MHS “THAT ONE’S FOR YOU, DAD.” — Robert Irwin COLLAPSES IN TEARS After Heart-Stopping Dancing With the Stars Tribute to Steve Irwin LEAVES JUDGES SOBBING, Audience on Its Feet, and the Entire Nation Crying — AND EARNS THE FIRST PERFECT SCORE OF THE SEASON!! No one was prepared for the emotional storm that unfolded on Dancing With the Stars. As Robert Irwin and partner Witney Carson began their foxtrot to “Footprints in the Sand,” the entire ballroom fell silent. By the final note, there wasn’t a dry eye left. The routine echoed his sister Bindi’s iconic tribute from ten years ago — but this time, it was Robert’s trembling voice, his heartbreak, and his undying love for his late father that filled the air. Then came the moment that shattered everyone. Bindi walked onto the stage mid-performance as unseen home videos of their childhood with Steve Irwin flickered beneath their feet. Robert dropped to his knees in tears. The judges were speechless — Derek Hough, through sobs, whispered, “You’re not just honoring him, Robert… you are him.” Bruno Tonioli called it “the most powerful moment in DWTS history.” When the scoreboard revealed a perfect 40 — the first of the season — the crowd didn’t cheer. They cried. Robert, hand over heart, looked up toward the sky and whispered, “That one’s for you, Dad.” It wasn’t just a dance. It was a resurrection of a legacy — and the night Dancing With the Stars became something much deeper than a show. 🌟
It’s a perfect score parade on Dancing With the Stars.
No doubt moved by the celebratory spirit in the air during Tuesday’s 20th birthday bash, perfect 40s have been haded out to not one, not two, but three couples. After nine long weeks of near misses, the curse has finally been broken by wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, with social media personality Dylan Efron, influencer Alix Earle, and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt close behind.
Irwin danced the foxtrot with partner Witney Carson to Leona Lewis’ “Footprints in the Sand” — an homage to the exact same number his sister Bindi Irwin performed on season 21, which she won.
At the end of the number, Bindi joined Robert and WItney on stage, wrapping their arms around each other’s shoulders and kneeling before scenes of their childhood with late father Steve Irwin projected onto the ballroom floor. All three began to cry, setting off an emotional chain reaction on the judging panel.
“That was so beautiful. It was a poetic, touching tribute that really touched all of us. I could not take my eyes off of you,” Bruno Tonioli told Irwin. Derek Hough, who led Bindi to victory a decade ago, stumbled through tears as he noted, “One thing I loved about your father is that he lived life with so much enthusiasm, and you, my friend, are this generation’s beacon of joy and enthusiasm. And you’re not just walking the path that he set, you are dancing it. And you’re dancing it beautifully.”
O.G. host Tom Bergeron, who returned to the ballroom for the 20th anniversary five years after his dramatic exit, added, “Last time we saw each other, you were 11. You have grown into a star, Robert. You really have.”
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Robert and Witney jumped, shouted, and cried even more after receiving their perfect 40. It was a powerful moment after so many couples got close this season. But Irwin only held onto his title for a few minutes, as Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy, Leavitt and her partner Mark Ballas, and Efron and his partner Daniella Karagach were all awarded top marks after their routines.
That left actress Elaine Hendrix, Olympian Jordan Chiles, and comedian Andy Richter in the minority with their measly near perfect scores. With just two weeks left to the season 34 finale, it’s anyone’s game.
Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, and streams the next day on Hulu.
