'Dancing With The Stars' season 14 winner too close to call

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The scores Monday night on "Dancing With The Stars" were remarkably high, a testament to one of the show's most competitive seasons.

Katherine Jenkins ended up on top with 60 out of 60 points, one perfect 30 for her Paso Doble and then another perfect 30 for her fun- and fast-moving freestyle.

"If I'm asleep and dreaming, don't wake me up," said head judge Len Goodman about Jenkin's freestyle.

The other contestants are hot on her heels, though.

Donald Driver earned 59 out of 60. He got 29 out of 30 for his first dance, the Argentine Tango, and then a perfect score for his country-themed freestyle. With that, Driver got the one thing he's been wanting all season long: a 10 from Len.

William Levy also earned 59 out of 60. He earned a perfect 30 for his first dance, the Cha Cha. When he returned for his sexy and sultry Salsa-inspired dance in the freestyle round, Levy earned 29 out of 30.

Again, it was Goodman who was the dissenting vote, giving Levy a nine because he felt he played it too safe and the dance was too predictable.

The couples get a bit of a break in the season finale as they get to perform just one dance. But, of course, there's a twist. It's the 24-hour challenge, meaning each couple picked the style of dance, but they weren't given the music until after Monday night's show. After 10 weeks of grueling competition, this dance is their last hurrah.

Jenkins and her partner, Mark Ballas, will dance the Jive.

Levy and partner Cheryle Burke will be bringing back a Salsa dance he first performed in early April.

"This is his best dance, and it's something that you could do in 24 hours," Burke said. "If we chose a more complicated dance, it would have been tough to get through it. So, just the fact that we actually only have three hours to really rehearse it because we have to be here really early in the morning, we figure Salsa was his best."

Pro dancer Peta Murgatroyd has a smart strategy for choosing Driver's final number. It's the Cha Cha.

"I though it was our first dance, and I thought he came out and made the crowd go wild - and why not repeat that? It was an amazing feeling and I think he's good at it," she said.

It's going to be a high-energy two hours of fun in the season finale. One of this season's favorites, Gladys Knight, will be performing, as will Kelly Clarkson.

We'll also see all of the season 14 contestants back in the ballroom for a grand farewell.

The action starts at 9 p.m. on ABC7.

Get more Hollywood Wrap »

dancing with the stars, celebrity, television, abc, hollywood wrap, george pennacchio

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•