Jennifer Lopez, Derek Hough, and Ne-Yo have a big night ahead — their scores will decide whether S-Rank, Charity & Andres, The Lab or Michael Dameski will win the $1 million dollar, number one prize! Are you freaking out?! We’re freaking out. Following a fun montage of the judges and host Jenna Dewan having a dance off, the competition kicked off for one final time this season! Tonight, each competitor will dance to a song picked for them by the judges, and then one they chose themselves.
First, Junior Division contemporary winners Charity & Andres took the stage. They were mentored by Derek, who chose “Ain’t No Sunshine” for the pair to perform. While Charity still has a broken toe, the two said they would bring their A-game! Rocking a yellow dress, Charity was literal sunshine, and the pair started off the choreography separately, each doing different moves — Charity doing pirouettes over and over again in the back of the stage. The two then came back together in a lift and went into their signature twists and turns we love so much. At one point. Charity straddled Andres’s shoulder and he flipped her then pulled her through his legs. We must say this “Ain’t No Sunshine” remix was a perfect choice for the two by Derek! “You guys are dancing like you’ve won a million dollars!” Ne-Yo complimented, and the judges totally agreed. For this dance, Charity & Andres received a 92 from Ne-Yo, 96 from J.Lo and 95 from Derek, giving them a 94.3 average.
S-Rank was next up for the judges choice challenge, and their mentor J.Lo chose the jam “Headband” by B.o.B. She added that she wanted them to dig deeper into their story and personalities when they took the stage. Melvin, the group leader played his crew like a symphony director, moving each of them with a swipe of his hands — this was literally Fantasia, World of Dance style. The judges were on their feet screaming for the crew, while the other competitors had their jaws on the floor backstage watching. “Probably one of your best routines of the year!” J.Lo told S-Rank. Yes! When it came to scores, Ne-Yo gave them a 91, J.Lo gave them a 95, and Derek a 93. S-Rank’s total came to 93.0, keeping Charity & Andres in first place.
Michael Dameski and Jenna Dewan got together for a mentoring session and the Step Up actress gave the former Billy Elliot star Ed Sheeran‘s “Dive” to dance to. We’d like to thank Jenna in advance for giving Michael a song that he definitely needs to do his high jumps to! Michael pulled out all the stops with the performance! It was emotional and filled with his incredible choreography. Using a letter, Michael told a story of a broken heart — something he admitted he recently experienced. Ne-Yo scored Michael a 95, J.Lo gave him a high 97, and Derek a 95. This sent Michael to first place with a 95.7!
Junior Team Division winners The Lab have come so far since last year on World of Dance, when they were sent home in The Cut round. Now, in season 2, they’re coming off a perfect score from each judge in the Divisional Final and are ready to compete in the finals for a milli! Ne-Yo mentored the crew, and he gave The Lab “Work It” by Missy Elliott. The Lab came here to WIN. With three slides, massive facial expressions, tight choreography that was perfectly in sync, and WOW. “You all went beyond what I expected,” their mentor Ne-Yo said after giving them a standing ovation. When it came time to score them, each judge gave The Lab a 97, sending them straight up to first place!
We’re not done! It’s time for S-Rank to perform a song of their choice. The crew chose “It’s Going Down” and we are into it (so was J.Lo.) Performing as a team of bikers, S-Rank delivered! This was a special performance for Melvin, especially, whose father was watching him dance in person for the first time. The judges were on their feet and each member of the team was in tears by the end of the performance, showing they absolutely gave it their all. J.Lo teared up wit them. “There’s so much unity, so much love, so much heart, so much passion, and the world sees that through groups like you,” J.Lo told them. Ne-Yo, J.Lo and Derek scored S-Rank with 94 in Round 2, and added with their Round 1 score, they were a 93.5.
Charity and Andres chose the song “Legends” to tell their final story on the World Of Dance stage. The pair were ready to win and came out strong. While their first flip was a tad off time, they made up for it with a perfectly trick-filled, tight routine. At one point, Charity even threw Andres, and Andres lifted Charity in a split over his head! These two brought their A-game to this final dance! Ne-Yo gave C&A a 96, J.Lo a 93 and Derek a 94. In total, they received a 94.3, and averaged at a 94.3 — knocking S-Rank out of the competition completely.
After a SICK performance from last season’s winners, Les Twins, Michael was up once more, dancing to a cover of Destiny’s Child “Survivor.” His dance represented his uneasiness in moving to LA to achieve his dance dreams from Australia. He has spoken before about how he came very close to giving up, and now, he’s very glad he didn’t. “Things like this happen,” and it makes it all worth it,” Michael said to the cameras. Dancing atop a wooden pyramid, Michael did flips and turns on the ledge before coming down and dancing with a wooden stick. His dominating routine was a perfect, final piece to his World Of Dance performance. “Everyone is going to know Michael Dameski after this!” Derek exclaimed. The judges locked in their scores, with Ne-Yo giving him a 98, J.Lo a 96 and Derek a 95, averaging a 96.3. Combined with his round 1 score, Michael was pushed to first with a 96, knocking Charity and Andres out of the competition.
The Lab had a departure from their typical stanky hip-hop, performing to John Mayer’s “Waiting On The World To Change.” Rocking military camp. hoodies and plain clothes, The Lab took the stage, with some of them in tears already. They really showed off their immense talent, with a creative plotline that was so beautifully demonstrated. After going through helping the homeless, welcoming home veterans and stepping away from technology, The Lab came together and finished out the song with stunning choreo. J.Lo watched with tears in their eyes as the group finished by holding up roses to the judges. “Our message is about love, and we don’t receive enough of it in the world. Our plan is to make this world a better place,” The Lab said. “It’s your generation. You guys are going to change the world is what’s going to happen. That’s what art does,” J. Lo told them through tears.
This was the moment we’ve been waiting for! The Lab’s Round 2 score averaged to a 98, with Ne-Yo giving them the only 100 of the night. On the Final Leader Board, The Lab came in FIRST as the Season 2 WINNERS of World Of Dance! Congratulations to THE LAB!