Winter Olympic figure skating medallist, Adam Rippon, has just become the first openly gay person to win the US version of Dancing with the Stars.
Rippon and his partner, Jenna Johnson, took out the coveted mirror ball trophy in the athletes only season of the reality dancing competition.
The remaining three couples performed two final dances hoping to impress the judges. Rippon and Johnson came away eventual winners with a total score of 58 in the final.
They competed against former figure skater, Tonya Harding and pro footballer, Josh Norman.
Congrats to our #DWTS: Athletes winners, @Adaripp & @Dance10Jenna! #TeamJustFriends pic.twitter.com/qjO4H7k74Z
— Dancing with the Stars (@DancingABC) 22 May 2018
Rippon and Johnson first danced to a jazz number followed by a freestyle routine that all couples performed.
The jazz routine scored the couple a perfect 30.
Rippon wore a quirky black bowl cut wig for the freestyle performance and spoke about how America has accepted him as the first openly gay athlete to win a medal for the US at the Winter Olympics.
‘I never thought somebody like me would be accepted, but I really feel loved,’ he said during the final.
The outspoken figure skater remained popular throughout the season. He notched up multiple wins with his impressive performances.
‘Adam was in a league of his own every week of this competition. Of course being a highly trained figure skater gives him an advantage, but it’s his authenticity, refusal to blend in and the fearless attack he has given each routine that has taken him to the top,’ dancing expert Shauna Fuhs told USA Today.
‘Jenna and Adam have the most chemistry of all of the pairs, and he is able to match Jenna’s fiery energy… and these two were made for each other.’
Last week, he wowed audiences with contemporary and emotional dance dedicated to his mom, Kelly Rippon.
