Dancing with the Stars might have the closest race in history with Nyle DiMarco, Paige VanZant and Ginger Zee duking it out for Season 22's mirrorball trophy.

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Monday night's final performance show featured the three remaining couples each performing two routines -- a "Redemption Routine," which is an improved encore performance of a previously-performed dance on the show, and the fan-favorite "Freestyle," which is a supersized routine with no rules or expectations.

Paige, a UFC fighter, and her pro partner Mark Ballas topped the judges' leaderboard in first place after she received a total of 59 points from Dancing with the Stars judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.

Paige and Mark first reprised their salsa -- which Mark was injured and unable to perform -- from Week 2 of the competition and received 29 out of 30 possible points from the judges. Paige and Mark followed that up with a contemporary freestyle set to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," which was sung live by Mark's fiancee BC Jean. The couple received a perfect score of 30 points for the freestyle.

Second place on the judges' leaderboard went to Ginger, Good Morning America's meteorologist, and partner Val Chmerkovskiy with 58 total points. The pair first improved upon their contemporary dance from Week 3 and earned 28 points. Ginger and Val later performed their freestyle that was a tribute to Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, adding 30 points to their score.

Nyle, the latest winner of America's Next Top Model, and partner Peta Murgatroyd finished the night in third place with 57 total points. The couple initially took the stage with their quickstep from Week 6 and earned 27 points from the judges. Nyle and Peta then danced their freestyle which earned a perfect score of 30 points.

Nyle and Peta's contemporary freestyle, set to "The Sound of Silence," depicted how Nyle has inspired the deaf community. It ended up being so much more than the dance of the night.

"I have to say, in 22 seasons that is the best dance I have ever seen," Carrie Ann said, as there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

"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."

The scores from last week were the closest in finals history, according to host Tom Bergeron. Only three percent separated the finalists.

Dancing with the Stars will crown its next winner during Tuesday night's live results show on ABC.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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