The 2026 champion is none other than Avery Chen, the Olympic gymnast who made every lift look like she was just picking up a grocery bag. Seriously, she tossed her partner, Dmitri Volkov, around like he weighed nothing. It was the kind of athletic feat that makes you feel personally called out for skipping leg day.
Avery won over America with her raw emotion and perfect technique. But honestly? She won our hearts the week she accidentally tripped during a rumba, laughed it off, and then nailed a backflip in her recovery. That’s the energy we all need—falling, laughing, and then doing something spectacular anyway.
Why Did She Win? A Lesson in Grit and Glitter
Let’s break it down like you’re explaining it to a friend over coffee. Avery didn’t just have fancy footwork; she had storytelling. Her Viennese waltz to a song about her late grandmother made half the country cry into their popcorn. That’s the secret sauce of the show: it’s not about perfect spins, it’s about connecting.
Think of it like your office karaoke night. The person who wins isn’t the one who hits every note. It’s the one who owns the stage, flubs a line, and winks at the boss. Avery was that person—except with better shoes and zero alcohol involved.
