Lauren Alaina’s ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Journey Comes To An End

Lauren Alaina took fourth place in Season 28 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars on Monday (Nov. 25).

She may not have won the competition, but Alaina, who faced-off against a strong lineup of competitors including The Bachelorette Hannah Brown, comedian Kel Mitchell and former Fifth Harmony member Ally Brooke, brought her A-game! She tackled both a repeat performance and a Freestyle routine in hopes take home the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy.

For the “repeat-routine,” Alaina and her pro partner Gleb Savchenko brought back their Foxtrot to Dolly Parton’s classic hit “Jolene.” Fans were first introduced to the dance during week four of the competition when Alaina dedicated the graceful dance to her cousin Holly, who had just suffered a brain bleed that required emergency surgery. This week, it was clear Alaina’s dancing showed signs of improvement, as she and Savchenko earned an impressive score of 27/30.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rToRIsFDlM

“Your lines have improved. Your balance has improved,” judge Bruno Tonioli told Alaina before noting that she used her body movements to tell a story. “You’ve always been a nice yarn!”

Carrie Ann Inaba, who thought Alaina didn’t seem as “open,” as she did the first time she danced, said, “You have improved as a dancer. You’ve developed it. Your lines are much nicer and more extended even from the first time, which was one of your best dances, but I feel like you’re holding back a tiny bit.”

Later on in the program, Alaina and Savchenko, who call themselves “team tonkyhonk,” returned with an energetic Freestyle routine set to Luke Bryan’s party anthem “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).” The routine was right up Alaina’s ally. Not only did she get to sport a white-colored Stetson hat and cowboy boots, but also she got to sing over the microphone before closing out her theatrical performance.

“This was the perfect freestyle for you!” Ann Inaba commented of the routine before the pair received their first perfect 30/30 score. “You brought the southern charm. You had a great time. You were loose and you were relaxed. I have adored watching your whole journey. You’ve been vulnerable, honest and open with everything you’ve done. That was a great ending to this beautiful chapter!”

Judges weren’t able save any of the couples since it was finale night, but fans were able to text in their votes leading up to the last commercial break of the live two-hour broadcast. Although Alaina had a fair shot at winning the top prize, it was Brown and pro partner Alan Bersten who were victorious.

Despite her loss, Alaina has clearly grown and improved tremendously throughout the competition. And, it’s clear her peers have taken notice. In fact, stars such as Bobby Bones, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum and more all showed their love and support for the songstress on social media.

Congratulations to the DWTS winners!