He
has been doing The Carlton for more than 20 years and Alfonso Ribeiro
can now add a more prestigious dance title to his resume.
The
43-year-old actor wept with joy as he and partner Witney Carson were
crowned champions on Tuesday night of the 19th season of Dancing With
The Stars.
After
hugging Witney during rapturous applause from the studio audience, an
emotional Alfonso said: 'I cannot believe this. I've wanted it forever.
My god, I don't even know what to say.'
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New champion:
Alfonso Ribeiro held the mirror ball trophy up high on Tuesday night
after winning the 19th season of Dancing With The Stars
His dance partner said: 'He's one of the most hard working people I've ever met.'
Turning to the Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Star, she added: 'You deserve it.'
The pair were then hoisted in the air by the professional dancers as they clutched the mirror ball trophy.
Victory hoist: Alfonso and his pro partner were lifted up in the air by their fellow dancers after winning
Big hug: The winners embraced after all their hard work paid off with the win
One more time: Alfonso and Witney performed The Carlton one more time on the show
Dynamic duo: Alfonso and Witney held their mirror ball tropies with host Tom Bergeron after winning
Alfonso,
who has battled a back injury during Dancing With The Stars, beat off
strong competition from Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson, 17, and
Pretty Little Liars actress Janel Parrish, 26, during the two-hour
finale.
Sadie,
who finished in second place with partner Mark Ballas, was gracious in
defeat and said she was pleased Alfonso had been victorious.
'This
has been an amazing experience and I just want to say I'm so thankful
to God who has brought me this far in the completion,' she said.
They did it! Alfonso and Witney hugged after winning the show
First win: Witney was promoted to a professional partner last season and won her first mirror ball trophy
'I
feel like I really accomplished what I wanted to accomplish on this
show and I'm so glad that it was Alfonso. He deserves it,' the teenager
said.
A tearful Janel, who finished third, said she had already won her trophy – in the shape of dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy.
'I'm honestly just so lucky to be standing here next to him,' she said.
Good sport: Sadie Robertson was gracious in defeat and congratulated Alfonso on his hard won victory
Teen talent: Sadie came in with no prior dancing experience but reached the final with Mark Ballas
Turning to Val, she added: 'You were my trophy in the entire season so I'm happy.'
After
competing for viewers' votes on Monday night, the final three
contestants took part in a 24-hour dance fusion challenge to win extra
points from the judges.
Len Goodman described Sadie as the 'Cinderella story' following her samba and quickstep fusion with Mark.
Third place: Janel Parrish was tearful after coming in third but thankful for her season with Valentin Chmerkovskiy
'You
came to the ball, having never danced, you met the handsome Prince
Charming and you're leaving a dancing princess,' he said.
Sadie burst into tears after receiving full marks from the judges, taking their total score to 118 out of 120.
Janel,
who suffered a rib injury during rehearsals on Monday, was also
emotional after receiving 40 out of 40 for her foxtrot and paso doble
fusion with Val.
The duo, whose total score came to 117, were described as 'dynamic, elegant and artistic' by Carrie Ann Inaba.
They have chemistry: Janel got emotional as she wrapped up her season wtih Val
Alfonso and Witney were the last to compete in the fusion challenge, mixing a cha cha with an Argentine tango.
They
also received full marks from the judges, taking their total score to a
perfect 120, and knocking over the mirror ball trophy in the process.
Host Tom Bergeron was left to pick up the glitter ball after it got caught on Witney's dress.
He joked that they had caused the trophy to faint.
'It swooned,' he said.
Stars and partners: The finalists performed one last time before the results were announced
Although
YouTube star Bethany Mota, 19, narrowly missed out on a place in
Tuesday's finale with partner Derek Hough, viewers voted to see the pair
perform their freestyle routine for a second time.
The
duo also took to the dance floor for a repeat performance of their own
series favourite– a high intensity paso doble – and joined the finalists
in a tribute to the Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.
Alfonso,
Sadie, Janel and Bethany all showed off their rapping skills as they
re-worked the show's theme tune with lyrics about Dancing With The
Stars.
Winning form: Witney and Alfonso showed their winning form during their last dance
The
final four shared the floor with a string of familiar faces as former
contestants returned to perform some of their best-loved dances.
While
Randy Couture and Karina Smirnoff danced a foxtrot to The Way You Look
Tonight, Betsy Johnson performed her trademark splits during a cha cha
to Material Girl with Tony Dovolani.
Jonathan Bennett and Allison Holker took to the floor for a jazz routine to Back In Time by Pitbull.
Past contestants: Lea Thompson and Randy Couture were back for the finale after being eliminated earlier
They
were also joined by a surprise guest in the shape of Allison's husband
and fellow So You Think You Can Dance star Stephen 'tWitch' Boss.
Viewers
also saw the return of Michael Waltrip and Emma Slater, who performed
their NASCAR-themed cha cha to Born To Be Wild, and Antonio Sabato Jr.
and Cheryl Burke who danced a cha cha to Tonight I'm Loving You.
Tommy
Chong, 76, and Peta Murgatroyd treated fans to a reprise of their cha
cha to Drop It Like It's Hot, with Cheech Marin and judge Len Goodman
bouncing along in a convertible car.
The judges: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Julianne Hough and Bruno Tonioli
He's back: Tommy Chong returned for another dance with pro partner Peta Murgatroyd
Lea Thompson and Artem Chigvintsev were also back, with a jive to the Hall And Oates song Maneater.
Viewers
enjoyed musical performances from Nick Jonas, who performed his single
Jealous in front of selfie-snapping fans, and Jennifer Hudson who sang
Go All Night with Gorgon City.
Meghan
Trainor also performed a medley of her hits All About That Bass and
Lips are Movin', while judge Bruno Tonioli was presented with a cake to
mark his 59th birthday.
Hit song: Meghan Trainor performed her hit song All About That Bass during the finale
Musical guest: Nick Jonas performed his new song Jealos for the studio audience
Powerful performance: Jennifer Hudson sang Go All Night and showed some leg in a short dress
'Usually we try to avoid giving him caffeine or sugar, but today seems special,' Bergeron quipped.
Winner Alfonso announced that he would be joining the Dancing With The Stars professionals on the show's tour.
He added that Janel would also be making an appearance and said they were trying to persuade Sadie to join them.
The tour kicks off in Niagra Falls on December 27.
The finalists: Sadie, Alfonso and Janel were shown in an Instagram snap before the finale
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