The winner of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro has officially been crowned. In Monday’s finale episode, Adele Zaikman was named the champion, meaning she’ll be joining Season 35 of DWTS as a pro. Let’s relive her incredible performances on the show.
Week 1: Samba with Nina Mayster
The first week of the competition tested the contestants’ technique, as they were challenged to dance side by side with one of their competitors. Adele danced the samba alongside Nina, prompting guest judge Derek Hough to nickname her “Rolls-Royce.” As he said, “You dance expensive.”
The second week of the competition was all about storytelling. Adele and Allen teamed up to perform an emotional rumba routine inspired by the loss of Allen’s mother. Their beautiful performance brought the judges to tears.
Week 3: The Group Tango
The third week of the competition was all about group numbers, which are extremely common on DWTS. Adele teamed up with Allen, Nina, and AJ to perform a fun tango routine. Judge Shirley Ballas called Adele a “phenomenal lady dancer.”
Week 4: Rumba with AJ Pritchard
This week was all about chemistry, which Adele showed off with her rumba partner AJ. Shirley Ballas called Adele “a superstar,” adding, “Your chemistry skills are off the chart. You come in here, and it’s all of you.”
Week 5: Contemporary with Allen Genkin
The contestants were tasked with creating “wow moments” during this week’s challenge. Adele and her dance partner Allen crafted a contemporary routine that impressed the judges. Shirley Ballas called Adele “one of the best female dancers I’ve ever seen in 66 countries of Dancing with the Stars or Strictly Come Dancing.”
Week 6: Tango with Anthony Riccardo
This week on DWTS: The Next Pro was all about teaching, as the contestants were paired with social media stars. Adele danced a fierce tango with Anthony Riccardo. The judges praised her for creating an ambitious routine and pulling it off.
Week 7: Samba with Gleb Savchenko
For the DWTS: The Next Pro Semifinals, the remaining dancers were paired with experienced pros from the show to perform a Latin routine. Adele danced a sexy samba with Gleb Savchenko. Guest judge Kym Johnson said she “absolutely nailed it.”
Week 7: Foxtrot with AJ Pritchard
The Semifinals also challenged the contestants to perform a ballroom routine with a fellow competitor. Adele and AJ were paired up to perform a foxtrot. Kym Johnson said she was “blown away,” calling the routine “perfection.”
Finale: Samba with Nev Schulman
In the finale, the contestants were paired with past celebrity finalists on DWTS. Adele teamed up with Season 29 runner-up Nev Schulman, starting off with her favorite dance style, the samba. Guest judge Derek Hough told Adele, “When it comes to quality, you’re that girl. You’re it.”
Finale: Freestyle with Nev Schulman
The contestants were also tasked with choreographing a freestyle routine with their celebrity partners during the finale episode. Adele and Nev delivered a fiery routine that incorporated various dance styles, including Argentine tango and paso doble. Hough said it was “on fire, pun intended.”
Are you happy that Adele Zaikman won DWTS: The Next Pro? Are you excited to watch her as a pro on Season 35 of the show? Let us know in the comments below.
Words by:
Jill O'Rourke Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit
