This season (17) of Dancing With The Stars has been an extraordinary season, jam-packed with quite a diverse array of star dancers. Apart from dancers, the show had quite a few interesting guest judges as well. Even though this season was breathtaking, it came to a close on November 26th with Glee star Amber Riley and partner Derek Hough being crowned the winners of Dancing With The Stars season 17.

Amber Riley, 27, is a well-known singer and songwriter. Riley started her professional singing career at the age of 17 when she auditioned during the second season of the well-known musical reality show American Idol; however, Riley was turned down by the judging panel (according to Access Hollywood). Later, she became Mercedes Jones on the musical television series Glee, the character that Riley is well known for.

During the course of season 17, Riley started to break away from the pack, especially with her amazing Cha Cha routine to “Wings” during the first week of competition. Throughout the season, Riley (with Hough’s choreography) had some really breakthrough performances, especially with her week 11 “freestyle” dance, inspired by a stepping routine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7DC3XZQ2sg

During the finale’s results show on Tuesday, November 26th, 2013, the remaining couples who were in reach of the trophy were: Jack Osbourne / Cheryl Burke (eliminated earlier in the show), Corbin Bleu (Reivers) / Karina Smirnoff, and Amber Riley / Derek Hough. It was announced at the end of the results show that Riley and Hough were the winners of Dancing With The Stars season 17. Riley’s win on the dancing reality show marks a new milestone, because she is the first African-American woman to win the competition throughout the show’s 17 seasons.

Fellow Glee stars Lea Michele (Rachel Berry), Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel), and Naya Rivera (Santana Lopez) wished Riley congratulations via YouTube:

After the results show, Riley tweeted the picture of her and Hough showing off their well-earned mirror ball trophies, expressing thank you to the various fans that supported her throughout the season.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOOOOOOUUUUUU! I can't believe it!!!! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! pic.twitter.com/dyNykx5qUn

— Amber Patrice Riley (@MsAmberPRiley) November 27, 2013

[Image source: YouTube screenshot]