Hannah Brown celebrates her 'Dancing With the Stars' victory: 'I'm in complete shock!'

Bryan Alexander | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption 'Dancing with the Stars' cast in tears after shocking elimination A shocking elimination had the remaining "Dancing with the Stars" couples in tears.

LOS ANGELES — Hannah Brown did not find a happy reality show ending on "The Bachelorette."

But the 25-year-old Alabama native found it on the dance floor, taking the Mirror Ball Trophy on the "Dancing With the Stars" finale Monday night with her pro partner, Alan Bersten.

Although she was the odds-on favorite to win, Brown still expressed surprise while sprinting and talking to USA TODAY as the new champion. Brown was headed for a plane to New York City to celebrate the win.

"I'm in complete shock," Brown said, weaving past well-wishers, still in her shining gold dance outfit.

Her "Bachelorette" season ending with Brown getting engaged to Jed Wyatt, finding out the truth about Wyatt's dubious romantic past and ending that relationship on TV. Brown said Monday that all of her past reality show turmoil was worth it as her Viennese waltz and freestyle dances put her over the "DWTS" top in the end.

"I never understand the plan that the Lord has given me," said Brown. "But it's so cool, because He keeps reminding me that I am on the right path. He reminds me with little things and big things. And tonight was huge celebration and knowing I'm in the right place I need to be."

"It's just all working out the way its supposed to," she added with a smile. "Even though there's been ups and downs."

Whereas performance issues have plagued her in the past, Brown said she had no problem dancing in the heated finals against three other celebrity couples.

"I've always been so nervous before I perform. It's probably been one of the biggest struggles that I've had. Letting those fears get into the way of the dance," she said. "But going into tonight's performance, I felt all that dissipate."

She was able to dance "from the heart" without caring in both numbers. She was not bothered that a small foot fault caused her to lose judges' points in the waltz.

"I didn't care about the steps. I cared about enjoying it and living in the moment," said Brown. "It made this win feel really, really awesome. I knew I gave it my all, I gave it my heart."

Even waiting for the final judges' decision with eventual runner-up Kel Mitchell was not nerve-wracking for Brown. She hugged partner Bersten while waiting for the results.

"I had a sense of peace I've never had before," said Brown. "And it made even more of a shock and amazing moment I will never forget."

Further in an added twist, it was revealed during the program that Brown will appear on upcoming "The Bachelor" with Peter Weber, who placed third in her "Bachelorette" season.