It was supposed to be the performance of the night — a fiery, electrifying Argentine Tango that had the entire “Dancing with the Stars” audience on its feet. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson delivered passion, power, and precision in every single step. The crowd was roaring before the music even ended. But then came the scores… and chaos followed.

Carrie Ann Inaba: 10.

Bruno Tonioli: 10.

Derek Hough: 9.

The audience booed instantly. Gasps filled the studio. Even Robert looked stunned for a second before clapping it off with that trademark smile. But fans weren’t buying it — and neither was his partner, Witney Carson. Moments after the show ended, Witney took to Instagram Stories with just one sharp line that set the internet ablaze:

“He deserved 10s, Derek!” 💃🔥

That single sentence — short, direct, and loaded — sent shockwaves through the DWTS fandom. Within minutes, hashtags like #JusticeForRobert and #10sDerek10s began trending on X (formerly Twitter). Fans flooded social media with side-by-side videos, slow-motion clips, and frame-by-frame breakdowns of Robert’s footwork to prove their point.

“Are you kidding me? That was perfection!” one fan posted.

Another wrote: “If Derek can’t give a 10 to THAT routine, I don’t know what planet he’s judging from.”

Even former contestants and pros chimed in subtly — liking Witney’s post or commenting with clapping emojis. It was clear: people felt Derek had dropped the ball.

And truthfully, it’s not hard to see why emotions ran high. Robert’s transformation this season has been nothing short of remarkable. From the shy, soft-spoken wildlife conservationist to a confident, commanding performer — he’s become one of the breakout stars of the season. This week’s tango wasn’t just technically strong — it was emotionally riveting. His sharp staccatos, control, and intense chemistry with Witney left even the toughest critics speechless.

Well — almost all of them.

When Derek’s “9” paddle came up, the reaction from the audience was instant outrage. Bruno and Carrie Ann even glanced at each other, visibly surprised. Derek tried to explain: “It was almost perfect,” he said, citing a minor “disconnect” in the middle section. But fans weren’t having it. Social media exploded with clips showing no visible error at all.

One viral tweet read:

“I rewatched the tango three times. No mistakes. No missed steps. No breaks in character. Derek’s 9 feels personal.”

And then came the debates — was Derek being extra critical because he expected more from Robert? Was it a strategy to keep the competition close? Or was it just plain inconsistency?

Entertainment blogs quickly picked up the controversy. ET Online called it “The Most Talked-About DWTS Score of the Season.” People Magazine ran a headline: ‘Fans Outraged After Derek Hough Underscores Robert Irwin’s Tango — Witney Carson Responds.’

Meanwhile, Derek stayed quiet. No posts, no statements — just silence. But his fellow judges tried to soften the blow during post-show interviews, emphasizing how “difficult” it is to get a perfect score and that Derek’s 9 was still “a massive compliment.”

That didn’t help much. The public wanted acknowledgment that Robert had been robbed.

Witney, ever the professional, didn’t fan the flames further — but her subtle posts spoke volumes. A behind-the-scenes clip showed her hugging Robert and whispering, “You nailed it.” She captioned it simply with three emojis: ❤️🔥👏. Fans flooded the comments:

“You two were ROBBED.”

“We saw perfection. Derek saw something else.”

“Even Bruno was ready to throw his paddle across the table!”

By morning, fan petitions and video compilations titled “Why Robert Deserved a 10” had already gone viral. On TikTok, one edit of Robert’s tango gained over 3 million views in less than 12 hours, with the caption: “Show this to Derek Hough.”

Inside sources from the DWTS production team even hinted that Derek might address the backlash in the next episode. “He knows fans are upset,” one insider shared. “Derek takes judging seriously, but he’s aware of the conversation.”

Still, the drama may actually play in Robert’s favor. Every season has its “underdog injustice moment” — the performance that sparks fan passion and unites viewers behind a contestant. For Robert Irwin, this might be that moment.

Because despite the controversy, one thing is clear: the energy between Robert and Witney is electric. Their partnership has evolved into one of the most dynamic pairings of the season — respectful, trusting, and full of mutual admiration. Witney’s subtle public defense only made fans love her more, showing she’s not afraid to stand by her partner when it counts.

As one fan summed it up perfectly:

“Witney didn’t call him out — she stood up for her dancer. That’s what a real partner does.”

Now, heading into next week, the pressure is higher than ever. Will Derek redeem himself with a 10? Will Robert channel the controversy into another show-stopping routine? One thing’s certain — all eyes will be on that judges’ table.

For now, fans continue to rally online, replaying that tango again and again — every glance, every flick, every perfect beat. And every time, the conclusion is the same:

💥 “He deserved 10s, Derek.” 💥