What you need to know
Robert Irwin is following in his sister Bindi’s footsteps by winning the mirrorball trophy on Dancing with the Stars.
Robert, 21, danced his way to the title with professional partner Witney Carson on the show’s Season 34 finale on Tuesday, November 25. His victory came almost exactly 10 years after his older sister Bindi, 27, won mirror ball with partner Derek Hough. And Robert says receiving the same honor as his sister means “everything to him.”
“It meant everything to me to follow in those footsteps and do the same thing,” he exclusively tells PEOPLE backstage after the show’s finale. “This completely changed my life.”
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He told PEOPLE that it was especially special to see his sister claim this title because it was also an opportunity to spread the message about the Irwin family’s conservation work, Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors, and their philanthropy.
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“It’s about making the world a better place, and when I saw her hold up the mirror ball, I knew she was holding up that message,” he says.
The conservationist also shared his gratitude for professional Carson, saying, “I’m so grateful to be here on this journey with Whitney. You took me forever,” adding, “Whitney put her heart and soul into this and I’m so glad we’re here.”
Meanwhile, Carson said he “couldn’t think of anyone more deserving” of receiving the trophy than Robert.
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“I feel like I’m so proud of you every week. Being able to see you shine was one of the biggest highlights of my life. I’m just so proud of you,” she continued.
However, Robert’s road to the finals was not smooth sailing, and he actually injured his ribs just before his final show.
In a TikTok shared on Monday, Nov. 24, professional Carson opened up about how his dance partner is doing just one day after the highly anticipated Season 34 finale. Specifically, Carson, 32, said Robert, the son of the late conservationist Steve Irwin, was feeling pain in his ribs.
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After “11 weeks of crazy, energetic, hard dancing,” Carson said, “My body is feeling it. Robert’s body is feeling it. We’re kind of falling apart right now. We’re just trying to hold it together for two more days. Literally today and tomorrow, that’s it.”
“Robert’s ribs are killing him,” she added in the social media clip.
Other contestants vying for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy included influencers Alix Earle and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Olympic gold medalists Jordan Childs and Ezra Sosa, TV personalities Dylan Efron and Daniela Karagach, and actresses Elaine Hendricks and Alan Bersten.
