Kellie Pickler Derek Hough 'Dancing With The Stars' Winners; Country Singer Says Win Was Unexpected [VIDEO]
American Idol alum Kellie Pickler was shocked when she and partner Derek Hough were announced as the winners of Dancing with the Stars' season 16 on Tuesday.
“Oh my God,” said Pickler, as host Tom Bergeron congratulated the singer and asked if she had expected her triumph. "No, not at all. This is amazing. Oh my God."
The 26-year-old country star and Hough basked in their win as gold confetti rained on them. Contestant Jacoby Jones, who was sent home early on in the finale, then put Pickler and his shoulders to continue the celebrations.
Picklers’ grandfather, Ken Morton, is a longtime fan of ABC’s dance competition. When Pickler was announced the winner, Hough said, “Grandpa Ken, we got you the trophy, buddy.”
Her grandfather asked for divine intervention after hearing that his granddaughter would be competing on the show.
"Right before I left Nashville for L.A., my Grandpa Ken, who is a huge fan of the show, told me he was praying that Derek would be my partner, because that's his favorite male dancer on the show," Pickler told People back in February. "Now I think I will tell him to pray that we win!"
The couple earned two perfect scores of 30 on Monday night, answering her grandfather’s prayers. Pickler also earned a perfect score of 30 for her Instant Dance on Tuesday.
Pickler and Hough received 94 points and placed 2nd in their Cha Cha relay on Monday night. Hundreds of fans deemed the couple as their favorite dancing pair after casting their ballots via phone, text and Facebook. Technical difficulties during the East Coast broadcast on Monday night, however, caused votes cast on ABC.com not to be counted.
