Katelyn Cummins has been crowned the champion of Dancing With The Stars 2026, lifting the coveted Glitterball Trophy after a dramatic and emotional grand finale.
The Rose of Tralee winner and her professional partner Leonardo Lini triumphed following a night of standout performances that saw them top the judges’ leaderboard and ultimately win over viewers at home. Their victory capped off what Cummins described as an extraordinary year.
Reacting after being announced as the winner, an emotional Cummins said: “This is just not real! What a past seven months I've had. Winning Rose of Tralee, this, two massive wins in a year, I could never have imagined this would be my life. I am just so happy I got to share it with Leonardo.”
The live final began with an energetic opening number featuring the finalists, professional dancers and judging panel performing to Vanessa Amorosi’s “Absolutely Everybody.” Hosts Jennifer Zamparelli and Laura Fox then welcomed the four remaining contestants back to the ballroom for one last night of competition.
Heading into the finale, Eric Roberts, Tolü Makay, Paudie Moloney and Katelyn Cummins were all still in the running for the Glitterball Trophy. Each couple had two chances to impress: first by revisiting a routine chosen by the judges, and then by performing an all-out freestyle showdance.
Roberts and his partner Arianna Favaro opened the competitive dances with a lively reprise of their Charleston to “Happy” by Derek Martin. The performance set the tone for the night and earned high praise from the judges. Oti Mabuse called it “a fantastic” start to the final, while Arthur Gourounlian declared that Roberts was “born to do this Charleston.” Judges Brian Redmond and Karen Byrne were equally enthusiastic, awarding the couple a perfect score of 40.
Next up were singer Tolü Makay and professional dancer Maciej Zięba, who returned to their American Smooth set to Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need.” The judges commended Makay for the journey she had taken during the competition. Mabuse described her as the kind of contestant the show celebrates, praising her transformation from complete beginner to confident performer. The routine earned another perfect score of 40.
Paudie Moloney and Laura Nolan followed with a revisit of their Quickstep to Declan Nerney’s “Stop the World and Let Me Off.” The judges highlighted Moloney’s determination and growth throughout the series, with Gourounlian remarking that he had shown age is no barrier on the dancefloor. The pair scored 28 points.
Cummins and Lini closed the judges’ choice round by bringing back their Movie Week American Smooth to Rachel Zegler’s “Whistle While You Work.” The routine proved to be one of the standout performances of the evening. Mabuse described it as “perfection”, while Redmond called it “dance perfection.” Byrne praised the overall production value, and the couple were rewarded with another perfect 40.
After the first round, the finalists returned to the floor for their freestyle showdances. Roberts and Favaro kicked things off with an energetic routine to “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, earning yet another perfect score from the judges.
Makay and Zięba followed with a high-energy performance to “Kill the Lights” by Alex Newell, Jess Glynne, DJ Cassidy and Nile Rodgers, impressing the panel and scoring 37 points.
Moloney and Nolan delivered a heartfelt showdance to Andy Williams’ “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” Judges praised his enthusiasm and entertainment value, and the couple finished their final dance with 29 points.
The last performance of the night belonged to Cummins and Lini, who delivered an emotional freestyle to “Ordinary” by Alex Warren. The routine earned glowing feedback from the judges, with Mabuse saying Cummins had been exceptional throughout the competition. Gourounlian admitted the performance “took his breath away,” while Byrne described it as one of those rare routines that felt “everything and more.” The dance secured the pair a third perfect score of the night.
With the judges’ scores combined, Roberts and Favaro finished level at the top with Cummins and Lini on 80 points, while Makay and Zięba followed with 77, and Moloney and Nolan ended on 57.
However, the final result rested in the hands of viewers at home. When the public vote was revealed, it was Katelyn Cummins and Leonardo Lini who emerged victorious, bringing the 2026 season of Dancing With The Stars to a memorable close and marking another milestone in what has already been a remarkable year for the newly crowned champion.
