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Yamaguchi Wins 'Dancing,' Ends Men's Victory Streak

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 21, 2008

Kristi Yamaguchi came into the "Dancing With the Stars" finale with a perfect score and left with the mirrorball trophy.

Her victory over pro football star Jason Taylor broke the string of four consecutive male winners. The figure-skating champion was the first woman to claim the "Dancing" crown since the show's opening season.

"This is just the icing on the cake," Yamaguchi said after her victory Tuesday night. "I honestly thank all the fans out there ... everyone who's made this a dream experience."

Said Taylor: "I never, ever thought I would get to this point."

"Kristi is so deserving," he said.

Cristian de la Fuente was the first to be eliminated during the season finale. The actor, who ruptured a tendon in his biceps while performing on the show April 28, delayed the surgery necessary to repair it so he could continue on the hit ABC dance-off.

Each of the season's contestants returned to the ballroom for the season final. Tennis champ Monica Seles, magician Penn Jillette, radio personality Adam Carolla, R&B singer Mario and actors Marissa Jaret Winokur, Marlee Matlin, Priscilla Presley and Steve Guttenberg each reprised their last dances on the show.

Archuleta Delivers K.O., Cowell Says

The Arch triumphed on "American Idol," but this is still a democracy, after all.

David Archuleta brought his A-game on Tuesday's final sing-off, earning the praise of Simon Cowell, who called it a "knockout" performance.

If it were up to Cowell, he'd hand the doe-eyed teen from Murray, Utah, the "Idol" title right now. Archuleta out-sang competitor David Cook and has been the one to beat since the beginning of the Fox show's seventh season.

Cook, 25, of Blue Springs, Mo., delivered solid performances, rocking and emotional as usual - but didn't measure up to his 17-year-old rival. Archuleta performed as if it was his last gig on earth, singing the right songs for his smooth voice, hitting the right notes and squeezing the right amount of emotion from each lyric.

And yet, America's votes would decide. Results will be announced on today's finale.

Each David performed three songs in the live telecast, which opened with Michael Buffer ("Let's get ready to rumble!") introducing the finalists, who came out in boxing robes and gloves.

Three rounds later, Cowell made his traditional prediction: "You came out here tonight to win," Cowell said to Archuleta, "and what we have witnessed is a knockout."

Today's Birthdays

Rhythm-and-blues singer Ron Isley (The Isley Brothers) is 67. Actor Richard Hatch ("Battlestar Galactica") is 63. Comedian/radio talk show host Al Franken is 57. Actor Mr. T is 56. Actor Judge Reinhold is 51. Rapper Havoc (Mobb Deep) is 34.

CORRECTIONS

It is the policy of The Tampa Tribune to correct all errors of fact. To report an error, call (813) 259-7600.

CORRECTION: An employee for Stacy Bomar Construction, a My Safe Florida Home approved contractor, is charged with one count of forgery. The charge was incorrect in Sunday's Nation/World section.

CORRECTION: In 2007, 68 percent of young people killed in nighttime crashes were not wearing seat belts. A headline in Tuesday's Nation/World section was incorrect.

Source: The Associated Press

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