In a stunning and emotional finale, Robert Irwin has triumphed on Dancing with the Stars US, securing the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy a full ten years after his sister, Bindi Irwin, achieved the same feat.
The son of the late conservationist and television legend Steve Irwin, Robert partnered with professional dancer Witney Carson for the season, which culminated in a marathon three-hour final. Their victory was announced by host Alfonso Ribeiro, who declared, "The winners and new champions of Dancing With the Stars are… Robert and Witney."
A Triumph Against the Odds
Irwin's path to victory was not without significant physical hardship. He performed in the final while managing a painful rib injury that had been worsening throughout the competition.
"I've been dealing with rib pain; it's been getting progressively worse," Irwin revealed before the final performance. "If I pull something in the quickstep, I can't do the instant dance, I can't do the freestyle. But if I push any harder, my body's going to break." The pair were forced to adapt their choreography to accommodate his condition.
An Emotional Tribute to Steve Irwin
The win was an intensely emotional moment for the young Australian conservationist. After his performance, a tearful Irwin shared that his motivation was to honour his father's legacy.
"I wish he could see it, I really wish he could be here," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I wanted to make my dad proud."
Record-Breaking Votes and Narrow Victory
Co-host Julianne Hough confirmed that this season saw the highest voting numbers in the show's history. The competition was incredibly tight, with the gap between Irwin and the runner-up, social media influencer Alix Earle, being the narrowest ever recorded on the programme.
This was despite the judges' scores favouring Earle, who received a perfect score of 90. Irwin and fellow finalist, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, were tied with a score of 89. However, when the audience votes were tallied, it was the Australian who emerged victorious.
The other finalists in the intense competition included actor Elaine Hendrix and Dylan Efron, the brother of Hollywood star Zac Efron. While the show has sometimes been a platform for reputation management, Irwin was a consistently beloved figure throughout the season, captivating audiences with his dedication and heartfelt performances.
