Contestants from Team Captain Millennials (from left to right) Brandon Armstrong, Viktor Koenig, Lyric McHenry, Vanessa Lachey, Nick Viall, Chase McNary, Alex Raisman, Lindsay Arnold, Audrey Bolger, Taylor Nolan, Witney Carson, Frankie Muniz, Mark Ballas, and Peta Murgatroyd dance in the finale of Dancing with the Stars Season 30 on ABC. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
As the season of “Dancing with the Stars” comes to a close, something that has not happened in almost 25 years is no less than becoming a national news story. Twenty-eight-year-old Las Vegas show performer Lindsey Stirling has been awarded the Mirrorball trophy for Season 30.
This marks a first for Stirling, who leads an uber-trendy life as a rising star in the music industry, performing in packed arenas across America, as well as popping up on television as a cultural icon. Her online following is estimated to be approaching 50 million subscribers. “Some of my favorite moments of the season were especially spontaneous,” she said, “when I would spontaneously dance with dancing partners or partner who I’ve only danced with a few times.”
Once only a concept dreamed up by partner Robert Vaughn, team dancing has finally captured a significant portion of the American public’s attention. The success of Stirling’s own team speaks to the hard work behind the scenes of a wildly popular show. “Dancing with the Stars” brings in an estimated $400 million each year to ABC.