Iman Shumpert won ABC’s hit dance-competition show Dancing with the Stars on Nov. 23 with his partner, Daniella Karagach Pashkova. Shumpert is the first former NBA star to win the coveted Mirrorball trophy in the show’s 30 seasons.
Shumpert and Pashkova received two perfect scores from the show’s judges. Over ten weeks, the winning team beat out Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore and her partner Brandon Armstrong, as well as JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson.
Shumpert and Pashkova were raised into the air by the other dancers while celebrating their win, and the new Dancing with the Stars champion thanked his hometown of Chicago for voting.
“Chicago, thank you all for voting, thank you all for watching and I always got you all with me,” Shumpert said. “Look at this, Kia made sure, one of my best friends growing up been doing my hair since fourth grade, she’s been flying out every week to braid my hair… It’s about the connection with people, it’s about sharing a good time and sharing a good energy, I’m just honored to be a part of this franchise.”
The duo danced to “Lose Control / Bounce” by Missy Elliot featuring Ciara & Fat Man Scoop / DJ Clent during the season finale, and they threw down!
Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach dance Freestyle to “Lose Control / Bounce” by Missy Elliott ft. Ciara & Fat Man Scoop / DJ Clent on the Dancing with the Stars Finale! pic.twitter.com/hv5L3r3di6
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@DancingABC) November 23, 2021
The dynamic duo also fox-trotted and cha-cha’d to “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire.
Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach dance a Cha Cha / Foxtrot Fusion to “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire on the Dancing with the Stars Finale! pic.twitter.com/zIpRkS4ciO
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@DancingABC) November 23, 2021
Congratulations to these Mirrorball CHAMPS, @imanshumpert and @DKaragach!! 🎉🍾🥳👏 #DWTS #Finale pic.twitter.com/G5LRjJEA2Y
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@DancingABC) November 23, 2021
Iman Shumpert posted photographs of the evening on Instagram, including a picture of the champions being lifted into the air after their win and a caption describing his experience.
“You are looking at the @dancingabc season 30 CHAMPIONS!!! Thank you to everyone involved in this show,” he wrote. I met incredible people that I won’t forget or ever stop rooting for! To have done most the lifting all season and then be lifted off of my feet in triumph from this kick ass cast put a lot into perspective for me!!!”
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Shumpert and Pashkova helped secure the bag by having dance coach King Kemo fly in from Chicago to train them on dance styles from Chitown.
“King Kemo actually flew in from Chicago to teach us both the footwork,” said Shumpert. “I thought it was cool that all season I had to learn all these dance styles. It was like cool to have that flip flop, and have her have that solo moment and feel like, she’s at a house party with me in Chicago having a good time.”
The DWTS champion also dedicated the Mirrorball trophy to his mother.
“I just can’t wait for my mom to actually get her hands on this trophy, because this is a show that means a lot to her. It really makes her smile to see people be more than an athlete, more than an entertainer, more than whatever their respective field is. She loves when people grow … so this mirrorball is definitely for her.”
Congratulations to the winners!
