Dancing with the StarsCast Takes PEOPLE on Their Overnight Trip from the Finale toGood Morning America(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jenny Johnson and Joey Graziadei.Photo:ABC

ABC

If the cast ofDancing with the Starscould use anything right now, it’s definitely a nap!

Overnight on Tuesday, Nov. 26, the season 33 finalistswent from the live finale in Los Angelesto the airport, where they boarded a red-eye plane to New York City to appear on Wednesday, Nov. 27’s episode ofGood Morning America.

It was a marathon journey, but not one they traveled alone. The group took PEOPLE behind-the-scenes of their trip in a series of exclusive photos.

After the flight, the cast sat down withGMA’sRobin Roberts,Michael Strahan,George StephanopoulosandLara Spencerwhere they opened up about their experiences on the dance floor and shared their feelings about the show’s outcome.

“It’s still setting in right now, to tell you the truth,” Graziadei said, when asked what went through his mind when he heard he and Johnson had clinched the Mirrorball trophy. “I was just so grateful. We put in so much work this season, everyone did, but it meant the world to obviously get this and end it with an exclamation point.”

01of 09And the Winner Is…ABCMoments after Graziadei and Johnson were announced as winners, the pair posed with their fellow season 33 finalists from the ballroom floor.According toGood Morning America, over the course of 10 weeks, the cast spent 500 hours rehearsing, went through 200 gallons of spray tan and were decked out in costumes that used a million sequins.

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And the Winner Is…

Moments after Graziadei and Johnson were announced as winners, the pair posed with their fellow season 33 finalists from the ballroom floor.

According toGood Morning America, over the course of 10 weeks, the cast spent 500 hours rehearsing, went through 200 gallons of spray tan and were decked out in costumes that used a million sequins.

02of 09Private Plane PicABCPictures continued as the group boarded their flight to New York City — though this time, they changed into comfy sweats.The bond between the competitors has been clear to viewers all season long, as they cheered one another on from the sidelines. But even after the win, the finalists kept their support up, as they smiled and laughed together while on board their plane.

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Private Plane Pic

Pictures continued as the group boarded their flight to New York City — though this time, they changed into comfy sweats.

The bond between the competitors has been clear to viewers all season long, as they cheered one another on from the sidelines. But even after the win, the finalists kept their support up, as they smiled and laughed together while on board their plane.

03of 09Elevator AnticsABC/Paula LoboHow manyDancing with the Starsfinalists can you get into an elevator? Turns out, all of them!Here, the group wave to PEOPLE as they arrive atGMA’s Times Square studios.

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Elevator Antics

ABC/Paula Lobo

How manyDancing with the Starsfinalists can you get into an elevator? Turns out, all of them!

Here, the group wave to PEOPLE as they arrive atGMA’s Times Square studios.

04of 09Mirrorball in HandABC/Paula LoboGraziadei, seen here backstage atGMAwith his suitcase in hand, made sure to bring that Mirrorball trophy with him.A staple ofDWTS’since the beginning, the prize was renamed The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy back in season 32 in honor and memory of former head judgeLen Goodman, whodied from bone cancer in April 2023 at the age of 78.

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Mirrorball in Hand

Graziadei, seen here backstage atGMAwith his suitcase in hand, made sure to bring that Mirrorball trophy with him.

A staple ofDWTS’since the beginning, the prize was renamed The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy back in season 32 in honor and memory of former head judgeLen Goodman, whodied from bone cancer in April 2023 at the age of 78.

05of 09Cheering on the StarsABC/Paula LoboJohnson and Graziadei enter theGMAstudios to the cheers of supporters.The pair had a perfect chemistry all season long, which Johnston called “brother-sister energy” onGMA.“Everyone thinks that we’re twins, but we got along right from the start,” she said. “And he just is such a hard worker. I think he had that Cinderella story of having no dance experience and really taking on each week and becoming a dancer. So I really had the time of my life this season with Joey.”

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Cheering on the Stars

Johnson and Graziadei enter theGMAstudios to the cheers of supporters.

The pair had a perfect chemistry all season long, which Johnston called “brother-sister energy” onGMA.

“Everyone thinks that we’re twins, but we got along right from the start,” she said. “And he just is such a hard worker. I think he had that Cinderella story of having no dance experience and really taking on each week and becoming a dancer. So I really had the time of my life this season with Joey.”

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Greeting the Fans

After a quick outfit change, Graziadei, Johnson and the whole cast stepped outside to say hello to eager fans lined up to greet them.

Graziadei made history with hisDWTSwin, as the firstBacheloralum to take the title.

07of 09It’s ShowtimeABC/Paula LoboSitting down withGMA, the cast looked back on the season.Maher, who became a glowing example of body positivity during her time in the competition, was asked her message to other strong women and girls. “I think you can be so much more than people put you in the box as,” she said. “I’m an amazing athlete, I’m a very strong athlete, but I also felt like, through this show, that I’m a very beautiful dancer and an elegant dancer I can also be smart  in whatever else I want to be.Kinney and Armstrong, meanwhile, reflected on being the first Black couple to make it to the finale, and how they honored the history of Black dancers in their final routine.“It meant everything to us,' said Kinney. “We really wanted to acknowledge the moment, it is a big moment in the ballroom andDWTShistory, and we just wanted to dedicate the dance to everyone that’s come before us to even allow us to be in the space and celebrate. It’s a moment to be celebrated and I think we did just that so we’re really proud of that.”

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It’s Showtime

Sitting down withGMA, the cast looked back on the season.

Maher, who became a glowing example of body positivity during her time in the competition, was asked her message to other strong women and girls. “I think you can be so much more than people put you in the box as,” she said. “I’m an amazing athlete, I’m a very strong athlete, but I also felt like, through this show, that I’m a very beautiful dancer and an elegant dancer I can also be smart  in whatever else I want to be.

Kinney and Armstrong, meanwhile, reflected on being the first Black couple to make it to the finale, and how they honored the history of Black dancers in their final routine.

“It meant everything to us,' said Kinney. “We really wanted to acknowledge the moment, it is a big moment in the ballroom andDWTShistory, and we just wanted to dedicate the dance to everyone that’s come before us to even allow us to be in the space and celebrate. It’s a moment to be celebrated and I think we did just that so we’re really proud of that.”

08of 09Hot PotatoABC/Paula LoboElsewhere onGMA, the group participated in a series of viral dances, one that involved Maher dressing up in a potato costume. FormerDWTScontestants Laurie Hernandez, Nev Schulman andGMA’s own Ginger Zee helped judge their moves.The costumes were nothing compared toDWTS, especially for Amendola who dressed as Ken from theBarbiemovie for his final routine. “Man, I tell you what, it was fun, It was fun,” he shared onGMA.“It was really fun,” said Carson. “We wanted to create something iconic and just pay tribute to Barbie and just have a blast and that’s exactly what we did. Honestly, Danny was the best partner in just letting me create and just being down for anything, so I really appreciate that and we had a blast. He’s just Ken. Just let him be Ken!”

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Hot Potato

Elsewhere onGMA, the group participated in a series of viral dances, one that involved Maher dressing up in a potato costume. FormerDWTScontestants Laurie Hernandez, Nev Schulman andGMA’s own Ginger Zee helped judge their moves.

The costumes were nothing compared toDWTS, especially for Amendola who dressed as Ken from theBarbiemovie for his final routine. “Man, I tell you what, it was fun, It was fun,” he shared onGMA.

“It was really fun,” said Carson. “We wanted to create something iconic and just pay tribute to Barbie and just have a blast and that’s exactly what we did. Honestly, Danny was the best partner in just letting me create and just being down for anything, so I really appreciate that and we had a blast. He’s just Ken. Just let him be Ken!”

09of 09Flipping OutABC/Paula LoboNedoroscik helped his team make it to victory, thanks to some of his gymnastics moves, which were often on display in hisDWTSroutines.The Olympic medalist’s final dance even included appearances from his former Team USA teammates. “It was just amazing. Being there with my teammates, having them be part of my routine, my final dance, it was just a very special moment,” he said onGMA. “I was very happy about it.”

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Flipping Out

Nedoroscik helped his team make it to victory, thanks to some of his gymnastics moves, which were often on display in hisDWTSroutines.

The Olympic medalist’s final dance even included appearances from his former Team USA teammates. “It was just amazing. Being there with my teammates, having them be part of my routine, my final dance, it was just a very special moment,” he said onGMA. “I was very happy about it.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Dancing with the Starscan be streamed in full on Disney+.Good Morning Americaairs weekdays beginning at 7 a.m. ET on ABC.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Dancing with the Starscan be streamed in full on Disney+.Good Morning Americaairs weekdays beginning at 7 a.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com