In what they hope was a final chapter in their championship run, Brooke Burke and professional dancer Derek Hough once again won over the judges on the final round of “Dancing With the Stars” on Monday night.
From their sexy samba to their “Grease”-inspired freestyle, the most consistent pair from “Dancing’s” Season 7 took home the praise and the marks that put them atop the leaderboard as they headed into the public vote.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Highlights of ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 7
For their first dance – a samba smack down, which featured Brooke and Derek first, followed by Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer and finally Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson — the model and her young partner took home the most praise.
“Brooke, you’ve been the sensation of Season 7,” judge Len Goodman, a longtime supporter of Brooke and Derek, opined. “You were the one to beat in Week 1 and I think you’re still the one to beat in Week 10.”
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Julianne Hough
The twosome netted 28 out of 30 points, edging out the other couples by a slim margin. But in round two, which saw Brooke rip off her ‘50s sock hop outfit to reveal a sparkling pink, skin-tight two piece as the duo danced to “You Better Shape Up” from “Grease,” the point gap widened.
“You are the one that we all want,” judge Bruno Tonioli raved. “You ended up in positions that I’ve only seen in the Kama Sutra. One of the best we’ve ever seen.”
And Bruno wasn’t the only judge with his jaw on the floor as the two took home a perfect 30 out of 30 in Round 2.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 7
“I got all hot under the collar,” Len said. “That was the best freestyle that I’ve ever seen.”
But the other two couples stepped up their game in an attempt to stop Brooke and Derek from skipping away with the title.
Lance and Lacey took on an ambitious freestyle, which mixed hip-hop dancing with a cha cha.
“You always managed to put [in] creativity and wit,” Bruno said as they took 27 out of 30. “You mix it up and it always makes me smile… Very good.”
And Warren and Kym stepped up their game too by throwing in some dangerous, but thrilling, lifts.
“I know you lack technique… but this show is not only about dancing, but it’s about entertainment and as an entertainer, you have no one that touches you,” Len said.
“Out of all the routines, that was my favorite,” judge Carrie Ann Inaba added as the two took home 28 out of 30.
While Brooke and Derek ended the night at the top of the leaderboard, scoring a total of 58 out of 60 total points, and the other two couples tying with both 53 out of 60 each, the mirror ball trophy is still anyone’s game.
“Dancing” co-host Tom Bergeron said the final tally would be made up of 50 percent judges’ scores and 50 percent viewers’ votes.
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