Honestly, if you weren't watching the Dancing with the Stars Season 34 finale on November 25, 2025, you missed one of the most emotional nights in the show's history. It wasn't just about the glitter or the spray tans this time. It felt like something bigger. When Alfonso Ribeiro finally leaned into the mic to announce who won Dancing with the Stars this year, the tension in the room was actually thick.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson took home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
It’s kind of wild when you think about it. Exactly ten years ago, his sister Bindi Irwin won the same competition. Now, Robert has secured his own win, making them the first-ever sibling duo to both have Mirrorballs sitting on their mantels. Watching him break down in tears while holding that trophy—man, it was a lot. He kept saying he wanted to make his dad, the late Steve Irwin, proud. Safe to say he did.
The Final Leaderboard: How It All Shook Out
The finale wasn't a runaway victory by any means. In fact, it was the opposite. Julianne Hough mentioned during the broadcast that the gap between first and second place was the narrowest they’ve ever seen. We’re talking razor-thin.
Here is how the top five finished:
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- Robert Irwin & Witney Carson (Winners)
- Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy (Runners-up)
- Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa
- Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach
- Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten
It’s sort of a bummer for Alix Earle fans because she actually topped the leaderboard with a perfect score of 90 across her three dances. Robert ended with an 89 because Carrie Ann Inaba caught a tiny stumble in his Quickstep and gave him a 9. But the fan vote is a beast. Robert’s popularity, especially with the "Irwin factor," pushed him over the edge.
That Rib Injury Almost Ruined Everything
What most people didn't realize until the packages aired was that Robert was basically dancing on one leg—well, one set of ribs. He’d been dealing with a progressive rib injury all week. There was a point in rehearsals where a medic basically told them to scale it back or risk a total break.
Witney had to modify the choreography for their Quickstep to "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" just so he could breathe. He looked terrified during the Instant Dance round, too. They drew the Cha Cha—the one dance Robert admitted he never truly understood. Despite a visible hiccup where he momentarily forgot the steps, the judges (surprisingly) gave him a perfect 30 for it.
People on social media were definitely split on that. Some felt the judges were too lenient because of his "journey," while others argued his showmanship was just that good.
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The Moments That Defined the Season
This season felt different because the cast was so eclectic. You had an Olympic gold medalist in Jordan Chiles, who performed what Carrie Ann called "the best freestyle in 20 seasons." She brought out Normani for a routine to "Motivation," and it was pure fire. Then you had Dylan Efron, who basically became the "shirtless wonder" of the season, and Elaine Hendrix, who at 55, proved she could out-dance people half her age.
Why the Vote Was Record-Breaking
ABC reported that the finale alone brought in 72 million votes. Across the whole season? Over half a billion. That’s insane. A lot of that is thanks to the "Alix Earle effect." Her massive TikTok following showed up in droves.
But Robert had the legacy vote. He had Russell Crowe recording video messages for him and his mom, Terri, cheering from the front row. It was a collision of old-school TV nostalgia and new-school social media influence.
What’s Next for the Mirrorball Champ?
Now that the confetti has settled, Robert is back in Australia. He’s already been spotted at Australia Zoo showing the Mirrorball to koalas and snakes, which is the most Robert Irwin thing ever.
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As for the show itself, Season 35 hasn't been officially greenlit by Disney+ and ABC yet, but given those 72 million votes, it’s a total no-brainer. They’d be crazy not to bring it back.
If you’re looking to catch up on what you missed or want to relive the Irwin victory, here are a few things you should actually do:
- Watch the Freestyles: If you only watch one dance, make it Jordan Chiles’ freestyle. It’s a masterclass in athleticism.
- Check the GMA Interviews: Robert and Witney did a "morning after" interview on Good Morning America where they talk about the rib injury in much more detail.
- Follow the Tour: Several of this year’s finalists are rumored to be joining the DWTS Live tour in early 2026, so keep an eye on ticket releases if you want to see them in person.
The 2025 season of Dancing with the Stars reminded everyone why this show sticks around. It's not really about the footwork; it's about the heart. And this year, Robert Irwin had more of it than anyone else.