They were equally good but the public appreciated that Helio started from zero with no stage experience of any kind. He came the farthest and as a couple, he and Juliane were more likable. Great show and great finish.

Bob, Dayton, OH

I love love love dancing with the stars but i wish they could figure out another system for voting. the fact that marie osmond stayed as long as she did was purely a popularity contest. same with jayne seymour. it makes the show lose credibility. maybe it should be a 60/40 system. I
also remember several times the judges giving the same score for a performance to marie or jayne as mel.........come on. Also dancers at the beginning should be on a level playing field. no wayne newton or jerry springers.

sandy scarpato, phila, pa

I totally loved Mel B and was very disappointed that she lost, i thought she was the clear winner. Mel and Maks you guys the winners in my books!!! St. Lucia loves you.

Sybil Noel, Castries, St. Lucia

MAKS and MEL B were robbed! They were perfection on the floor! I am an american, and I was appalled Mel and Maks did not make the FIRST place! They were the GREATEST! To hell with Dancing With The Stars! Never watching it again. Maks and Mel, you are the true winners.

Christopher, New York, New York

Mel B was definitely robbed. Even though the public supposedly has a 'say-so' in deciding the winner of the competition, there is always someone behind closed doors who really chooses. I honestly feel that race was an issue in determining the winner. Everyone knows that Mel B was the best dancer but racism is still very prevalent in today's society.
Why have judges if America decides on the winner? Why isn't the judging panel diverse? It's sad to say, but racism is definitely still alive and kicking within the US and hopefully that will change one day but at the rate the world is going, it does not look like it.....

Karen, Chicago, IL

I'm glad that Helio won he did a SUPERB job and has come a long way. I also think that Melanie did a good job so both of them are winners no matter what.

maria , ridgefield, new jersey

I will not watch dancing with the stars ever again. Why have judges on the show if the public votes counts more than the judges. anyone can see that Melanie B was the best dancer this season on dancing with the stars. There were much talk about sabrina being a good dancer, but she was not better than Melanie B.The show, i thought is a dancing show, not a popularity contest., but that's exactly what it is. Althought i like ball room dancing, i will not watch the show again.

Beatrice Williams, Detroit, Wayne

Althought i like ball room dancing, this is the last season i will watch the show. Everyone could see that melanie B was the best dancer on the show. Why have judges on the show if the public votes are going to count more than the judges. I really enjoyed watching Melanie B dance on the show.

Beatrice Williams, Detroit, Wayne

I am doubting my once favorite program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa, Christiansburg, VA

What's the big deal of all the coverage for Mel B. She lost. Where is the write up for Helio who left her in the dust.

What a slap in the face to the winner

Mary Eubanks, Cordova, usa/Tn

Mel B,
I was totally frustrated when "the Brazilero" won the cup, because YOU were the best "bailarina". You are an artist, a dancer, a huge singer, and want you to know that you are on top of my list based on the Dancing with the Stars.

Lourdes Cavalier, Palm Bch Gardens, West Palm B , USA

Although I truly like Helio as a dancer & a person, I was pretty disappointed that Mel B did not win.. She is a quintessential ballroom dancer. ' Was even more stunned though, that Sabrina was not in it for the long haul!! She was incredible..!

In the end...

Those without ANY previous dancing experience that have that intrinsic talent combined with personality seem to prevail...

That's a very good thing..!

Cindy

Cynthia E. Palmer, Holyoke, Ma USA

I'd like to know what happened to Mark Ballas's left arm. It looked like he pulled his shoulder out of socket or something. After he and Sabrina danced, he disappeared. There was some woman sitting behind Sabrina where he should have been. Did he go to the hospital? Is he alright? I can't find anything on the news about him.

Martha Stewart, Fort Smith, Arkansas

I think this was a complete rip just like last year and half of the other reality shows that America judges. Mel all around was the best dancer and the judges said it continuously. this is a DANCING competition not a "popularity and personality" contest. With every show I lose more and more interest

Mindy, Madison,

Mel B should have won. She and Max did the BEST overall dancing. We were sadly disappointed. Helio was good and did a great job but overall Mel B and Max were the BEST. My husband and I have been judges for dancing and feel it was too bad the voters picked the second best. overall dancer. BUT we must remember this is a popularity contest most of all. Please relate to Mel B and Max we still feel they were the winners

Diane Shepherd, Carson City, NV

I was really sad and angery that mel and her partner did not win I cried in the liveing room and bath room mel is the best singer and the verry best dancer of all and marie osmond showed off too much.. mel should have one. christeena

christeena, parsvillie, B>C

i watched each week for Helio i never seen him before the competition started but that smile and enthusiasm alone should have won it for him with no prior performing experience i think he did one hell of a job

chel demar, grunthal, manitoba

Melanie, not only were you embraced by America; But!!!! Canada as well.

Cyril, Kitchener,

It is ridiculous that Mel B did not win. Helio is cute and he did well but does anyone really believe that he was the best dancer? I agree that the judges should decide because it becomes a popularity contest, rather than a dance contest.

Mel B was fantastic and she deserved to win. It was the first time I've watched Dancing with the Stars and it was mainly of Mel. I will miss watching her and Max dance.

Everyone agrees she was the best ever - so why shouldn't she win? I love Marie Osmond but she got through on popularity not because she was the third best.

dd, Toronto, Canada

Popularity seems to frequently outweigh dancing ability, but I don't believe skin color has anything to do with it. Emmett Smith won a few seasons back (he improved A LOT during the season, but Mario was clearly the better dancer). As for Helio winning over Mel, the majority of the voters are women who are into happy/smiling men. I thought Mel should've won.

Jen, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Mel B was robbed and should have won. Helio has a nice smile, but Mel had the package.

I hope she knows there are plenty of people who accept and embrace her here in the US.

Have a great tour, Mel!

Linda, Chicago, IL

Helio did a very good job, but his partner both carried him and distracted most viewers from watching his actual dancing: Julianne Hough is too beautiful, dancing and otherwise, to ignore.

However, I really believe Mel B was the best and should have won. I might say differently had Sabrina been allowed to continue. Sabrina and Mel were the real standouts on the show. They also had amazingly talented and ambitious partners to choreograph and challenge them to new levels of excellence.

I too am disappointed with past winners and also think most previous season's second place winners should have won. That's the problem with popularity contests.

And pulllease! Jennie should have been number three! I really don't care about "entertainment." That's really a euphemism for you were bad but thanks for trying.

Fred Garvin, Washington DC, USA

Dancing with the stars is a dance show it should be judged by dance judges not the American public. If it is left up to the American people then the vote and the winner will have complexation protection.

The majority ofAmericans don't care if your the best. They will not let you win if you don't have the right complextion. America has a long way still to go when dealing with race. I will continue to pray for Americia because our down fall and destruction will come from race issues all across the board.

Vicki Wade, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Mel B was by far the better dancer....not that means a hoot to this show. Don't know if i'll be watching again next season - this is a farce. I'm sorry Mel and Max if you're reading this.

Tina, everett, WA

All three finalist were great. Marie made the show very entertaining. She was fantastic.I think Mel & Helio were the best dancers. Mel, no doubt the very best ever on the show, but Helio (With that smile), improved so much and with a partner like Julieanne who could not win. They all work so hard I think there should be some trophy for the 2nd & 3rd fianlist, instead of going home with nothing after all that hard work,
Great show, great season. Loved it!

Gigi Jo, Niagara Falls, New York

Excuse me but the title should have read Helio Castroneves wins Dancing with the Stars. Your article could not have been more baised toward that horrible Mel B with the bad attitude. Glad she lost!!! You never once acknowledge the great job Helio did even though he did not have prior dance experience. What a loser article. Helio us a champ in my book!!!

Kathy K, Indianapolis, In

Melonie you and Maks are the real Champion. I will mis your charm and good humor. You made the show worthy to watch each week. It true why are only men winning this competition. There is something very suspicious.

Vivian Croes, Oranjestad, Aruba

Your article failed to point out that Helio and Julianne also received a maximum total of 30 points for their final routine. You make it sound like Mel was robbed somehow. Helio was the audience favorite because he is a fine dancer, had more charisma than Mel (who frequently looked a bit scared), and comes from a non-show-biz background. Say what you want, but a singer/actor always comes into these shows with an advantage over the athletes.

Pat, Voorhees, NJ,

I also had problems voting on Monday evening - 3 of the busy signals were counted as votes and one of my votes for Mel B and Max went to Castroneves and Julianne. I feel that Mel B should definitely have won this competition because she was clearly the best dancer. Castroneves did a great job but clearly not the entertainer that Mel B is. I also feel that the Judges votes should count for more than they do because they are know what to vote for whereas the fans vote mostly on their favourite person and not necessarily on the professionalism of the dance.
Carol-Ann Tyner-Canada

Carol-Ann Tyner, Lloydminster, Alberta Canada

OMG I'm so mad mel b and her partner shoiuld of won this competition this is an outrage I called so many times the line was busy I wanted to cry when I saw the results that helio had won don't get me wrong they are good but theu should recount the votes make"s me so mad

Jeremy, Houston, Texas

Mel B, by far was the best dancer on the show. It is unfortunate that the show has become more about who can promote themselves better then about the actual dancing. Both Helio and Marie (please) where no where near the calibre of Mel B's dancing abilities!

Lazarou, Toronto, ON

Mel,
You are THE star with whom the others dance. Dancing With The Stars is really Dancing with Mel B. You did not lose. You have shown that you have a career as a solo artist, if you choose, to pursue. I would love to see you combine your dance talents with your singing and perform on Broadway. Perhaps you could develop a cabaret show. Congratulations. Votes most often reflect the most popular and not the most talented or deserving. People often vote for the one who is most like themselves (that is, mediocre) rather than vote for the best and most talented (of whom they are envious).

You are a star. Shine brightly. Keep dancing.

And, remember, the judges know more than the average American.

Cha-cha-cha

Katherine, Central Virginia, USA

I want to be sure Mel B knows what most of us already know, The best dancer doesn't always win the trophy on Dancing with the Stars. You are in good company with John O'Hurley and Mario Lopez. You were great and America does really accept you!

Mary , Pflugerville , TX

I think that while both Helio and Mel did a tremendous job, I am very happy with the outcome. I think it was fair and just. While Mel didn't have any ballroom training, being a spice girl must did give her some sort of dance training as you can plainly see on her previous tours and music videos so in my opinion, she did have somewhat of the upperhand as far as learning how to ballroom dance as opposed to Helio, who sat behind a steering wheel and drove a car. Not to say that that doesn't require a great amout of skill, but the same kind.

Elizabeth Eberth, pittsfield, usa

Mel B was more consistant and GRACEFUL than all of her
competitors.
Mel B you were the BEST Dancer on the show , you are a STAR,
on your tour you will prove a point to all the viewers who saw
something different from what I saw.
Congrats, YOU ARE THE BEST.

Lloyd K, Brooklyn, New York

I think the votes are off because out of 20 votes that I can vote I was only able to get in 14 because the busy signal counted as a call 4 times & on the 5th call it said I had reached my calling limit. Besides why are only men winning the competitiion when Mel was clearly the better dancer. Out of all the dancing with the stars only 1 woman won-Kelly, somethings not right.

Danielle Blue, Freeport, New York