Helio and Julianne shine the brightest.

The "Dancing with the Stars" grand finale ended with a swerve as HELIO CASTRONEVES and JULIANNE HOUGH took home the championship honors, narrowly beating out competitors MELANIE BROWN and MAKSIM CHMERKOVSKIY for the coveted mirror-ball trophy and ultimate bragging rights.

"This is an incredible moment right now. I can't think," Helio stammered while being presented with the mirror-ball trophy and enfolding Julianne in a victory embrace. "I want to thank everybody."

The top-two couples entered the finale neck-and-neck with scores of 55 for Mel B. and Maksim, and 54 for Helio and Julianne. They proceeded to square off on the dance floor for one last set of judges' scores to determine the championship.

Mel. B and Maksim went first, reprising their favorite routine of the season, the mambo -- it turned out to be the perfect choice, earning the couple a score of 30 from the judges.

Judge LEN GOODMAN lavished praise upon Mel. B and her partner, enthusing: "You are an absolute revelation. This mambo was incredible, fabulous." BRUNO TONIOLI bellowed in agreement, "What can I say? Truly magnificent. You're a star!" And CARRIE ANN INABA was nearly left speechless by the routine, managing only, "You danced like you were born to do this," before hopping to her feet with a shriek.

Backstage, a breathless Mel B. admitted it would mean "absolutely everything [to win and] be embraced by America." Maksim held her upright and complimented, "Now she's queen of the floor."

Seemingly undaunted by the uphill challenge facing them, Helio and Julianne stormed the dance floor with a reprise of their quickstep. It, too, resulted in pure perfection, as the judges awarded them a score of 30 as well.

"That's what dancing's all about," Carrie Ann said. "Wow!" Bruno roared. And "you have taken a risk every time you've danced," Len admired. Backstage, Indy 500 champ Helio was ecstatic, saying, "This has been an amazing experience. I just want to thank everybody all over America."

With the judges' final scores in, Mel B. and Maksim clung to their one-point lead over Helio and Julianne at 85 to 84, respectively. But in the end, it was the peoples' vote -- accounting for 50% of the equation -- that propelled the race-car driver and his partner past the checkered flag for the huge win.

The evening began in similarly dramatic fashion as fellow finalists MARIE OSMOND and JONATHAN ROBERTS were ousted from the competition, finishing third in points in the wake of part one of the finale.

Marie took her elimination in stride, though, saying, "I am so pleased to be here at my age," and she gave special thanks to her professional dancing partner Jonathan, adding, "With everything I've been through the last 10 weeks, he's pulled me through."

The couple performed a farewell tango, as Marie's brother DONNY watched on, beaming.

The star-studded finale also featured appearances -- and in some cases, dances -- from many of this season's eliminated competitors, including JENNIE GARTH, soap star CAMERON MATHISON and boxer FLOYD MAYWEATHER, JR.. Singing sensation CELINE DION also lit up the evening with performances of two of her songs.