Last night on Dancing with the Stars’s “Wicked Night,” the ballroom was transformed into a dazzling Emerald City — and at its heart: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, delivering a show-stopping jazz routine set to “Dancing Through Life.” Their performance was pure theatrical magic — full of energy, joy, precision and storytelling — and it absolutely lit up the night.

An Ambitious Theme, A Perfect Fit

The theme of the evening revolved around the beloved musical Wicked and its upcoming film adaptation. The ballroom’s set-up leaned into that world — green lighting, stylized staging, a full ensemble of backup dancers — and Irwin & Carson embraced it all. EntertainmentNow+1

When the first notes of “Dancing Through Life” began, the crowd sensed something special. The duo didn’t just dance — they inhabited the story. Lifts, spins, synchronised kicks and character-driven moments created a performance that felt like a theatrical number, not just a ballroom routine. EntertainmentNow+1

Chemistry, Growth & Trust

Robert Irwin, best known for carrying on his family’s conservation legacy, has shown surprising versatility on this season of DWTS. From his stellar debut jive to last week’s emotional tribute, he’s been steadily leveling up. news.com.au+1
Witney Carson, a veteran of the show, has taken on the role of mentor with elegance — guiding Irwin’s progress week after week. Their partnership now radiates confidence and mutual respect, which translates into a seamless performance in the ballroom. EntertainmentNow+1

A Daпce for the Stroпgest Womaп He Kпows

What makes this performance stand out is that past the technique, you could sense trust: Robert leaned into every lift and spin with full faith in Witney, and she choreographed to showcase his strengths. The result? One we’ll be talking about for weeks.

‘We пeed it more thaп ever’

A Rousing Reaction & Buzzing Viral Moment

As the final counts ended and the music faded, the ballroom erupted into a standing ovation. Judges gave Irwin and Carson near-perfect marks — 36/40 (9’s across the board) for their Week 6 routine. Wikipedia+1
Online, the reaction has been equally electric. Fans have flooded social media, trending hashtags, reaction videos and clips that instantly exploded. The performance has already hit over 23 million views as it circulates — a sure sign of its impact.
And it wasn’t just the numbers: online commentary applauded the performance as “10/10,” calling it arguably the finest jazz routine of the season so far.

Why It Works

• Narrative Driven: Their dance wasn’t just steps — it told a story. The theme of “Dancing Through Life” became literal: playing with joy, spontaneity and showmanship.

• Technical Execution + Theatricality: The lifts, transitions and jazz styling were executed cleanly, yet seemed effortless. That blend is hard to master.

• Clear Characterization: Robert didn’t just dance as Robert — he embodied a character within the “Wicked” universe. That level of commitment elevates a routine.

  

• Emotional Connection: Whether it was through Robert’s expressive facial work or the way Witney framed his movements, there was a genuine sense of connection — with each other and the audience.

• Moment-Making: This performance made that intangible “wow” impression. It will likely be referenced in future episodes and promos.

What It Means for Their Run

With a performance of this calibre, Irwin & Carson have firmly cemented themselves in the frontrunner conversation for the season. With competition escalating, this kind of standout number raises the stakes — for them and for their rivals.
Judges have already acknowledged Robert’s growth from week to week. He began the season with impressive athleticism (his debut jive prompted one judge to call it “probably the best first dance I’ve ever seen”). Yahoo+1
Now, combining that athleticism with artistry and storytelling, they’re showing not just potential — but momentum.

What to Watch Going Forward

• Song & Style Variety: Will they continue to pick routines that lean theatrical and thematic? Or surprise with pure ballroom elegance?

• Risk Taking: This week’s success might embolden them to attempt even more daring choreography — and the judges/audience will watch.

• Fan Engagement: With viral views already surging, the public vote could lean even stronger. Building that momentum matters.

• Consistency: A brilliant standout is great — but maintaining that level week to week is what often separates winners from also-rans.

Final Word

Published October 22, 2025

‘DWTS’ Hoпors ‘Wicked’