Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough were crowned Season 21 champions during the two-hour season finale of "Dancing with the Stars.” Photo Credit: ABC/Kelsey McNeal.

Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough were crowned Season 21 champions during the two-hour season finale of Dancing with the Stars. Photo Credit: ABC/Kelsey McNeal.

Can we have a drumroll, please? After an intense season, including two medical leaves of absence and countless hours of sweat inducing work, the votes are finally in: your new Dancing with the Stars champions are none other than actress Bindi Irwin and professional dancer Derek Hough!

On Tuesday night, Irwin, 17, and Hough, 30, captured the judges and viewers’ hearts, thus securing the winning spot and the mirror ball trophy on season 21 of DWTS. The pair performed a beautiful Cha-Cha and Argentine Tango during the season finale, which garnered them a perfect 30 from the three celebrity judges, but it was their freestyle dance on Monday that may have truly taken the cake. On Monday night, the pair danced to the song “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis in memory of Irwin’s father, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.

This is win number six for fan-favorite Hough, who recently hinted during an interview with E! News that he might not be coming back next season, and the first win for the Australian sweetheart. Irwin’s win came with much gratitude, a fact that the star has made mention of many times throughout the show. “I can’t believe I’m here… Thank you for changing my life!” Irwin gushed after receiving the fashionable trophy. As the news of her success sunk in, Bindi told reporters (among them ones from FOX411) that she feels like this experience has changed her “in so many ways.”

“I never knew I’d learn so much about rhinestones and glitter and high heels. But honestly, the most special part of this experience is really to be able to grow and touch on parts of my life that I never thought I’d fully go to, and to be able to share my journey and my story with so many others,” she said.

Irwin’s triumph came as a bit of a surprise, considering she was up against former boy bander Nick Carter whose dance moves were quite impressive this season as well. His classic jive on Monday night brought back much nostalgia for the Backstreet Boys days of old. But in the end, it was Irwin and Hough who danced their way into the winners’ circle.

Carter’s partner, Australian ballroom dancer Sharna Burgess, had this to say to E! News about the win: “It’s a whirlwind of emotions. Bindi is incredible. As Nick said tonight, to Erin [Andrews], she deserved it. She was wonderful the entire season. We have enjoyed watching her.”


Video courtesy of whipclip.

Other cast members from this season have also expressed their excitement over Irwin and Hough’s win. Russian-born professional ballroom and Latin dancer Anna Trebunskaya, who was paired with Garey Busey this season and eliminated early on, told GALO exclusively, “It was clear from their dances, especially their freestyle on Monday night, that Derek and Bindi developed a deep bond together, with Derek taking on somewhat of a fatherly or big brother role, [which is] so endearing and [it] just melts your heart.”

“Combined with Bindi’s commitment and effervescent personality, the result was the magic we saw on screen when they danced. I’m very happy for them. Her dad would be so proud. Congratulations on winning DWTS Season 21!” she added.

We echo those congratulations! Check out the video and gallery below to relive the final moments of Irwin and Hough’s DWTS season 21 journey.


Video courtesy of Entertainment Tonight.

Can’t get enough of “DWTS?” Don’t want the dancing to end? Read our exclusive interview with Anna Trebunskaya as she talks about her time on the show and what it was like working with actor Gary Busey! || Featured image: Photo Credit: Photo Credit: ABC/Adam Taylor.