"Dancing with the Stars Australia 2025: Kyle Shilling’s Historic Win, Finale Recap & Season Highlights"

Dancing with the Stars Australia 2025: Full Finale Breakdown, Winner & Season Highlights

✨ The Electrifying Finale of DWTS Australia 2025

After eight weeks of dazzling dance numbers, heartfelt story-driven performances, and high drama, Dancing with the Stars Australia 2025 wrapped up in style on Monday, August 4, 2025. Unlike previous years, this grand finale aired on a Monday evening at 7:30 pm on Channel 7 and the 7plus streaming service, due to scheduling around the Logie Awards.

A total of six finalists took to the floor in one last bid for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy: Brittany Hockley, Felicity Ward, Kyle Shilling, Michael Usher, Shaun Micallef, and Trent Cotchin. The night was packed with standout choreography, fashion moments, and tears of joy—and at the end, it was Kyle Shilling and his pro partner Lily Cornish who took home the title.

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🏆 Kyle Shilling: From Home and Away to Mirrorball Champion

Kyle Shilling—best known for his role on Home and Away—emerged as the season’s champion alongside Lily Cornish. Their final freestyle performance, which paid tribute to Kyle’s Indigenous heritage, received glowing reviews from the judges and earned a perfect score. Helen Richey called it “one of the best performances” she’s seen in a long time.

Throughout the season, Kyle delivered consistently strong performances—securing a perfect 40 early on, and solidifying himself as a frontrunner alongside other crowd favorites.

With the win came more than just applause: Kyle’s victory resulted in a donation to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, making it a win for the community as well as the competition.

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👑 The Grand Finale Lineup and Their Journeys

The six finalists who made it to the final night demonstrated sheer dedication and talent throughout the season:

• Brittany Hockley, known for her work in podcasting and radio, brought great energy week after week.

• Trent Cotchin, former AFL champion, impressed with athleticism and flair.

• Michael Usher, a seasoned news presenter, added measured grace to his routines.

• Shaun Micallef, award-winning comedian and TV personality, showed surprising versatility across styles.

• Felicity Ward, a sharp-witted comedian and actress, earned both laughs and applause with expressive choreography.

• Kyle Shilling, whose emotionally driven routines and perfect freestyle earned him the Mirrorball Trophy.

The finale combined viewer voting with judge scoring to determine the winner. After the judges narrowed the field to the two top scorers—Kyle and Shaun—the live audience vote tipped the mirrorball in Kyle’s favor.

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💔 Who Was Sent Home? A Look Back at the Eliminations

The road to the finale was lined with surprising exits:

• Mia Fevola earned the second-highest score in her semifinal episode but just missed out on a spot in the final due to public votes.

• Harry Garside, the Olympic boxer, was eliminated just one week prior despite earning praise for his Tango performance. He scored 20 points that week, but audience votes weren’t enough to keep him in.

Earlier in the season, the competition began with 12 celebrities paired with professional dancers, including Brittany Hockley, Shaun Micallef, Susie O’Neill, Karina Carvalho, Rebecca Gibney, Wanda Cotchin, and Kyle Shilling, among others. Over the course of weekly eliminations, viewers watched as Susie O’Neill, Karina Carvalho, Rebecca Gibney, and Osher Günsberg were sent home ahead of the semifinals.

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🎤 The Hosts and Judges Who Made the Show Tick

A highly respected cast of hosts and judges returned this season:

Hosts:

• Sonia Kruger, a veteran of Australian entertainment;

• Dr Chris Brown, who balanced humor and warmth, anchoring the live show and backstage moments with charisma.

Judging panel:

• Craig Revel Horwood, known for his frank critiques;

• Sharna Burgess, the former Strictly pro turned judge;

• Helen Richey, praised for her emotional resonance;

• Mark Wilson, an authority in ballroom technique.
  This quartet offered a wide mix of feedback, from technical pointers to heartfelt praise.

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🎭 Highlights That Made the Season Shine

1. Emotion-Driven Storytelling: Kyle and Lily’s freestyle was deeply moving, spotlighting Indigenous culture and resonating with both judges and fans.

2. Unexpected Stars: Comedian Shaun Micallef transitioned surprisingly well into dance, earning top scores and cementing his place among the finalists.

3. Sports Crossover: Trent Cotchin and Harry Garside introduced athletic flair, while Michael Usher brought calm professionalism.

4. Light Moments: A particularly memorable incident involved Trent Cotchin sporting a lipstick smudge on his face after a live performance—a moment that fans loved for its candid humor.

5. Frequent Streaming: With episodes available on 7plus, the season attracted strong streaming numbers alongside its live audience.

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🧠 Why 2025’s Season Captivated Australia

• A Varied Celebrity Line-Up: With athletes, comedians, media figures, and reality stars competing, every week felt fresh and unpredictable.

• Authentic Storylines: Many routines, especially the final freestyle, carried real emotional weight and personal themes.

• Public Engagement: The combination of audience voting and judge scores created a dynamic, democratic format that kept fans involved.

• Television Access: With broadcast on Channel 7 and full episodes on 7plus, the show reached viewers across platforms.

• Live TV Thrills: The occasional blunder, emotional highs, and judge drama made for must-watch moments every Sunday (and the finale on Monday).

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📅 Quick Overview Table

Detail	Summary
Finale Date	Monday, August 4, 2025 at 7:30 pm (moved from Sunday due to Logie Awards)
Winner	Kyle Shilling & Lily Cornish
Grand Finalists	Brittany Hockley, Felicity Ward, Shaun Micallef, Michael Usher, Trent Cotchin
Hosts	Sonia Kruger & Dr Chris Brown
Judges	Craig Revel Horwood, Sharna Burgess, Helen Richey, Mark Wilson
Charity	Donation to Indigenous Literacy Foundation
Notable Moments	Cultural homage dance, live lipstick mishap, perfect judge scores

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💡 Final Thoughts

With its vivid storytelling, diverse cast, and emotionally powerful moments, Dancing with the Stars Australia 2025 proved to be more than just a dance competition—it became a cultural moment. Kyle Shilling’s victory with Lily Cornish wasn’t just about choreography; it was about authenticity, connection, and purpose.

This season shook up expectations and delivered memorable routines that reflected real stories. Whether it was Shaun Micallef surprising us with his dance skills or Mia Fevola nearly clinching a final spot despite top scores, every turn added to a season that felt deeply human.

When the glitter settles and the spotlight fades, this season leaves us knowing that dance can tell stories, unite audiences, and launch meaningful conversations. As fans begin to rewatch their favorite routines and debate who deserved to win, one thing is certain: DWTS Australia 2025 danced its way into emotional, cultural—and charitable—legacy.