The ballroom was buzzing with emotion and nostalgia as “Dancing with the Stars” celebrated its 20th anniversary in spectacular style. After weeks of near misses, it was no surprise that Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson were the first to earn a perfect 40 this season. (But more 40’s followed soon after!)
Perfect Score That Made The Ballroom Cry
Their moving Foxtrot to Leona Lewis’ “Footprints in the Sand” served as a heartfelt tribute to Robert’s late father, Steve Irwin, and echoed the same routine his sister Bindi Irwin performed during her winning season 21 run.
As the dance came to an end, Bindi joined her brother and Witney on stage, embracing them as images from their childhood with Steve illuminated the ballroom floor. The touching moment brought the audience and judges to tears, making the performance one of the season’s most powerful highlights.
Judges Get Emotional Over Robert’s Tribute
Robert’s performance visibly moved the 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,” said Bruno Tonioli.
Derek Hough, who once partnered with Bindi, struggled to hold back tears as he reflected on the Irwin family’s legacy.
“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,” Hough said. “And you’re not just walking the path that he set, you are dancing it. And you’re dancing it beautifully.”
Returning guest host Tom Bergeron added, “Last time we saw each other, you were 11. You have grown into a star, Robert. You really have.”
More Stars Join the Perfect Score Club
After Robert and Witney’s 40/40, the energy in the ballroom only grew. Within minutes, three other couples matched their score: Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, and Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas.
For fans, it was a long-awaited celebration after weeks of near-perfect performances. But Robert’s emotional tribute remained the standout moment of the night, earning universal praise across social media.
Meanwhile, stars Elaine Hendrix, Jordan Chiles, and Andy Richter fell just shy of perfection with high but not flawless scores.
DWTS 20th Birthday Bash Continues
The “20th Birthday Party” episode brought a wave of nostalgia to “Dancing with the Stars,” opening with a dazzling number choreographed by Derek Hough that united current pros with several original season 1 dancers, including Alec Mazo, Louis van Amstel, and Edyta Śliwińska.
The celebration also included a heartfelt tribute to late members of the DWTS family, as Ezra Sosa and Rylee Arnold performed a touching routine to Lady Gaga’s “Always Remember Us This Way.”
With only two weeks remaining in season 34, featuring next week’s Prince Night semifinals and the three-hour finale on November 25, the competition for the Mirrorball Trophy is heating up. Still, for many fans, Robert Irwin’s emotional Foxtrot remains one of the most powerful moments in DWTS history.
Here’s a full recap of tonight’s episode.
