'Dancing with the Stars' crowns Season 34 winner in dramatic finale

The champion continues his family’s legacy of winning the 'DWTS' Mirrorball Trophy after a strong finale performance

Robert Irwin has continued his family’s legacy by winning the Dancing with the Stars Mirrorball Trophy, a decade after his sister Bindi captured the title.

The 21-year-old wildlife conservationist and his professional partner, Witney Carson, were named champions during the season 34 finale on November 25.

 

 

 

 

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The finalists — Alix Earle, Jordan Chiles, Dylan Efron and Elaine Hendrix — each performed three rounds of dances, but Robert’s routines proved decisive.

He and Carson delivered a Quickstep to "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" by Jet for the Judges' Choice round, followed by a Freestyle blending "Black & Gold" by Sam Sparro with "The Nights" by Avicii. They closed with an Instant Dance Cha Cha to "Cake by the Ocean" by DNCE.

Upon winning, Robert said, "My sister said it best, Thank you for changing my life!" Carson praised her partner, saying "I'm so grateful for Robert, honestly, I already feel like I won with him as my friend and I can't thank you enough".

Throughout the season, Robert honoured his late father Steve Irwin. He revealed that he trained with two good-luck charms: a ring made from keys to his childhood home and one of his father’s shirts, which he wore for every rehearsal. "Each one of the tears and holes and missing buttons tells another story and this shirt definitely saw a lot", he said.

Robert earned several 10s across the competition, and the finale featured all eliminated couples returning for group performances, as well as season 33 winners Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson dancing to "Tanguera" by Fabio Hager Sexteto.