DWTS’ Alfonso Ribeiro Reacts to Former Partner Witney Carson’s Win

Witney Carson has forever sashayed her way into Alfonso Ribeiro’s heart.

The Dancing With the Stars co-host was visibly emotional when Witney and her partner, Robert Irwin, won the Mirrorball Trophy on the season 34 finale. This win was especially meaningful, as Witney previously won the award with Alfonso 11 years ago.

A touching moment occurred after Witney and Robert won—a video posted to TikTok on November 26th shows Alfonso hugging Witney and telling her, “I love you.”

Witney was deeply touched by the moment, sharing that it had been eleven years since she and Alfonso won their first mirrorball trophy together, and tonight, he was the one presenting her with her second.

The professional dancer said, “Everything – the triumphs, the setbacks, the difficult losses, and every season that helped me grow – brought me to this moment. Sharing this victory with Robert is incredibly meaningful to me.”

Witney also expressed gratitude to her husband, Carson McAllister, and their sons, Kevin, age 4, and Jet, age 2, for standing by her. She shared that she would always treasure this experience.

Another DWTS family member elated by her triumph this season? Alfonso’s wife Angela Unkrich.

She shared on Instagram on November 26th how happy she was for Alfonso and Witney, posting photos from the show’s finale. She wrote that watching their relationship develop had been a joy from the very beginning.

Angela, who shares three children – Alfonso Jr., 12, Anders, 10, and Ava, 6 – with Alfonso, publicly praised Witney, expressing her love and pride in everything Witney accomplished this season as a dancer, mother, wife, and friend.

She went on, saying that his passion, imagination, and unique spirit were as vibrant as always, and that he was truly remarkable.

Since meeting during season 19 of DWTS in 2014, Alfonso and Witney have maintained a close bond.

I’ve been doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work with Danielle Fishel lately. I really see myself as a life mentor to her, helping her navigate things. Actually, my wife, Angela, is even more of a guiding force in her life – she’s incredible at offering support and advice.

The 54-year-old shared, “It’s amazing to see how much a young girl I’ve known for twelve years has grown. She was just a baby when we first met.”

Will Smith, known for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, complimented Witney, who was just 21 during their competition, and praised her consistently excellent dancing. He said dancing with Robert has brought back a passion he felt she lost after not winning the Mirrorball Trophy with Milo Manheim in 2018.

He noticed she was changing, becoming more willing to let others in and less guarded than she had been in recent years.

Robert and Witney won this season of Dancing With the Stars, but keep reading to learn about all the other celebrities who competed!