The season 34 finale of “Dancing with the Stars” culminated in a thrilling and emotionally charged victory for Robert Irwin and his professional partner, Witney Carson. The pair claimed the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy after a night of intense competition that pushed the finalists to their limits. The win marks a poignant family legacy, as Irwin’s sister, Bindi, also won the competition a decade ago, making them a unique pair of sibling champions in the show’s history.
The finale was structured around three demanding rounds designed to test every aspect of the dancers’ abilities. The couples first performed a Judges’ Choice routine, followed by an unpredictable Instant Dance where they had only minutes to prepare. The night culminated in the always-spectacular Freestyle round, where each pair pulled out all the stops with creative and energetic original routines. The winner was determined by combining the judges’ scores with live viewer votes from during the broadcast.
The announcement of the results revealed just how close the race was. After Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten placed fifth and Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach placed fourth, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa landed in third. The final two came down to Irwin & Carson and the duo of Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy. Judge Julianne Hough noted the margin was “one of the tightest” in the show’s history, building immense suspense before hosts declared Irwin and Carson the new champions.
The victory was met with a divided reaction from the show’s passionate fanbase online. While many celebrated Irwin’s win, calling it “well-deserved” and praising his journey from novice to champion, others cried “robbery,” arguing that either Jordan Chiles or Alix Earle should have won. This split opinion highlighted the subjective nature of the competition and the high caliber of all the finalists’ performances.
Beyond the glitter and trophies, Irwin’s journey was deeply personal. Throughout the season, he paid tribute to his late father, Steve Irwin, by wearing one of his father’s old shirts to every rehearsal. He shared that the garment, though worn and torn, felt “like a huge hug” and helped him feel connected to his family legacy. With the competition over, Irwin plans to return to his conservation work, proving that a ballroom champion can also be a dedicated Wildlife Warrior.
