Normani Kordei knew there were no guarantees of winningwhen she signed on to compete on “Dancing with the Stars,” but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t surprised that she fell short in the finals on the 24th edition of the celebrity ballroom competition. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight after the latest “Dancing With the Stars” winner, Rashad Jennings, was announced, Normani admitted the loss came as “quite a shocker” to her. The 20-year-old Fifth Harmony singer landed in third place on the ABC reality show, behind Jennings and runner-up David Ross.
Not a winner, but no regrets
While she is admittedly shocked that she didn’t take home the mirror ball trophy, Normani says she has no regrets about signing on to the ABC dancing competition while still on tour with her girl group Fifth Harmony. Normani also revealed that she found a lifelong friend in pro partner Val Chmerkovskiy.
Normani Kordei was considered a front runner this season on “Dancing With the Stars.” When Kordei was announced as the third runner-up, audible boos could be heard throughout the ballroom.
Jennings has big plans for his mirrorball trophy
Normani Kordei and the other two “DWTS” finalists and their pro partners took a red-eye to New York for a live appearance on “Good Morning America” the day after the “Dancing With the Stars” finale.
“DWTS” Season 24 winner Rashad Jennings told the ABC morning show that he rehearsed a whopping 362 hours with partner Emma Slater. Jennings also revealed that he plans to dedicate an entire room in his home to “Dancing With the Stars.” Jennings said the blinged-out room will include the colorful costume he wore during his perfect-scoring freestyle dance, and of course, that glittery mirrorball trophy.
Meanwhile, Normani Kordei thanked her Fifth Harmony band mates for showing her so much love and support all season long. In addition to working around Normani’s hectic rehearsal schedule while the group was on tour in Asia, The Fifth Harmony stars made a cameo on “Dancing With the Stars” earlier in the season to sing during one of Kordei’s dances with Chmerkovskiy.
In addition, the ladies turned up in the audience to support their groupmate on finale night. After the finale, the chart-topping singers sent a video message to “GMA,” telling Normani that no matter what, she is still “a winner” in their hearts.
“Dancing With the Stars” returns to ABC for Season 25 this fall.
