Derek Hough And Mark Ballas Redefine Gender Roles In 'DWTS' Finale

Derek Hough and Mark Ballas delivered an unforgettable performance to cap off this season of "Dancing with the Stars."

During the season 33 finale on November 26, Hough and his longtime friend took to the stage for a special routine. The finale featured a showdown between Ilona Maher, Stephen Nedoroscik, Danny Amendola, Joey Graziadei, and Chandler Kinney as they all competed for the coveted top spot.

Derek Hough and Mark Ballas wowed the audience with a stunning Argentine tango set to "Libertango" by Tango Bardo.

Before stepping onto the ballroom floor, the duo explained the history of the dance, noting that it became popular for men to perform together in Argentina during the late 1800s, a time when there was a gender imbalance.

Following their performance, co-host Alfonso Ribeiro turned to actor Seann William Scott, who was in the audience, for his thoughts. The "Shifting Gears" star praised the dance, calling it "sexy."

Hough and Ballas’ performance came on the heels of a groundbreaking moment in "Dancing with the Stars" history. During the 30th season, Jenna Johnson and JoJo Siwa made history as the first all-female couple to compete on the show.

JoJo Siwa, known for her vibrant personality as a former "Dance Moms" star and popular YouTuber, teamed up with Jenna Johnson, a seasoned professional dancer with multiple seasons of "Dancing with the Stars" under her belt.

Together, they created a partnership that captivated fans for its bold break from traditional ballroom norms. Their pairing was widely praised for challenging gender expectations in dance. Throughout the season, JoJo and Jenna wowed both judges and viewers with their undeniable chemistry and captivating performances, demonstrating both technical prowess and emotional depth.

They performed a variety of styles, including cha-cha, jazz, and contemporary, and consistently earned high marks from the judges. Their authentic connection made them fan favorites, and they proved that love and partnership on the dance floor aren't limited by gender.

Despite finishing in second place, the duo's groundbreaking participation in "DWTS" marked a significant moment in the show's history, opening the door for greater inclusivity in ballroom dance. Their partnership became a powerful symbol of empowerment for the LGBTQ+ community and those who defy societal expectations.

Hough and Ballas aren’t the first same-sex couple to perform together on "Dancing with the Stars."

Back in 2016, during season 23, Nyle DiMarco and Keo Motsepe made history as the first same-sex duo to dance on the show. Their performance to "Habanera" by Georges Bizet was a groundbreaking moment, with both dancers switching partners during the routine. The provocative dance saw a shirtless DiMarco and Motsepe exchanging roles, leaving fans speechless.

“It was a lot of fun dancing with Keo,” DiMarco told PEOPLE Magazine after the competition. “Bruno asked me to dance with him, and Peta to dance with Jodie, and we’re like, ‘those are his rules, we’ll do it, and we’ll respect that. It’s a competition and you should be willing to do that.”

On Tuesday, November 26, "Dancing with the Stars" season 33 crowned its winner after eight weeks of thrilling competition.  Each couple took to the floor with a Freestyle routine featuring additional dancers, followed by a redemption dance before the winner was crowned.

The finale featured a star-studded lineup, including former NFL player Danny Amendola with Witney Carson, "Bachelor" star Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, actress Chandler Kinney paired with Brandon Armstrong, Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten, and Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik alongside Rylee Arnold.

In the end, it was revealed that Danny and Witney took fifth place, while Stephen and Rylee secured fourth. Chandler and Brandon followed closely in third.

This left the final showdown between Jenna and Joey and Ilona and Alan. Ultimately, Joey and Jenna was the couple to take home the Mirrorball Trophy.

"It means everything, this whole experience has been unbelievable," Joey said after his win. "Thank you for bearing with us. I tried my best, I promise!"