14 DAY TRIAL // Another spectacular season of ABC's Dancing With the Stars has come to an end. War veteran J.R. Martinez and partner Karina Smirnoff took home the mirrorball trophy, while Rob Kardashian was runner-up.
Surprisingly, Ricki Lake and partner Derek Hough were the first pair to leave the show on the grand night of the finals, leaving Rob and J.R. in the run.
As the New York Daily News can confirm (and the video below as well), it was the latter who took home the big prize.
This was also a first for pro dancer Karina, which means she's now in the “elite” of DWTS.
“Make no mistake about it, the dance floor belonged to the troops on Nov. 22's emotional, surprising season 13 finale of Dancing With the Stars,” the aforementioned publication says.
“J.R. Martinez, the Iraq war veteran and actor, capped off a solid season on the dance floor with a victory that will likely make his just as much of a household name,” says the report.
After he heard his name called out as the winner, J.R. thanked the audience for the constant support throughout the entire season.
“First and foremost, I want to thank everybody who voted for us, for 10 weeks. Thank you, America, for believing in us,” he said, with tears of joy in his eyes.
He also thanked Karina for helping him win the trophy, while also allowing him to be part of such a special moment for her, since this was the first time she won the mirrorball trophy.
“You are amazing, and I'm so glad I could be a part of your first mirror ball,” he told Karina.
Rob Kardashian, who had most members of his numerous family in the audience for support, was definitely the surprise of the season: whereas many viewers would have bet that Ricki won at least second spot, he showed such incredible progress that he landed on it.
“I'm super thankful. I'm definitely not sad. I won in my book,” he said.
