The sparkles have finally settled. After weeks of spray tans, blistered toes, and enough sequins to be seen from outer space, the 34th season of Dancing with the Stars wrapped up in what was arguably the most emotional finale in the show's 20-year history. If you were betting on a specific wildlife warrior to take home the gold, you’re probably feeling pretty good right about now.
Robert Irwin and his pro partner Witney Carson officially won the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy for Season 34.
It wasn't just a win; it was a full-circle moment that had basically everyone in the ballroom—and at home—reaching for the Kleenex. Robert is now 21, but fans remember him as the little kid in the audience a decade ago when his sister, Bindi, won the same title. It’s wild to think they are now the first-ever siblings to both win the show. Honestly, the "Irwin Effect" is real.
The Night Robert Irwin Won Dancing with the Stars This Season
The finale on November 25, 2025, wasn't some breezy victory lap. It was a three-hour marathon. We’re talking three full rounds of dancing: a judges’ choice, a heart-stopping freestyle, and the "instant dance" challenge where couples find out their style and music live on air.
Robert and Witney had a lot of ground to cover. They kicked things off with a Quickstep to "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by Jet. Derek Hough basically called him the "Quickstep King," which is high praise coming from a guy who lived in that style for years.
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But it wasn't all perfect scores and smiles behind the scenes. It came out later that Robert was actually battling a pretty gnarly rib injury during those final rehearsals. Witney had to tweak the choreography at the last minute because he was in so much pain. You’d never have known it by looking at him, though. The kid has that Steve Irwin "keep going" energy.
Who Else Was in the Running?
This wasn't a one-man show. The competition this year was actually incredibly tight. Some seasons you can tell who is going to win by week three, but this time? It was anyone's game until the final envelope was opened.
- Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy (2nd Place): The social media powerhouse proved she wasn't just a "TikTok girl." She was technical, sharp, and had a massive fan base that poured in votes. Her freestyle to a mashup of "Maneater" and "Sports Car" was a total arena-level production.
- Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa (3rd Place): Fresh off the Paris Olympics, Jordan brought that elite athlete precision. Her Paso Doble to Rihanna’s "Breakin’ Dishes" was fierce, but she ended up in third.
- Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach (4th Place): Zac Efron's younger brother was the dark horse. He started the season a bit stiff but blossomed into a genuine contender. His contemporary dance earlier in the season was a standout moment.
- Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten (5th Place): The Parent Trap star overcame her own injuries to make it to the finale. At 54, she showed a lot of the younger contestants how it's done.
Breaking Down the "Instant Dance" Chaos
The "Instant Dance" round is usually where things fall apart. It’s the ultimate test of a pro's ability to teach and a celeb's ability to not panic. Robert and Witney drew a Cha Cha to "Cake by the Ocean."
It wasn't their best dance of the night. Even the judges noticed a few stumbles. But here is the thing about Dancing with the Stars: the leaderboard only accounts for 50% of the result. The other half is America's vote. Robert’s likability and that connection to his late father, Steve, seemed to bridge the gap where the footwork might have faltered.
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Alfonso Ribeiro announced before the winner was revealed that a record-breaking 72 million votes were cast during the finale alone. Across the whole season? Over 500 million. People were invested.
The Emotional Freestyle
If the Quickstep was about skill, the Freestyle was about soul. Robert and Witney performed to a medley of "Black & Gold" by Sam Sparro and Avicii's "The Nights."
Before the dance, a video package played featuring a message from Bindi and their mother, Terri. Bindi was crying. Terri talked about how Steve would be a "warrior on the ballroom floor" if he were there. By the time Robert finished the routine, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. He looked at the camera and said the win "changed his life," which is exactly what Bindi said ten years ago.
Why This Win Matters for the Show
DWTS has been around a long time. Season 34 felt like a return to form. Having someone like Robert Irwin win—someone who grew up in the show's orbit—brings a sense of nostalgia that "Legacy" viewers love.
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At the same time, having Alix Earle in second place shows that the show is successfully pulling in a younger, digital-first audience. The "Alix Earle Effect" brought millions of eyes to the screen that might never have watched a ballroom competition otherwise.
What happens next?
If you're already missing the Tuesday night glam, here is what you can do to stay in the loop:
- Check the Tour Dates: The Dancing with the Stars Live 2026 tour is hitting the road soon. Many of the finalists, including Robert (schedule permitting) and the pro dancers, usually join for select dates.
- Re-watch the Finale: If you missed the live broadcast, the full three-hour finale is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. It’s worth it just to see the pro routine to Ed Sheeran’s "Sapphire."
- Follow the Pros: Witney Carson often shares behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage on her TikTok and Instagram that never makes it to the ABC broadcast. It gives a much better look at the "rib injury" drama and how they worked around it.
Robert Irwin didn't just win a trophy; he cemented the Irwin family as the undisputed royalty of the ballroom. Not bad for a guy who spends most of his time with crocodiles.