Robert Irwin, the 21-year-old wildlife conservationist and son of the legendary Steve Irwin, has won Dancing with the Stars Season 34, claiming the coveted Mirrorball Trophy on November 25, 2025. This historic victory comes exactly 10 years after his older sister Bindi Irwin won the same competition in 2015, making the Irwin family the first to have two siblings win the iconic dance show.Table of Contents
- Robert Irwin DWTS Season 34 Winner
- The Finale Night Performances
- Robert Irwin’s Rib Injury Drama
- Final Scores and Results
- Emotional Tributes to Steve Irwin
- Runner-Up Alix Earle’s Perfect Score
- The Complete Season 34 Final Rankings
- The Irwin Family Legacy on DWTS
- FAQs About DWTS Season 34 Finale
Robert Irwin DWTS Season 34 Winner
The Dancing with the Stars Season 34 finale aired on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, with five celebrity contestants competing for the prestigious Mirrorball Trophy. Robert Irwin, paired with professional dancer Witney Carson, emerged victorious after an emotional three-hour finale that showcased some of the most memorable performances in the show’s history.
The 21-year-old Australian wildlife conservationist captivated audiences throughout the season with his dedication, charisma, and natural dancing ability. His journey on the show was particularly poignant given his family’s history with the competition — his sister Bindi won the same trophy exactly a decade ago in 2015.
The Finale Night Performances
The finale featured three rounds of dancing for each couple: the Judges’ Choice round, the Instant Dance Challenge, and the Freestyle round.
Judges’ Choice Round
Derek Hough assigned Robert and Witney a Quickstep to “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet. Despite dealing with a painful rib injury sustained during rehearsals, Robert delivered an exceptional performance. Hough praised him as the “quickstep king,” noting that his frame was robust and his movement across the floor was exceptional.
The couple received a score of 29 out of 30 for this performance, with judges awarding two 10s and one 9.
Instant Dance Challenge
In the high-pressure Instant Dance round, where couples are informed of their dance style and song just minutes before performing, Robert and Witney performed a Cha-Cha to “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE.
Robert initially hesitated about performing the cha-cha, but the duo pulled through brilliantly, earning a perfect score of 30 out of 30.
Freestyle Performance
For their final performance, Robert and Witney delivered an emotionally charged Freestyle routine set to a mashup of “Black & Gold” by Sam Sparro and “The Nights” by Avicii. The performance was packed with dramatic lifts, incredible flips, and choreography that told the story of their journey throughout the season.
The judges were visibly moved by the performance, and the couple earned another perfect score of 30 out of 30, bringing their finale total to an impressive 89 out of 90.
Robert Irwin’s Rib Injury Drama
Just hours before the finale, Robert’s partner Witney Carson revealed on TikTok that Robert had been dealing with a significant rib injury. “Robert’s ribs have been killing him,” she shared with fans, explaining that they had to modify several elements of their routines to accommodate his condition.
During the finale episode, Robert explained the nature of his injury: “I’ve been experiencing rib discomfort because the intercostal muscles are under significant strain. It has progressively worsened.”
Despite the pain, Robert refused to let the injury hold him back. Carson expressed her concern, stating that “ultimately, his health is my main concern,” but acknowledged that she knew Robert would want to “rehearse until the very last second.”
She added that getting to dance with Robert this season has been “the biggest gift,” praising his determination and spirit throughout the competition.
Final Scores and Results
The finale combined judges’ scores with audience votes to determine the winner. Here’s how the finalists performed:
| Contestant | Professional Partner | Judges’ Choice | Instant Dance | Freestyle | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Irwin | Witney Carson | 29/30 | 30/30 | 30/30 | 89/90 |
| Alix Earle | Val Chmerkovskiy | 30/30 | 30/30 | 30/30 | 90/90 |
| Jordan Chiles | Ezra Sosa | 30/30 | 29/30 | 30/30 | 89/90 |
| Dylan Efron | Daniella Karagach | 28/30 | 29/30 | 29/30 | 86/90 |
| Elaine Hendrix | Alan Bersten | 28/30 | 28/30 | 29/30 | 85/90 |
Despite Alix Earle achieving a perfect 90/90 from the judges, the audience votes tipped the scales in Robert Irwin’s favor, ultimately crowning him the Season 34 champion.
Emotional Tributes to Steve Irwin
Throughout his DWTS journey, Robert made consistent efforts to honor the memory of his late father, Steve Irwin, the beloved “Crocodile Hunter” who passed away in 2006.
Robert revealed that he wore two special “good luck charms” during every rehearsal: a ring made of keys to his childhood home and his father’s old shirt. Despite the shirt featuring “a few holes and tears and missing buttons,” Robert refused to have it repaired, saying: “Each one of the tears and holes tells another story. I guess it’s a good example for how dad lived his life: At 100%.”
Upon winning the Mirrorball Trophy, Robert paid tribute to both his father and sister, stating: “My sister said it best: Thank you for changing my life!”
Witney Carson also expressed her gratitude, saying: “I’m so grateful for Robert, honestly — I already feel like I won with him as my friend and I can’t thank you enough.”
Runner-Up Alix Earle’s Perfect Score
Influencer and content creator Alix Earle, paired with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, delivered stunning performances throughout the finale, achieving a perfect score of 90 out of 90 from the judges — the highest technical score of the night.
Despite her flawless execution, Earle finished in second place after the audience votes were factored in. Her journey on the show was marked by consistent improvement and emotional growth, with judges praising her transformation from a dance novice to a serious contender.
Earle’s performances throughout the season included memorable routines that helped her earn multiple perfect scores, including a stunning Viennese Waltz to “Purple Rain” that left judges in tears.
The Complete Season 34 Final Rankings
Here are the official final placements for DWTS Season 34:
1st Place: Robert Irwin & Witney Carson — Mirrorball Trophy Winners
2nd Place: Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy
3rd Place: Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa
4th Place: Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach
5th Place: Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten
Notably, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles impressed throughout the competition with her athletic abilities and charisma. Dylan Efron, brother of actor Zac Efron, also proved to be a fan favorite during the season.
The Irwin Family Legacy on DWTS
Robert’s victory cements the Irwin family’s remarkable legacy on Dancing with the Stars. Bindi Irwin won Season 21 in 2015 when she was just 17 years old, also partnered with Derek Hough. Her victory came nine years after her father Steve’s tragic death, and she dedicated her win to his memory.
Now, a decade later, Robert has followed in his sister’s footsteps, creating a unique piece of DWTS history. The Irwins are the first sibling pair to both win the Mirrorball Trophy, a testament to their family’s natural talent and the enduring love audiences have for the Irwin family.
What’s Next for the DWTS Tour?
Following the finale, it was announced that the upcoming Dancing with the Stars Live Tour will feature special appearances from several Season 34 contestants. Danielle Fishel, Andy Richter, and Elaine Hendrix have been confirmed for the tour, along with surprise appearances from the finalists.
The tour is expected to travel across the United States in early 2026, giving fans the opportunity to see their favorite DWTS moments recreated live on stage.
FAQs About DWTS Season 34 Finale
Q1: Who won Dancing with the Stars Season 34?
A: Robert Irwin won Dancing with the Stars Season 34 with his professional partner Witney Carson. He received the Mirrorball Trophy on November 25, 2025.
Q2: What injury did Robert Irwin have during the finale?
A: Robert suffered a rib injury during rehearsals for the finale. He explained that his intercostal muscles were under significant strain, but he pushed through the pain to deliver his performances.
Q3: Did Alix Earle get a perfect score?
A: Yes, Alix Earle achieved a perfect score of 90 out of 90 from the judges during the finale. However, when audience votes were combined with judge scores, Robert Irwin won the competition.
Q4: Is Robert Irwin related to Bindi Irwin who also won DWTS?
A: Yes, Robert Irwin is the younger brother of Bindi Irwin, who won Dancing with the Stars Season 21 in 2015. Their father was the legendary wildlife expert Steve Irwin.
Q5: What songs did Robert Irwin dance to in the finale?
A: Robert performed a Quickstep to “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet, a Cha-Cha to “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE, and a Freestyle to a mashup of “Black & Gold” by Sam Sparro and “The Nights” by Avicii.
Q6: Who came in second place on DWTS Season 34?
A: Alix Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy came in second place, despite earning a perfect score from the judges.
Q7: How did Robert Irwin honor his late father Steve Irwin during the competition?
A: Robert wore two special items during every rehearsal: a ring made of keys to his childhood home and his father Steve’s old shirt. He said the shirt’s holes and tears represent how his dad lived his life “at 100%.”
Conclusion
Robert Irwin’s Dancing with the Stars Season 34 victory is more than just a competition win — it’s a heartwarming continuation of the Irwin family legacy. Ten years after his sister Bindi lifted the Mirrorball Trophy, Robert has added his name to DWTS history, all while honoring the memory of his beloved father Steve Irwin.
Despite battling a painful rib injury throughout the finale, Robert’s determination, natural dancing ability, and connection with partner Witney Carson resonated deeply with audiences across America. His emotional performances, combined with his genuine personality and unwavering spirit, made him a deserving champion.
As Robert himself said upon winning, echoing his sister’s words from a decade ago: “Thank you for changing my life!”
