Australian conservationist Robert Irwin poured his heart into his “Dedication Night” performance on “Dancing With the Stars”. Robert Irwin and his pro partner Witney Carson delivered one of the most emotional performances of the show, performing a contemporary routine to “You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan in honor of his mother, Terri Irwin.
Disney“To be there for us and all the while continue Dad’s legacy that they built together… It’s incredible,” Robert said through tears.
“I’ve never been able to capture the degree of gratitude that I’ve felt for her.” At the end of the dance, Terri joined her son on the ballroom floor for a tearful embrace as the crowd erupted in applause, while Bindi Irwin wiped her eyes in the audience before joining them.
Fans Call Irwin a ‘Winner’: Here’s How They Reacted to the Emotional Performance
The heartfelt family moment moved the judges and viewers alike. Bruno Tonioli praised Robert for giving “all of your heart and soul,” while Carrie Ann Inaba called him “so honest,” saying, “If I ever had kids, I’d want them to be like Robert.”
Derek Hough added, “The world needs the Irwin family,” and Kym Johnson grew emotional, saying, “Terri, the end when you came in… it just got me.”
Fans, too, are in awe of Irwin’s performance.
“Robert Irwin Dancing with his mom. I’m a wreck but I know his dad is smiling down from above,” wrote one fan.
“Don’t even show us the rest of the dances idc,” another wrote. “Robert Irwin that mirrorball is yours.”
“So yeah no surprise Robert Irwin’s contemporary just destroyed me,” another fan wrote.
“Just an incredible expression of grief through art. Thank you for sharing your heart, Robert Irwin. ‘The world needs the Irwin family,'” wrote another.
Variety posted a video of “Robert Irwin getting comforted by host Julianne Hough and his fellow contestants after an emotional ‘Dancing with the Stars’ routine.”
Before his scores were revealed, Robert smiled through tears and said, “This is for all the moms out there that don’t get the recognition they deserve.”
He and Witney earned 35 out of 40, one of the highest scores of the season, for a dance that beautifully honored both his mom’s strength and his late father Steve Irwin’s enduring legacy.
Robert’s Sweet Tribute & Emotional Week
Ahead of his Week 5 routine on Tuesday, October 14, the 21-year-old took to Instagram to share a touching message for his mom, Terri Irwin, along with throwback photos featuring her, his sister Bindi, and his late father, Steve Irwin.
“Tonight I dance for my mum, the strongest person I know,” Robert wrote. “My mum and dad created a legacy that I’m proud to continue. I hope I can use this dance to share what she means to me, to our family, and to say thank you for always supporting me through life’s ups and downs. See you tonight.”
He and his partner, Witney Carson, performed a contemporary routine to “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins. Terri responded in the comments, “I love you forever and always. Together we are strong.”
n an earlier TikTok, Irwin revealed that preparing for his dance had been one of the hardest weeks of his DWTS journey.
“We’ve been working hard and I’ve been sort of tapping into emotions that I haven’t really gotten to share before, certainly not publicly,” he said. “I’ve been thinking a lot about my dad, I’ve been thinking a lot about the highs and the lows, the grief, the way my mom has helped me navigate that.”
Irwin’s father, Steve Irwin, died nearly 20 years ago after a stingray accident while filming an underwater documentary. Robert was just 3 years old at the time. “This dance has been the culmination of so much emotion,” he explained. “It’s for my mom, for anyone who’s lost someone, and for all the strong mothers of the world who deserve recognition.”
Dancing With Love, Legacy & Resilience
Ben Beaden/Australia Zoo via Getty ImagesThe Irwins’ star shared that the week had also been personally difficult after learning his dog, Stella, was diagnosed with cancer. “She was found to have a mass that ended up being cancerous,” he said. “She’s had surgery and is doing okay post-surgery. We’re still waiting to find out if it’s spread.”
Despite the challenges, Irwin called the experience “really beautiful.” “This dance has helped me process so much,” he said. “It reminded me how powerful love and family can be.”
He previously told People that performing on “Dancing With the Stars” has helped him feel closer to his late father. “I’m doing this to make him proud,” he said. “Dad gave everything he had in life, and that’s exactly what I want to do.”
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