Nobody puts baby in the corner.
And true to form, Jennifer Grey took home the Mirror Ball Trophy Tuesday night and became the Season 11 winner on "Dancing with the Stars."
The "Dirty Dancing" actress and her dance partner Derek Hough had been considered among the top contenders throughout the season, despite struggling with her many physical injuries.
At the start of Tuesday night's show, hosts Brooke Burke and Tom Bergeron briefly discussed with Grey how she had ruptured a disc during her performances Monday night and had to be patched up by a doctor Tuesday morning.
"This might be my last two chances to ever dance, on this show, with Derek Hough," said Grey. "So I think I better do it."
On Monday night's live show, Grey had danced a Paso Doble and their freestyle, scoring 10s from the three judges for both performances.
Her competitors Disney star Kyle Massey had earned a total of 56 points, and teen activist Bristol Palin scored a total of 52 points.
On Tuesday, the dancers were required to perform an encore of a routine from earlier in the season. The judges, then, had to rank the three performers, comparing them after they had all danced.
Massey and Schwimmer chose to perform their tango, which was seen as the turning point to his improved footwork.
"Kyle, you really are a talented young man," said judge Bruno Tonioli. "You have the power to connect with the viewers. You're a stage animal, and you're a great professional because behind this, there is all the work. We say something, and you go out there, you come back and improve, week after week after week."
Next up were Palin and partner Mark Ballas, who also redid their tango. Their first tango this season had been described by the judges as the first performance in which she started to let loose.
"Out of all the dancers you've performed, and I've been consistently surprised by your progress, this by far is my favorite," said Carrie Ann Inaba. "There's something about this dance that showcases the core strength that you developed. There was a new command that you showed last night, but it was even bigger and broader this time."
Grey and Hough decided to do an encore of their Viennese waltz, which they had performed on the first night of competition and a very emotional dance for Grey who dedicated it to her late and former dance partner Patrick Swayze.
"It was a mix of ease and elegance," said Len Goodman. "It's an irresistable force. You are the complete package."
Massey and Schwimmer received 26 points; Palin and Ballas received 25 points; and the judges reserved their 10s for Jennifer Grey, who received 30 points.
For their second round Tuesday, the dancers had to perform a cha cha in an instant dance, in which the three were able to map a choreographed routine during the week despite not knowing to which song they would dance.
The three performed to Pink's "Raise Your Glass," with Massey performing first, earning 28 points; followed by Grey, who received 28 points; then Palin, who got 27 points.
"I can see you guys all brought your A-game," said Inaba.
The combined judges scores from Monday and Tuesday were combined with the audience's votes to come up with this season's Mirror Ball trophy winner.
Palin's continued survival on the show had been fodder for the dance competition's online community, with rumors circulating of how Sarah Palin, Bristol's mother, and her supporters had helped keep the young activist in the dance competition, despite having earned the lowest scores throughout the season.
Massey's presence in the final round this season was also surprising as R&B singer Brandy had been expected to be Grey's toughest competition. On Tuesday, Massey and partner Lacey Schwimmer performed their tango.
All of the contestants of Season 11, except for Audrina Patrindge, who was recovering from an illness, and Michael Bolton, who had a concert in London, returned for the Season Finale show to perform.
Christina Aguilera performed music from hernew movie "Burlesque" and her hit song "Beautiful."
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