ABC/Adam RoseFifth Harmony stunner Normani Kordei was heavily favored to win the coveted Mirrorball Trophy Tuesday night in the season 24 finale of Dancing with the Stars, and yet, in a shocking turn of events, Normani was eliminated.
NFL running back Rashad Jennings won the trophy instead.
During her ten weeks on the show, the 20-year-old Normani consistently turned in strong performances with her partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy.
Tuesday night, Normani and Val performed a bewitching fusion of an Argentine tango and foxtrot which brought her another perfect score. Bruno Tonioli called her “a leading lady” while Carrie Ann Inaba said, “You were born to win this competition.”
All eyes were on the sultry singer at the end of the night, when the finalists took their place on stage in the last 15 minutes of the show, and votes were tallied from last week and last night, it was Normani who took third place and was eliminated.
A gasp could be heard in the audience and judges Carrie Ann and Bruno seemed truly shocked. And one contestant who was eliminated earlier in the season, shared their shock. “I though she gonna be the winner — Normani. I mean, no doubt about it,” Charo told ABC Radio. “Because she is the best dancer that I ever saw in my life.”
Nevertheless, Normani was gracious as ever and said she was thankful for the experience.
“It’s been such an incredible journey,” Normani said backstage after the show. “I feel that I’ve learned so much from my partner and I feel that in the process I’ve gotten to know myself a little better. It’s been a beautiful experience and one that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
On Wednesday morning Normani will join Jennings and Ross on Good Morning America on ABC.
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