came to a show-stopping end on Monday night with Lisa McCune, and Ant Middleton battling it out for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. Each of the three finalists had to perform a freestyle dance followed by a reprise of their favourite dance from earlier in the season, with the judges’ scores combined with the audience vote to determine the winner. After giving it her all on the dance floor, and took home the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy.
The four-time Gold Logie was also awarded $20,000 for her chosen charities, the RCD Foundation and the Harrison Reidel Foundation. While Lisa was consistently one of the best performers in the competition and received enormous praise following her win, several fans have complained about an “unfair” detail in the finale surrounding runner-up Samantha Jade. Not only was the pop star given the task of opening up the show with her Burlesque-inspired freestyle number, but she was also the first performer in round two.
Because of this position - which she had no control over - judge Helen Richey scored her a nine out of ten even though she gave an incredible performance. “This is the grand final, and we really do have to be tough,” she explained. “I think I gave you the maximum score the last time, but because you’re the first one out I have to give myself space to either be able to put someone above you or below you.
“So please don’t be offended by that because it doesn’t mean that I don’t think you’ve done a great job.” Samantha ended up receiving a total score of 38 from the judges for round two, which put her in the second spot on the leaderboard below Lisa who had received 39 points. Viewers subsequently took to social media to question why Samantha was “disadvantaged” by being the first contestant to perform.
“In fairness to Sam and Gustavo, the order for this round should've been fixed up so that they weren't out 1st again. And if they deserved a 10 they should've been given a 10,” one person commented. “Exactly! That wasn’t fair what Helen said.
If they deserved a 10 they should have been given a 10. Never has that been mentioned before about the scoring,” someone else shared. “Samantha [was the] best from start to finish, unfair to mark her on being first, such a stupid comment from a ‘head’ judge,” a different user replied, followed by another who added, “So glad Lisa won but a very odd comment from Helen about her way of scoring Sam.
Very strange and unfair. Judge by the performance, SIMPLE!”. Despite ending the competition in second place, Samantha said she was thrilled with her experience on the reality show.
“If I was going to lose to anyone, the classiest woman I’ve ever met, Lisa McCune. Seriously, the classiest and kindest,” she said. “I’ve had the best dance partner in the whole show.
Thank you production, I honestly have. If it wasn’t for [Gustavo], I would not be here. I’m just happy to be standing here next to him, it’s been great.
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