Joey Graziadei Reflects on Weight Loss Journey During ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Season 33 winner of “Dancing with the Stars,” Joey Graziadei, opened up about the physical and emotional toll of the competition.

Before winning the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy with professional dancer Jenna Johnson, Joey Graziadei shared thoughts on his weight loss journey while on the ABC competition.

Speaking on the “Lightweights Podcast with Joe Vulpis,” Graziadei talked about how specific dance styles had a significant impact on his body, with the jive being one of the most transformative.

“I ended up losing weight quite fast,” Graziadei mentioned. “We shed a lot of pounds that week because we were constantly moving and exerting ourselves. The same happened during the samba. The amount of activity in those dances was intense – even my fiancée Kelsey Anderson noticed and said, ‘You’re starting to look quite slim.’ I was definitely getting more toned, but I was also dropping a lot of weight. Suddenly, my size 32 pants felt too big, and I needed a size 30, as I had to buckle them up tightly.”

In the final weeks of the competition, however, dance styles like the Argentine tango and contemporary helped Graziadei rebuild strength and muscle. “We’re doing a lot of lifts.…I’m actually holding up Jenna and having to do a lot of reps,” he explained. “And it feels like, the only thing I can compare it to, is like I just worked out, like an upper body workout, every single time we do those lifts because there’s a lot of legs and upper body you have to do to kind of be strong during that.”

Graziadei shared his thoughts on the physical changes he experienced through the competition, calling the process remarkable. “The transformation of your body through dancing is wild,” he said, adding that he’s eager to keep dancing in the future. “If I could do this every day, I would because I would never be out of shape and it’s amazing.”

Throughout season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars,” Graziadei consistently impressed, often topping the leaderboard alongside his partner Jenna Johnson. His hard work paid off in the Tuesday, November 26, season finale when he made history as the first former “Bachelor” to win the Mirrorball Trophy.

“I don’t even know how I felt. I honestly blacked out,” Graziadei told Us Weekly after the win. “I remember this [trophy] was heavier than I thought it was going to be and that was about it. That’s where we’re at now. And now we’re here.”

Graziadei took to Instagram on Saturday, November 30, to reflect on his “Dancing with the Stars” journey and express his gratitude to Johnson, in a heartfelt tribute.

“After a few days it is finally starting to settle in that this season of @dancingwiththestars has come to an end and we are champions…,” he began. “Jenna, from the bottom of my heart I want to say THANK YOU. Thank you for crafting the experience of a lifetime. Thank you for pushing me to be better than I thought I could ever be. Thank you for believing in me and making me feel like I belonged in a room full of exceptionally talented people. I mean it when I say that you have changed my life for the better. No one can question your creative genius and talent. You truly deserve this and I couldn’t be happier for you.”

He continued, “Last but not least, I want to thank my beautiful fiancée, my loving family, and friends. And thank you to all of YOU! This would have never been possible without the support and love of all of you each week. Thank you for believing in me, voting for me, and bringing so much joy to my life. I love you all.”

Johnson reflected on the emotional moment, expressing her gratitude for the support of her husband, Val Chmerkovskiy, who presented the trophy.

“I felt so much sheer love and joy,” she shared with Us Weekly. “He’s been my number one supporter through this. He’s been mommy and daddy for us right now while I’ve been getting ready for this finale. So, I’m just so grateful for him.” The couple, married since 2019, are parents to their 22-month-old son, Rome.