Dancing with the Stars: Athletes champions Adam Rippon and Jenna Johnson are defending their freestyle performance in the finale that received lackluster reviews from the judges and criticism on social media.

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Adam and Jenna may have won Dancing with the Stars: Athletes, but Michael Strahan pointed out Tuesday on Good Morning America how DWTS judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli "weren't feeling" their wild freestyle that featured a series of staccato movements.

"Well, you know what? I think it was such a short season. It was four weeks, and what was really cool was Jenna and I got to go out and we did five -- or maybe six, even -- totally and completely different dances," Adam explained on GMA with Jenna by his side.

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"We knew the freestyle would be the last one, so we just wanted to do something totally different, super cool."

Adam added, "And when I found out all of the girls were going to be wearing all these wigs, I was like, 'I have to wear one too!'... I was like, 'I just want this stupid [bowl] haircut, and I got what I wanted. There are no rules."

When Michael asked Jenna what she was trying to convey through her choreography, the pro dancer said she was hoping to capture Adam's fun-loving spirit and personality.

"This was our last time to leave our mark on that floor, and I really wanted to do something true to Adam. We wanted to do something crazy, mind-blowing, and I wanted to do something true to him. And he was in love with the piece, and so, if he's happy, I'm so happy," Jenna said.

On Monday night's Dancing with the Stars: Athletes finale, Carrie Ann had the strongest reaction to Adam and Jenna's freestyle out of the three judges.

"Umm, your style was incredible. It was brave. It was definitely a choice. I can't fault you for what you did, but I feel like I was missing something," Carrie Ann told the pair.

"[Adam], you have led this competition with incredible dancing, and tonight, it wasn't even -- this number was all about being in sync together, and there were moments where I saw you blank out a little bit and watch Jenna, which I've never seen from you before."

Regardless, Adam and Jenna each walked away from the Season 26 competition with a mirrorball trophy, and they couldn't be more thrilled.

"It still hasn't sunken in," Adam said on of the couple's big win.

Adam defeated disgraced former Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding and NFL star Josh Norman for the title. Tonya was paired with pro dancer Sasha Farber, while Josh was partnered with pro Sharna Burgess.

"I think everybody up here will tell you that it's a totally different experience," Adam noted. "It's totally stepping out of your comfort zone, but we've all had such good time and I've loved getting to watch Tonya and Josh on the show as well."

RELATED LINK: 'DANCING WITH THE STARS' PROS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS: WHO'S DATING OR MARRIED TO WHOM!? (PHOTOS)

And looking back on the season as a whole, Jenna absolutely loved her time with Adam despite his sharp tongue and sarcastic humor.

"I would do it a million times over again," Jenna gushed about working with Adam. "He was a blast."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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