Season 34 of “Dancing with the Stars” has caught the attention of television viewers  everywhere, with viewership up 19% since last season. The 3-hour finale is set to premiere Nov. 25,  leaving fans and contestants anxiously waiting to see who will take home the beloved mirrorball trophy.

This year’s cast features major stars, including TikTok influencer Alix Earle, Olympian Jordan Chiles and wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin. But as the countdown to the finale ticks down, all of them face the possibility of elimination.

“Dancing with the Stars” celebrities are saved from elimination based on the combination of fan votes and judges’ scoring of their dances. This means those who progress through the show aren’t exclusively the best dancers, as fan votes can help anyone pull ahead.

One exemplification of this is Andy Richter, who is known for playing Mort in “Madagascar.” During his time on “Dancing with the Stars,” he has accumulated multiple Tiktok fan pages and is often referred to online as “the people’s princess.” 

However, Richter’s standing in the show is a contentious topic, as some viewers don’t believe he’s a strong enough dancer to have made it this far as he consistently ranks low among judges’ scores.

Regardless, Richter brings a smile to people’s faces and will likely be in the top three if he keeps securing fan votes at such a tremendous rate.

Earle is another celebrity with heavy fan support. She gained fame during her time at the University of Miami where she became a beauty and lifestyle influencer. Her and her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, make for a dynamic pair and are exciting to watch week after week.

Earle’s dance prowess and online fanbase, gives her a good chance of also securing a spot in the top three.

Elaine Hendrix, who is known for her role as Meredith Blake in “The Parent Trap,” feels like  the underdog of the season. She worked as a dancer in the 90s and brings energy and creativity to her dances. However, she was hospitalized midseason due to a recurring rib injury. Thankfully, she has since recovered.

Although she is underrated by viewers and the judges, I think she still has a strong chance at rising to the final three.

As for Chiles, her experience as an Olympic gymnast gives her an obvious athletic advantage over the other contestants. She and her partner, Ezra Sosa, received their first 10s of the season during Week 6. 

She’s a strong performer, but it feels like she is often overlooked by the judges and scores lower than contestants she consistently outperforms. However, if Chiles keeps up the momentum that earned her and Ezra their first 10s, she definitely has a chance to surpass other contestants.

Another contest who will likely go far is Irwin. He went from filming “Crikey! It’s the Irwins” at the Australia Zoo to chasing the same success as his sister, Bindi Irwin, who won Season 21 of “Dancing with the Stars.” He is adored by fans and judges alike, and consistently scores top marks week after week, making him a force to be reckoned with.

In one of many stunning performances, Irwin showcased a powerful tribute dance dedicated to his mother, Terri Irwin. The piece included a heartfelt moment where Irwin’s mother danced with him onstage, honoring how she raised him after the death of his father, Steve Irwin. This wowed the judges and caused an influx of viewer admiration.

Irwin’s ability to lift and perform complex tricks with his partner, Witney Carson, is also quite impressive and well beyond what other contestants are doing thus far. He has no prior dance experience, but still continues to stun the audience with his skill and stage presence.

Whitney Leavitt, a reality TV personality from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” is also moving up in the ranks in recent weeks. She is a lifelong dancer with extensive ballroom experience, which is made apparent in the way she effortlessly glides around the stage with her partner Mark Ballas.

Leavitt has consistently topped the leaderboard, pulling ahead with her flawless technique and intoxicating stage presence. However, her controversial television personality makes her a toss up for fan votes.

But even with the fan and judge favorites, “Dancing with the Stars” is ultimately a very unpredictable competition. Dancers can greatly improve or face a detrimental setback at any time.

As the ranks stand right now, I predict that Robert Irwin takes home the mirrorball with Alix Earle and Andy Richter coming in second and third, respectively. 

Irwin’s impressive dance ability coupled with his strong fanbase should land him in the top spot if he keeps performing consistently in the coming weeks. Earle and Richter also have the opportunity to move up if they rally their fanbases and continue improving their performances.

But as the season concludes, it’s anyone’s game. The mirrorball is never guaranteed.