Robert Irwin's Heartfelt DWTS Performance Left Everyone in Tears

Grab your tissues! Robert Irwin took the "Dancing With The Stars" ballroom by storm with a raw, emotional tribute to his powerhouse mom, Terri Irwin, and his late father, Steve. It was a night of unforgettable moments and high scores!

TL;DR: Here's the Scoop

• Robert Irwin delivered a deeply personal contemporary dance dedicated to his mother, Terri, earning his highest scores of the season (35/40).
• Terri Irwin herself joined the performance, and older sister Bindi Irwin rushed to hug her crying brother, making it a true family moment.
• The entire ballroom, including judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli, was visibly moved by Robert's gratitude for his mom's strength and his openness about grief.

Alright, DWTS fans, if you weren't watching "Dancing With the Stars" this week, you missed a moment that truly transcended the competition. Week 5, dubbed "Dedication Night," saw stars honoring the people closest to their hearts, and for the first time ever, those honorees could actually join the routines! It was a night packed with tears, triumphs, and a whole lot of love, but it was wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin who absolutely stole the show with a performance that left not a single dry eye in the house.

Hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough kicked off the night by announcing a huge milestone – the show had already surpassed 50 million votes! And in a twist we certainly didn't see coming, they revealed there would be no elimination this emotional week. Instead, all the scores and votes from Dedication Night will roll over and be combined with next week’s "Wicked Night" results. Talk about suspense!

A "You'll Be In My Heart" Dance That Stirred Every Soul

From the moment Robert Irwin and his pro partner Witney Carson began their contemporary routine, you could feel the raw emotion. Dancing to a cover of Phil Collins' iconic ballad "You'll Be In My Heart" from Disney's Tarzan, Robert dedicated the performance to his incredible mother, Terri Irwin, but also to "all the moms who don't get the recognition they deserve," and single parents everywhere. He beautifully conveyed how much his mom meant to him, especially after the tragic loss of his father, Steve Irwin, when Robert was just two years old.

The staging was subtle yet powerful. Robert started seated on the floor in shadow, looking skyward, before Witney approached. As the lyrics "Come stop your crying it will be alright/ Just take my hand, hold it tight/ I will protect you from all around you" filled the air, they moved with graceful, heartfelt lifts and embraces. Then, in a truly breathtaking moment, the lighting shifted, and Witney was subtly replaced by Terri Irwin herself, who joined her son for a heartfelt twirl and a long, emotional hug. It was pure magic.

The impact was immediate and profound. As Robert walked to the judges' table, his older sister, Bindi Irwin, who won Season 21 of DWTS, rushed onto the dance floor to embrace her tearful brother. Even before the scores were revealed, co-host Julianne Hough was right there, handing Robert a tissue. Guest judge Kym Johnson, a two-time DWTS champion herself, observed the powerful performance alongside regular judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough. The trio were clearly choked up, especially Derek, who won with Bindi!

The emotion wasn't just for show; it translated into serious scores. Robert and Witney earned a fantastic 35 out of 40 points, marking his highest scores of the season! They tied for second place on the leaderboard with Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, just one point behind the top spot held by Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach.

Unpacking Robert's Deep Gratitude for Terri Irwin's Unwavering Strength

Leading up to Dedication Night, Robert had already made it clear how much this dance meant to him. In a confessional video, he explained, "I've never been able to capture the feeling of gratitude I feel for her. At every milestone, when I just wish, when I just wish that my dad was there, she was she was there, and that was enough."

He continued to express his profound appreciation for his mother's resilience and dedication, especially in the wake of losing his father, the beloved "Crocodile Hunter," Steve Irwin, back in 2006. "I struggle a lot with losing dad a lot," Robert shared. "She always made sure my dad was present in our lives. I wanted her to know how proud my dad would be of her."

"She's an absolute hero to me, because I was 2 when I lost dad. As I got older, [I] started to realize just how hard it would have been for her to be there for us, and all the while continue dad's legacy that her and dad built together."

— Robert Irwin on his mother, Terri Irwin

Terri, who also appeared in rehearsal footage, revealed her own perspective on navigating life after Steve. "After we lost Steve, it was difficult to smile again, for quite a while," she recalled. "So for him to say, 'You lifted me up,' honestly, it was the opposite. Because of [my kids], I could get up every morning. Every day I'm a proud mama." Her strength and love clearly shone through, not just in her words but in her graceful appearance on the dance floor. It's truly a testament to her spirit that she not only raised two incredible children but also continued the global conservation work she and Steve started together.

Just before Dedication Night, Robert appeared on "The Viall Files" podcast, where he candidly discussed his grief journey. He emphasized the importance of vulnerability, stating, "There's no grief journey that's easy and there's no grief journey that's the same as the other. But for me to be able to celebrate my dad, to celebrate the person he is, to continue what he loved is the honor of a lifetime." He added, "It's okay when life's hard. It's okay to be vulnerable. And it's okay sometimes for some days to just be too much." These reflections highlight the deep emotional wellspring from which his moving performance sprang.

His honest words resonated with many, showing that even public figures experience profound personal struggles and that sharing them can be incredibly healing. His mother, Terri, commented on his Instagram post about the dance, "A night I will always remember. You are such a beautiful dancer, and wonderful son." And Bindi simply added, "Love you so much." It’s clear this family shares an extraordinary bond.

A Continuing Family Legacy Lighting Up the Dance Floor

The Irwin family's connection to "Dancing With the Stars" runs deep. Robert's sister, Bindi Irwin, famously won the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 21 with Derek Hough, who is now a judge on the show. Derek's emotional reaction to Robert's dance was particularly poignant, as he broke down in tears, telling Robert and Terri, "The love I have for your family... I just have so much love for you guys. I'm so proud of you. I really am, you've become such an amazing man, and the world needs the Irwin family." It was a powerful callback to Bindi's own emotional journey on the show, where she, too, honored her late father.

Steve Irwin's legacy as the "Crocodile Hunter" is immense, and both Robert and Bindi have dedicated their lives to continuing his wildlife conservation work. Robert, a zookeeper and TV presenter in his own right, often draws comparisons to his dad for his passion and charisma. This dance was not just a personal tribute but a public reaffirmation of the Irwin family's enduring spirit and commitment to their shared mission.

On a lighter note, even Terri Irwin has a relatable mom reaction to her son's DWTS journey! After Robert's earlier salsa performance that involved ripping his shirt off and "hip thrusts," Terri joked, "I knew what the dancing involved. I am immensely proud. But I still see you as this little, tiny loaf of bread, toddling around with your chubby little legs." She also confirmed rumors that Robert had been approached by Chippendales and Thunder Down Under, but he respectfully declined, stating, "Mate, all power to them. Not for me. Not right now. I'll take the shirt off, every now and again, I'm gonna draw the line there." It just goes to show that even while embracing new challenges, Robert stays true to himself.

Dedication Night Highlights: Who Else Lit Up the Ballroom?

While Robert's dance was undoubtedly a standout, Dedication Night featured many other moving performances. Here's a quick look at how everyone stacked up:

• Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach: 36 points (Contemporary to "Rewrite the Stars") - Dylan topped the leaderboard with his emotional tribute to his five-year-old sister, Olivia, earning his highest scores of the season.
• Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy: 35 points (Contemporary to "Sparks") - The social media star earned her first nines with a powerful dance dedicated to her little sister, Izabel, who she credited with helping heal her blended family.
• Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas: 33 points (Contemporary to "Heal") - The "Mormon Wives" star danced for her husband, Connor, though judges noted a slight mistake.
• Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa: 32 points (Viennese Waltz to "Daughters") - Olympian Jordan honored her father, Timothy, who even joined the routine for a significant portion, delighting the judges.
• Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten: 30 points (Foxtrot to "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)") - Elaine celebrated female friendship with her "Parent Trap" co-star and best friend, Lisa Ann Walter, who joined the trio for the foxtrot.
• Scott Hoying & Rylee Arnold: 30 points (Foxtrot to "Parallel") - The Pentatonix member danced to his original song, a tribute to his husband, Mark, and revealed they are expecting via surrogate. Judges had some technical feedback.
• Jen Affleck & Jan Ravnik: 29 points (Viennese Waltz to "Rescue") - Another "Mormon Wives" star, Jen, danced for her mother, Maria, thanking her for sacrifices made.
• Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov: 29 points (Jive to "Boy Meets World" theme) - The "Boy Meets World" star gave a nostalgic performance honoring William Daniels (Mr. Feeney), earning her first 8 of the season.
• Andy Richter & Emma Slater: 24 points (Salsa to "Jump in the Line") - Andy dedicated his dance to his adopted daughter, Cordelia, who joined him on the floor.

What an emotional night! With no eliminations, all these stars live to dance another week. The combined scores and votes mean everyone has to bring their A-game for the next challenge.

What's Next on the DWTS Dance Floor?

The ballroom is set to transform for next week's "Wicked Night," promising more spectacular performances and, of course, the return of eliminations. After such an emotional week, the pressure will be on for all the couples to deliver show-stopping routines to stay in the competition.

"Dancing With the Stars" airs live on Tuesdays on ABC and streams concurrently on Disney+ in local time zones. If you miss the live broadcast, you can catch up on all the glitz, glamour, and emotional moments the very next day on Hulu. So mark your calendars and get ready for more dancing magic!

Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Irwin's DWTS Performance

When did Robert Irwin perform his dedication dance on "Dancing With the Stars"?

Robert Irwin performed his emotional dedication dance on "Dancing With the Stars" during Week 5, which aired live on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Who did Robert Irwin dedicate his "Dancing With the Stars" dance to?

Robert Irwin dedicated his contemporary dance to his mother, Terri Irwin, celebrating her strength and sacrifices after the loss of his father, Steve Irwin. He also dedicated it to "all the strong mothers of the world and single parents."

What song did Robert Irwin dance to on "Dedication Night"?

Robert Irwin and Witney Carson danced a contemporary routine to a cover of Phil Collins' "You'll Be In My Heart," famously from the Disney movie Tarzan.

How can I watch "Dancing With the Stars" and Robert Irwin's performance?

"Dancing With the Stars" airs live on Tuesdays on ABC and streams simultaneously on Disney+ in local time zones. You can also stream episodes on demand the next day on Hulu.

Sources:

Based on aggregated news reports from various outlets including People, SheKnows, E! News, Billboard, and The Independent.