Nyle DiMarco and his professional dance partner Peta Murgatroyd astounded the judges and viewers with their passionate, meaningful interpretation of "The Sound of Silence" on "Dancing with the Stars" on Monday night.
The crowd gave the couple a standing ovation and the judges heaped praise on the competitors on Night 1 of the show's Season 22 finals.
The pair earned a perfect score for their effort.
"You really brought me to tears on this one," judge Bruno Tonioli told DiMarco, who is deaf, but can read lips and sign. "That was beyond dancing; that was a work of art. ... I have chills. I really have. My darlings, that was absolutely stunning."
"I have to say, in 22 seasons that is the best dance I have ever seen," declared judge Carrie Ann Inaba. "What was so profound about it is not only do I see a man who wants to prove that he can dance in this incredible way and this new approach to how you connect with all of us and the music, but I also see a man who is proving that he can change the world through dance and I love that."
"You say that is a dance for deaf people. That wasn't. That was a dance for everyone. Nyle, you're a very special person and that was a very special dance," added Len Goodman.
The Season 22 winner will be crowned on Tuesday's edition of the show. Also in the running for the coveted mirror-ball trophy are Ginger Zee and Paige VanZant.