Normani Kordei Places Third on 'Dancing with the Stars' Amid Controversy
Fifth Harmony fans were left stunned when Normani Kordei was eliminated on “Dancing with the Stars.”
The pop singer, who was an odds-on favorite throughout the season, placed third during Tuesday’s season finale of the ABC show. NFL star Rashad Jennings took home the Mirror Ball trophy, while former MLB catcher David Ross was runner up.
“You’re never really guaranteed,” Kordei told “ET” of the controversial ending. “It was quite a shocker for me, as well, but I’ve gained so much from this experience, I’m so happy, and I can’t even begin to express the gratitude that I carry, and the blessing, especially because I have a lifelong friend now [in her dancing partner Val Chmerkovskiy] that I’ve learned so much from. Being able to see my family and my [Fifth Harmony] girls in the audience, super proud of me, cheering me on like that, means so much more.”
Kordei, who danced to Rihanna’s “Desperado” last week, had nothing but kind words for the night’s big winner, Jennings. “I’m proud,” she said. “That’s like my big brother. He’s worked his butt off. I think any one of us could have been deserving.”
Harmonizers were outraged by the controversial elimination, and so were fellow stars. D∆WN took to Twitter to praise the 5H star, while showing her disappointment with the results. “Normani was robbed,” she tweeted. “but a slay is a slay so you winning anyway…even when you consistent it’s not enough..but let me sip my tea quietly.”
Normani was robbed. but a slay is a slay so you winning anyway. ❤️
— DAWN (@DawnRichard) May 24, 2017
Normani’s groupmates also rallied behind her. “Weeeeellllllllllllll we all know who REALLY won that right?! My bby girl is the queen for LYF @NormaniKordei I’ll make u a mirror trophy,” tweeted Lauren Jauregui. “I’m high key pissed lol.”
Dinah Jane added: “Thank you harmonizers for bringing us this far into the competition xx you are forever loved!”
Weeeeellllllllllllll we all know who REALLY won that right?! My bby girl is the queen for LYF @NormaniKordei I'll make u a mirror trophy
— Lauren Jauregui (@LaurenJauregui) May 24, 2017
Thank you harmonizers for bringing us this far into the competition xx you are forever loved !
— ♕MsJane (@dinahjane) May 24, 2017
But it’s not all bad news for 5H fans. According to Kordei, the group has new music coming “very soon.” “buckle up for some new new,” tweeted Jane.
Fifth Harmony’s third album will be the follow-up to last year’s 7/27 and their first since Camila Cabello’s departure.