin. She did a freestyle that showcased how far she's come in dance tech. Gilles went for sexy and Melissa cheerleading hip hop.
    report abuseposted May 20, 2009 8:36 AM PDT
  • ME
    I voted for Shawn because I thought that she was the person that came the furthest in the competetion. She also out-danced the other two couples in the finals and she deserved to win. I think that some of you need to stop being so critical of Shawn and take a look at your own self. Maybe your jealous that you are not talented and can't come close to her accomplishments.
    report abuseposted May 20, 2009 8:35 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 31  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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