Robert Irwin Waltzes Away With the Mirrorball On Dancing With the Stars

If you felt a strange vibration in the air during the Dancing with the Stars Season 34 finale, that was 72 million viewers furiously texting in votes like they were trying to reset the timeline. And after weeks of quicksteps, sambas, near-injuries, actual injuries and about fourteen too many emotional packages, Robert Irwin, yes, the crocodile-cuddling, wildlife-warrior sweetheart of Australia walked away with the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, partnered with a very triumphant Witney Carson.

The finale itself was peak DWTS energy: five couples, three dances each, one near-broken rib (Robert’s), and a scoring spread so tight you’d think the judges were afraid of getting yelled at in the parking lot afterward. Robert and Witney finished one point behind the leaders, but the audience vote flipped the script with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Apparently America loves an underdog with a dazzling smile and solid footwork, even if some steps were clearly modified to keep his rib from exploding on live television.

Robert’s win isn’t shocking so much as… inevitable. He’s charming, earnest and genuinely fun to watch. And in a season where a few competitors seemed to be eyeing each other like they were auditioning for Survivor instead, Robert radiated “here for the joy of it” energy. Add that to his family legacy (sister Bindi won a decade ago) the DWTS audience basically said, “Sure, let’s make history.”

Was it the technically strongest finale performance of the night? Debatable. Was it the most heart-squeezing, audience-pandering, celebrity-glow-up arc of the season? Absolutely. And DWTS has never met a storyline it didn’t love more than its own rulebook.

In the end, Robert Irwin’s victory feels right for Season 34, earnest, emotional, slightly controversial, and guaranteed to keep fans arguing for weeks. And honestly? That’s the kind of ballroom chaos The TV Cave lives for.