Robert Irwin Dedicates Dancing with the Stars Victory to His Late Father: “I Wish He Could Be Here”

In a moment that blended triumph with tender remembrance, Robert Irwin captured the hearts of viewers around the world as he was crowned the champion of this season’s Dancing with the Stars. But beyond the glitter of the mirrorball trophy and the roar of the cheering audience, it was Robert’s emotional tribute to his late father, Steve Irwin, that became the defining moment of the night.

The 20-year-old wildlife conservationist and television personality stood center stage beside his professional dance partner as the judges announced the long-awaited results. As confetti rained down and applause filled the studio, Robert’s first instinct was not to celebrate himself, but to honor the man who shaped his childhood and continues to guide his life from beyond the grave.

“I wish he could see this. I really wish he could be here,” Robert said, his voice thick with emotion. The words, simple yet deeply heartfelt, resonated with millions of viewers who had followed his journey from the first episode. His tribute quickly went viral, with fans praising both his vulnerability and the quiet strength that has come to define him.

For Robert, the victory was never just about dancing. It was about storytelling—sharing pieces of his life, his family, and, most importantly, the legacy of his father, Steve Irwin, the beloved “Crocodile Hunter” who died tragically in 2006. Throughout the competition, Robert dedicated several performances to his father, each one infused with a gravity and emotional sincerity that extended far beyond choreography.

In backstage interviews shortly after the finale, Robert reflected on the personal weight of the experience. “This show has been a journey,” he said. “Every week, I felt like I was honoring Dad in some way—whether through my effort, my growth, or simply by putting my heart into something new. He always encouraged Bindi and me to challenge ourselves, to live life boldly, and to give our all. I tried to bring that spirit onto the dance floor.”

Longtime fans of the Irwin family know the bond between Robert and his father was profound, even though their time together was heartbreakingly brief. Robert was only two years old when Steve Irwin passed away, but he has spent his entire life carrying forward his father’s passion for wildlife conservation and his contagious love for adventure. Viewers of Dancing with the Stars watched as he channeled that energy into every performance, combining technical improvement with unapologetically raw emotion.

Fellow contestants and judges frequently praised Robert for his authenticity. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba described him as “a light on the dance floor,” noting that his storytelling ability set him apart. “There’s something about Robert,” she said. “He dances with his whole soul. You can feel that he’s dancing for someone he loves.”

His dance partner, whose guidance helped shape his remarkable transformation from rookie to champion, echoed that sentiment. “Robert walks into every rehearsal with gratitude,” she said. “He never complains, he never doubts himself—he just works hard and stays kind. And whenever things got tough, he’d say, ‘Dad would want me to keep trying.’ That’s the kind of person he is.”

The finale performance that sealed the win—an emotionally charged contemporary routine—left both the judges and audience visibly moved. The choreography symbolized resilience, memory, and the enduring presence of loved ones lost. As the final note played, Robert placed his hand over his heart and looked upward, a quiet gesture that many fans interpreted as a message to his father.

For the audience, it was impossible not to recall the parallel moment in 2015 when Robert’s sister, Bindi Irwin, won Dancing with the Stars and likewise dedicated her victory to their father. The Irwin siblings, now both champions of the show, have become symbols of strength, family, and the long-lasting impact of a parent’s love.

Following his victory, Robert expressed gratitude not only to his family and dance partner but also to the global audience that has supported him. “I’m so thankful for everyone who voted, who believed in me, who saw something in me,” he said. “I came into this competition terrified—I had never danced a day in my life. But this experience taught me that growth happens when you step into the unknown. Dad taught me that too.”

In the hours after the finale, social media erupted with messages celebrating Robert’s journey. Fans shared memories of Steve Irwin, posted emotional reactions, and praised Robert for continuing his father’s legacy with humility and grace. Many expressed how meaningful it was to see the Irwin family once again bring people together through authenticity and love.

Though the mirrorball trophy now sits proudly in his home, Robert insists that the true victory lies in the connection created with fans, his family, and the memory of his father. “Winning is incredible,” he said, “but honoring Dad—that’s what matters most. I hope he’s proud. I hope he’s smiling.”

As the season concludes, one thing is certain: Robert Irwin’s journey on Dancing with the Stars has become more than a reality-TV triumph. It is a touching reminder of the power of family, resilience, and the bonds that endure long after a loved one is gone.

And somewhere, perhaps, the Crocodile Hunter is watching—his son shining brightly, dancing with courage, and carrying forward a legacy built on love.

In short:

Robert Irwin, son of the late wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin, has won Dancing with the Stars US.

His win comes 10 years after his sister, Bindi Irwin, won her season of the celebrity dance competition show.

Irwin beat fellow finalists including influencer Alix Earle and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, among others.

Robert Irwin has shimmied his way to victory and won the American version of Dancing with the Stars, lifting the coveted Mirror Ball trophy a decade after his sister won the same title.

Paired with professional ballroom dancer Witney Carson, the 21-year-old wildlife conservationist and presenter pulled off impressive choreography week after week to win the series — and the attention of international audiences.

Irwin battled four other celebrities and their partners in the finale: influencer Alix Earle, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, actor Elaine Hendrix, and Zac Efron’s brother, Dylan Efron.

The marathon three-hour finale saw the five couples perform three dances, with the judges’ overall scores and audience votes being combined to determine the winner.

Irwin went into the final with a rib injury, requiring Carson to adapt their choreography, and was one point off a perfect score after his first dance of the night.

After receiving 29 points out of a possible 30 for his first dance, Irwin fought back to net a perfect score for his final two dances.

The son of the late Steve Irwin cried after his final performance and said he wanted to make his dad proud.

“I wish he could see it, I really wish he could be here,”

he said.

In 2015, Bindi Irwin won her season of the celebrity dance competition show when she was just 17.

Dancing with the Stars, now in its 34th season, averaged about 6 million same-day viewers, according to Nielsen data, with the biggest gains this year among younger audiences.

Irwin’s weekly performances also racked up millions of views on YouTube — dwarfing those of his competitors.

The win marks yet another highlight in Irwin’s meteoric rise.

Swapping the zoo for the ballroom

Irwin’s debut on the Dancing with the Stars stage was quintessentially Australian — and quintessentially Irwin.

Dressed in his signature khaki, Irwin crouched on the hood of a 4WD with a pair of bedazzled binoculars as a kookaburra’s call rang out.

Suddenly, he leapt into the air, ripped off his khaki shirt and broke out into a jive to Steppenwolf’s Born to be Wild.

Over the course of the competition, Irwin and Carson tackled a technically difficult tango, a sultry salsa and a Wicked-inspired jazz routine to the musical’s hit Dancing Through Life.

But Irwin’s family ties became more prominent as the competition progressed.

For “dedication night”, Robert paid tribute to his mother Terri Irwin, who raised Robert and Bindi after Steve Irwin’s death in 2006.

Performing an emotional contemporary routine to You’ll Be In My Heart by Phil Collins, a moment of strategic camera work saw Carson slip away, only to seamlessly be replaced by Terri.

“My mum and dad were just … the ultimate team,” Irwin said post-show, choking up when talking to Entertainment Tonight.

“They created something so much bigger than themselves. In their love and passion, they created a legacy that I get to continue.

“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 paid tribute to his late father with a foxtrot to Footprints in the Sand by Leona Lewis — the same song Bindi Irwin used for a similar tribute during her time on the show years earlier.

Bindi herself joined the pair on stage before a montage of Steve Irwin with a baby Robert was projected onto the dance floor, prompting Robert to break down.

The dance earned Irwin 10s across the board from the judges to net his highest score at the time — a perfect 40.

Afterwards, Irwin called the performance “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.”

A new era

Winning the hit American dance competition is yet another boon for Irwin’s burgeoning career.

In 2024, he was announced as the new co-host of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!

The move saw the then-20-year-old replace Dr Chris Brown and host the series alongside veteran presenter Julia Morris.

Only months later, he bagged a Gold Logie nomination, making him the youngest male nominee for the award — though he would miss out to television mainstay Larry Emdur.

Earlier this year, Irwin’s Bond’s campaign — which saw the star posing in only his underwear with various Australian reptiles — went viral.

“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.”

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