Dancing with the Stars - Jazz Thornton excerpt (Series Nine Final)

Mental health advocate Jazz Thornton and dance partner Brad Coleman receive glowing reviews for their two-step in the finale of Dancing With the Stars — not knowing yet they would be the season's winners. Thornton's work supporting young people with mental illness saw her crowned the 2021 Young New Zealander of the Year. Thornton raised money for youth development charity Youthline and spoke candidly about suicide prevention during her time on the show. The judging panel consists of drag queen Elektra Shock, dancer Lance Savali and dancer Karen Hardy from the UK's Strictly Come Dancing. 

It’s an entertainment show but to be able to bring that aspect into it, and to normalise the conversation around mental health and normalise the conversations around suicide … it was really cool for Dancing with the Stars to even agree to do that.

– Contestant Jazz Thornton on being able to highlight her mental health work on Dancing with the Stars, Stuff, 30 May 2022

Key Cast & Crew

James Luck (aka Elektra Shock)

Judge

Karen Hardy

Judge

Jazz Thornton

Contestant

Lance Savali

Judge

Brad Coleman

Contestant

Clint Randell

Presenter