Robert Irwin's Tribute to Dad Steve: Emotional Dance on 'Dancing With The Stars' Leaves Fans in Tears
ROBERT IRWIN'S WILD RIDE ON DWTS US: A BLINK-AND-YOU'LL-MISS-IT TRIBUTE TO HIS DAD STEVE LEAVES FANS GASPING
In a jaw-dropping debut performance on Dancing With The Stars US, Robert Irwin sent shockwaves through the studio audience and viewers at home with a heart-stopping tribute to his late father Steve. The 21-year-old Australian conservationist stunned everyone with his high-energy jive routine to "Born to be Wild" alongside dance partner Witney Carson.
But it was a fleeting pose that had fans weeping uncontrollably. As Robert jumped over Witney's head, triumphantly raising both fists towards the camera in a gesture made famous by Steve Irwin himself, the audience gasped collectively. It was as if the spirit of the Crocodile Hunter had descended upon them.
Social media erupted with reactions from fans and Wildlife Warriors alike, including Jersey Shore star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, who wrote: "I was hysterically crying. Goosebumps every time!" One devoted fan uploaded a clip of the moment to TikTok alongside a photo of Steve doing the same pose, captioning it: "Not Robert Irwin honouring his dad's iconic pose week 1 on DWTS [crying emoji]. My husband is the biggest Steve Irwin fan and told me this and I'm gonna go cry now."
The outpouring of emotion was palpable as fans from around the world praised Robert for paying tribute to his legendary father. "Steve would be so proud and impressed," wrote one user, while another added: "When I saw this, I had instant chills." Someone else chimed in: "I actually cried when I saw his dance."
Robert's performance was a masterclass in storytelling, weaving together elements of Australia Zoo and his father's legacy. The routine began with Robert crouched on a jeep wearing his trademark khaki uniform, complete with binoculars around his neck. As the music picked up, he leapt into action, ripping off his top to reveal a tropical shirt beneath and launching himself onto the dance floor.
An image of Uluru was projected onto the background, adding an extra layer of depth to the performance. Robert's family watched from the front row, beaming with pride as their son brought the house down with his energetic routine. At one point, he rushed over to hug his sister Bindi Irwin, while their mother Terri and Bindi's husband Chandler Powell looked on.
After the music stopped, Robert faced the judges, grinning from ear to ear. "We just did that," he said, still panting from the exertion. Judge Bruno Toniolli began his review with a tongue-in-cheek remark: "That wasn't good... it was great, absolutely brilliant." He awarded the pair 7 out of 10 for their routine.
Fellow judge Derek Hough, who partnered Bindi on DWTS US in 2015, gave them 8 out of 10. "You had some big shoes to fill with Bindi," he said. "You owned those shoes, my friend... that was probably the best first dance I have ever seen on this show." Robert humbly credited his partner Witney for helping him shine: "I haven't moved to music in my entire life."
The final score tied with Whitney Leavitt from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, a reality series on Disney+. As fans eagerly await the next episode to see what's in store for Robert and Witney, one thing is clear: this young conservationist has stolen hearts across the globe. Will he be able to maintain his momentum and keep wowing audiences with his energetic performances? Only time will tell.
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