Paige VanZant waves to the cameras while arriving at ABC Studios for Good Morning America in New York City on Wednesday morning (May 25).
The 22-year-old UFC fighter joined her pro partner Mark Ballas, plus winners Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd on the program to chat about the season and her second place finish.
Speaking with People earlier, Paige opened up about returning to the hometown where she was bullied so badly that her family moved.
“I recently got asked to go back to the town and speak at a school my aunt teaches at,” Paige shared. “I’ve been wanting to speak to students for a long time now but I just wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. So what a better place to start than the town where I had my own problems.”
She added, “It happens to everybody, but with social media I feel like it can be even worse now. You can’t change everyone. There’s going to be mean people out there. But no matter what you’re going through, there is a brighter future and the hurt and pain you’re feeling is real but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
15+ pics inside of Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas…
Dancing With The Stars just declared the winner of season 22!
After the show on Monday night (May 23), Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas were leading the way with 59 points, with Ginger Zee and Val Chmerkovskiy in second with 58 and Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd with 57 out of a total 60.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Dancing With The Stars
All the votes from May 16 and May 23 were combined along with the judges’ points from both weeks and the “24-Hour Fusion Challenge” to declare the winner.
Click inside NOW to find out the winner of “Dancing With The Stars” Season 22…
NYLE DIMARCOWHAT DO YOU THINK of Nyle winning the trophy?
Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas take the floor one last time for the fusion challenge during the Dancing with the Stars Finals on Tuesday (May 24) from Los Angeles.
Team PowRightInTheKiser were the top scorers of the night on Monday, with 59 points out of a total 60 from their redemption dance and freestyle performance.
Paige and Mark earned 30 points for their salsa and jive fusion set to “Little Bitty Pretty One” by Thurston Harris.
“I just want to write a thank you. To all the people who have been there for me and supported me. To all the amazing emails and messages from all of you telling me that I can do this and I can make it,” Paige wrote a few days before the finals to her fans.
She added, “I have struggled with confidence issues for most of my life and embarking on this journey was very scary for me. I could not have expected so much love. I would not be able to carry on with out all the positive support. Thank you all so much. I am going to push on. All for you! Thank you!”
Mark Ballas gets emotional while cradling partner Paige VanZant during part one of the Dancing With the Stars finale on Monday night (May 23) in Hollywood.
The duo received a perfect score for their Freestyle dance set to “Over the Rainbow” by Mark‘s fiance BC Jean.
“Thank you to my beautiful fianc� @BCJean 4 singing ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ for us tonight. It’s a moment I’ll never forget. #DWTS,” he tweeted.
They also nailed a 29 for their “Fireball” Salsa number.
15+ pics inside of Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas dancing in the finals… More Here! »
Paige VanZant was just pure magic during the finals on Dancing with the Stars on Monday (May 15) from Los Angeles.
The 22-year-old UFC fighter and partner Mark Ballas recruited his fiance BC Jean to perform “Over the Rainbow” for their performance.
Mark was so moved by their performance, he was crying as they awaited the judges’ comments.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Paige VanZant
Paige and Mark earned 30 points out of 30, from the judges, giving them a score of 59 for the total night.
Team PowRightInTheKisser will need your votes to win the mirrored ball trophy. So call 1-800-868-3610 now!
Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas were on fire on the dance floor during the finals on Dancing with the Stars on Monday (May 23) from Los Angeles.
The 22-year-old UFC fighter and Mark were able to re-do another Salsa dance, as he had to sit out earlier in the season because of a back injury.
Paige and Mark danced to “Fireball” by Pitbull, and earned XXXXX points.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Paige VanZant
Paige and Mark earned 29 points out of 30, from the judges.
Team PowRightInTheKisser will need your votes to win the mirrored ball trophy. So call 1-800-868-3610 now!
A congrats is in order for Paige VanZant!
The 22-year-old UFC fighters and Dancing With the Stars finalist has joined the cast of the upcoming movie Kickboxer: Retaliation, according to Deadline.
Paige will play “Gamon, a 26-year-old with high-level fighting and shooting skills with some strong criminal connections too.”
This is her first acting role, which was reportedly written just for her.
“Paige is the up-and-coming darling of the UFC and her star quality shines through on camera,” producer Rob Hickman told the site. “She’s a tremendous asset to the film both as an onscreen talent and as a trainer fighter.”
Congrats, Paige!
