It happened. After weeks of spray tans, sequins, and some surprisingly decent footwork, the mirrorball has a new home. If you were watching the dancing with the stars finale results on that Tuesday night in late November, you know the vibes were basically electric. Robert Irwin—yes, the wildlife warrior himself—took the whole thing home. It’s kinda wild because his sister Bindi won exactly ten years ago. Talk about a family legacy.
Honestly, the finale was a massive three-hour marathon. We had five couples left, which is a lot for a finale, and they didn’t make it easy on them. They had to do three full routines: a "Judges’ Choice," an "Instant Dance," and the legendary Freestyle. By the time Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough got to the big reveal, 72 million votes had been cast. That is a lot of people hitting their phones.
Who Actually Won? The Final Standings
The night was basically a shootout between Robert Irwin and Alix Earle. While Alix was arguably the most improved and had a massive TikTok army behind her, the "Irwin factor" was just too strong. Robert and Witney Carson were crowned the winners of Season 34.
Here is how the final leaderboard shook out:
- Winners: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
- Runners-up: Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
- Third Place: Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
- Fourth Place: Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
- Fifth Place: Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten
The gap between first and second place was one of the tightest the show has ever seen. Julianne Hough even mentioned that it was basically a hair's breadth. Robert was emotional, obviously. He quoted his sister saying, "Thank you for changing my life," and people were definitely crying in the ballroom.
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The Dances That Defined the Night
The judges weren't holding back with the scores. You'd think they’d be nicer for the finale, but they were still nitpicking—at least until the Freestyles started.
The Freestyle Round
This is always the highlight. Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa basically set the floor on fire. Jordan did a routine to "Motivation" by Normani, and Normani herself actually showed up on stage. It was athletic, it was fierce, and Carrie Ann Inaba called it the best freestyle she’s seen in 20 years. They got a perfect 30, but somehow it only landed them in third place overall.
Alix Earle went for a "Maneater/Sports Car" mashup. It was sleek and felt very "brand" for her. Robert and Witney did a mix of "Black & Gold" and "The Nights." It was high-energy, and despite Robert having some rib pain—which Witney mentioned in the rehearsal packages—he didn't show it for a second.
The Instant Dance Challenge
This was the stress-inducing part. The couples didn't know their song or dance style until right before they went on. Alix Earle crushed a Cha Cha to earn a perfect score. Robert Irwin also got a 30 for his Cha Cha to "Cake by the Ocean," though he actually stumbled a bit. The judges were feeling generous because of his performance quality, but some fans online were definitely pointing out those footwork errors.
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Why Robert Irwin's Win Matters
It’s not just about the trophy. Robert winning Season 34 feels like a full-circle moment for the show. He was only 11 when Bindi won, and seeing him come back as a 21-year-old and dominate was a huge narrative win for ABC. He wasn't the best technical dancer—that was probably Jordan or Alix by the end—but he had that "it" factor.
Also, we have to talk about Witney Carson. This was her second mirrorball win. She’s been a staple on the show for so long, and her choreography this season really pushed Robert. He was the "Quickstep King," according to Derek Hough, and that's not a title you get easily.
The Stats and the Vibe Shift
The show had a bit of a resurgence this year. With 72 million votes in a single night and over half a billion for the whole season, Dancing with the Stars proved it still has some gas in the tank. The mix of celebrities was smart: an Olympian, a TikTok star, a wildlife expert, and the brother of a Hollywood A-lister (Dylan Efron).
Dylan Efron was actually the dark horse. Most people didn't expect him to make the finale, but Daniella Karagach is a wizard when it comes to choreography. They finished fourth, which is honestly impressive given where he started. And Elaine Hendrix—Meredith Blake herself—gave us all the nostalgia we needed, even if she finished fifth.
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Looking Forward to Season 35
Even though there hasn't been a formal "yes" from Disney or ABC yet, the ratings for this finale practically guarantee a return. The show found its rhythm again by leaning into high-production freestyles and casting people with massive, engaged fanbases.
If you’re looking to scratch that ballroom itch while waiting for the next season, the best move is to watch the pro tours. Most of the finalists usually show up as guests, and it's a good way to see the routines without the pressure of Carrie Ann's lift police. Also, keep an eye on Robert Irwin's socials—he’s likely going to be doing the talk show circuit with his new trophy for a while.
Your Post-Finale Checklist
- Check out the full clips of Jordan Chiles' freestyle if you missed the Normani cameo.
- Rewatch Robert and Witney's Quickstep to see why Derek called him the king of that style.
- Follow the pros on Instagram for the "behind the scenes" wrap-party footage that didn't make the broadcast.
The season is over, but the debate over whether the right person won will probably keep the forums busy until next fall.
Actionable Insights: To keep up with the dancers before Season 35, follow the official DWTS social channels for tour dates and casting rumors, which usually start bubbling up in late summer. You can also stream the entire Season 34 on Disney+ to catch the subtle technical improvements the finalists made between week one and the finale.