UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT: Robert Irwin Secures First Perfect Score of DWTS Season 34 With TEARFUL TRIBUTE to Father Steve Irwin—Three More Perfect Scores Follow in Historic Showdown
It’s taken 9 weeks for the judges to agree on a truly perfect dance, and after handing a 40 to Robert Irwin, they handed out three more.
Bindi Irwin, Robert Irwin, and Witney Carson on ‘Dancing With the Stars’.Credit: ABC
It’s a perfect score parade on Dancing With the Stars.
No doubt moved by the celebratory spirit in the air during Tuesday’s 20th birthday bash, perfect 40s have been haded out to not one, not two, but three couples. After nine long weeks of near misses, the curse has finally been broken by wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, with social media personality Dylan Efron, influencer Alix Earle, and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt close behind.
Irwin danced the foxtrot with partner Witney Carson to Leona Lewis’ “Footprints in the Sand” — an homage to the exact same number his sister Bindi Irwin performed on season 21, which she won.
At the end of the number, Bindi joined Robert and WItney on stage, wrapping their arms around each other’s shoulders and kneeling before scenes of their childhood with late father Steve Irwin projected onto the ballroom floor. All three began to cry, setting off an emotional chain reaction on the judging panel.
“That was so beautiful. It was a poetic, touching tribute that really touched all of us. I could not take my eyes off of you,” Bruno Tonioli told Irwin. Derek Hough, who led Bindi to victory a decade ago, stumbled through tears as he noted, “One thing I loved about your father is that he lived life with so much enthusiasm, and you, my friend, are this generation’s beacon of joy and enthusiasm. And you’re not just walking the path that he set, you are dancing it. And you’re dancing it beautifully.”
O.G. host Tom Bergeron, who returned to the ballroom for the 20th anniversary five years after his dramatic exit, added, “Last time we saw each other, you were 11. You have grown into a star, Robert. You really have.”
Robert and Witney jumped, shouted, and cried even more after receiving their perfect 40. It was a powerful moment after so many couples got close this season. But Irwin only held onto his title for a few minutes, as Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy, Leavitt and her partner Mark Ballas, and Efron and his partner Daniella Karagach were all awarded top marks after their routines.
That left actress Elaine Hendrix, Olympian Jordan Chiles, and comedian Andy Richter in the minority with their measly near perfect scores. With just two weeks left to the season 34 finale, it’s anyone’s game.
Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, and streams the next day on Hulu.
