Robert Irwin has capped off a remarkable run on the American version of Dancing with the Stars, taking home the coveted Mirror Ball trophy – a full decade after his sister claimed the same honour.
Partnered with professional dancer Witney Carson, the 21-year-old wildlife conservationist delivered consistently high-level choreography throughout the season, earning praise from judges and drawing a global following.
Irwin faced off against four finalists – influencer Alix Earle, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, actor Elaine Hendrix, and Dylan Efron, brother of Zac Efron – in a marathon three-hour finale where each pair performed three routines. Judges’ scores were then combined with audience votes to determine the winner.
Despite entering the finale with a rib injury, Irwin powered through, prompting Carson to adjust their routines.
He secured 29 out of 30 for his opening performance before achieving perfect scores for his final two dances. By the end of the night, he sat tied for second on the leaderboard with Chiles, earning 89 out of 90, just behind Earle’s perfect 90.
When audience votes were tallied, Irwin and Earle emerged as the top two – with Irwin ultimately taking the title.
The moment was emotional for the young performer, who cried onstage and reflected on his late father, Steve Irwin.
“I wish he could see it, I really wish he could be here,” he said.
The win arrives nearly 10 years after Bindi Irwin’s own Dancing with the Stars victory at age 17.
Now in its 34th season, the show averaged around six million same-day viewers, with younger audiences contributing to its strongest growth, Nielsen data reports.
Irwin’s routines also drew millions of YouTube views, far surpassing those of his competitors.
Irwin’s first appearance on the ballroom floor set the tone for his run – distinctly Australian, distinctly Irwin. Wearing his trademark khaki, he crouched on a 4WD while a kookaburra called, before ripping off his shirt and launching into a jive to Steppenwolf’s Born to Be Wild.
Throughout the season, he and Carson delivered a technically demanding tango, a smooth salsa, and a Wicked-themed jazz number to Dancing Through Life.
As the competition progressed, Irwin leaned further into the emotional core of his family story.
For “dedication night,” he performed a contemporary routine to You’ll Be In My Heart by Phil Collins, paying tribute to his mother Terri Irwin. In a standout moment, Carson stepped aside mid-performance, seamlessly replaced by Terri for the final section.
Post-show, Irwin reflected on the significance of the performance.
“My mum and dad were just … the ultimate team,” he told Entertainment Tonight.
“They created something so much bigger than themselves. In their love and passion, they created a legacy that I get to continue.”
He continued, “My mum and her strength … that’s the reason why I’m here. I can not even imagine – I can’t put into words – how proud my dad would be of her.
“And I truly feel in some way, I don’t know how, but I really feel in some way … that he’s here in some way. And I hope he’s proud.”
Weeks later, Irwin honoured his father again with a foxtrot to Leona Lewis’s Footprints in the Sand, echoing the tribute Bindi performed during her season.
A montage of Steve Irwin with a baby Robert played across the dance floor, bringing Irwin to tears. The routine earned perfect 10s across the board.
Afterwards, he described the moment as “healing.”
“I carry Dad’s legacy with me in every I do,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I’m a proud Wildlife Warrior, and I’ll always carry on my dad’s mission.”
Irwin’s win continues a rapid period of professional success.
In 2024, he stepped into co-hosting duties on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! alongside Julia Morris, becoming the youngest person to front the long-running series.
Months later, he scored a Gold Logie nomination – the youngest male nominee in the award’s history – though ultimately lost to Larry Emdur.
Earlier this year, his viral Bonds campaign, featuring Irwin posing in underwear alongside native reptiles, sparked a wave of new public attention.
“The defining moment I think for me when people kind of had an optical shift in the view of ‘Robert Irwin’ was when I got my kit off, got my gear off and did that ad,” he told People in September.
“All of a sudden, people kind of didn’t know how to react. I had people coming up to be like, ‘that’s … good for you!?’ Mostly my family!
“But it’s a new era, I want to embrace that I’m all grown up.”
Irwin’s Mirror Ball win – emotional, hard-fought, and watched by millions – now stands as another milestone in his evolving public life, marking a new chapter for the Irwin legacy.
Images: Instagram
