‘Dancing With The Stars’: Laurie Hernandez & Val Chmerkovskiy On Their Mirrorball Win!

Laurie Hernandez and pro Val Chmerkovskiy are the
“Dancing with the Stars” Season 23 mirrorball champs.

Backstage, after the show, Laurie shared with Access
Hollywood’s Liz Hernandez her joy over winning the competition.

“This means the world to me. … I was able to go
through 11 weeks with Val, and because of this show, I feel like I really
sprouted as a person,” Laurie said. “And I’ve gotten to figure out
different pieces of myself that I didn’t realize existed because we were able
to — we had to act every single week. And it was a great experience.”

WATCH: ‘Dancing With The Stars’: Laurie Hernandez & Val Chmerkovskiy On Their Mirrorball Win!

Val said working with Laurie, the second celeb partner he’s won a mirrorball with (he took home the mirrorball in Season 20 with Rumer Willis), was an “honor.”

“I’m very proud of her,” the pro told Liz. “I’m proud of the young lady that she turned into being on the show. … It’s been an honor to work with a young mind, especially such as Laurie, and I feel very, very fulfilled this season.”

PHOTOS: ‘Dancing’s’ Mirrorball Winners: They Came, They Danced, They Conquered!

Asked if she’ll put her mirrorball trophy next to her Olympic medals, Laurie told Liz it will occupy a special place in her home.

“Yes, but maybe I’ll stick it right in the middle of my house,” the gymnast and newly-crowned “DWTS” Season 23 champ said.

Laurie will follow her win by heading out on the “Dancing with the Stars Live!” tour.

“As a little kid, I always knew I loved to dance, and being on this show really clarified that for me. And I’m excited and I just hope to continue to inspire others as my journey of life keeps going on. And I’m glad I get to go on tour with them. This is so cool,” she said. 

— Jolie Lash