AND THE WINNER IS….
Iraq war veteran J.R. Martinez has been crowned this season’s winner on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ capping weeks near the top of the leader board on the popular ballroom dancing show.
Martinez and his partner Karina Smirnoff earned two sets of perfect judges scores two weeks ago for a flowing waltz and a high-energy jive. Though the pair suffered a set-back last week when Martinez injured his ankle, they bounced back Monday night with another perfect score for their Latin-inspired freestyle.
Sharing his story of recovery from severe burns incurred while serving in the Middle East helped Martinez win the hearts of the show’s viewers early-on. A performance dedicated to the many service members who die in combat was described as one of the most memorable dances in the show’s history.
Reality TV star Rob Kardashian and former talk show host Ricki Lake were runners-up in the competition. Both stars had professional dance partners who had won the competition’s mirror ball trophy before. Hough has won three times before, and Burke has won twice.
