The remaining participants all delivered impeccable performances in the finale, dancing through three rounds as they competed for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
The Dancing with the Stars season 34 finale aired on Tuesday, November 25, and a winner was crowned. The announcement drew mixed reactions from fans, with some saying the winners deserved it while others felt their favorites had been robbed.
Three Rounds, One Night of Fierce Competition
Robert Irwin followed in the footsteps of his sister, Bindi, by taking home the Mirrorball Trophy, just as she did a decade ago. The wildlife conservationist and his professional dance partner, Witney Carson, were announced as the champions of season 34 during the finale.
Irwin and Carson put on an impressive show, competing against fellow finalists Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten, and Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach.
Each finalist performed three dances:
Judges’ Choice, a final ballroom or Latin style
Instant Dance, learned only minutes beforehand
Freestyle, the high-energy closing number
Viewers voted live during the broadcast, and the combined judges’ scores and viewer votes determined the winner.
Robert Irwin Claims the Mirrorball Trophy
Irwin and Carson went all out. Their routines included:
Quickstep to Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”
Freestyle to Sam Sparro’s “Black & Gold” and Avicii’s “The Nights”
Cha Cha to “Cake by the Ocean” in the Instant Dance
Alfonso Ribeiro revealed the final standings:
5th — Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten
4th — Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach
3rd — Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa
The final two couples—Earle & Chmerkovskiy and Irwin & Carson—received more votes than any finalists in show history, with judge Julianne Hough calling the margin “one of the tightest” ever.
Irwin and Carson were ultimately crowned the season’s champions.
Fans Cry Foul Over the Finale Results
Reactions online were divided. Some fans felt the results were unfair:
“I witnessed a robbery and I am reporting it to the police.”
“Jordan was robbed—she had the best freestyle.”
“Should’ve been Alix.”
“Alix was robbed unfortunately.”
Others defended Irwin:
“No, YOU witnessed a robbery.”
“He came in with absolutely no dance experience and gave it his all.”
“America got it right.”
Tears, Pain & Perseverance Behind the Mirrorball
Irwin expressed heartfelt gratitude, echoing his sister Bindi’s words:
“Thank you for changing my life!”
Carson praised him as well:
“I already feel like I won with him as my friend.”
Before the finale, Carson revealed that both she and Irwin were struggling physically after 11 intense weeks of training, with Irwin even experiencing rib pain.
A Father’s Legacy in Every Dance
Throughout the competition, Irwin honored his late father, Steve Irwin. He shared that he keeps two deeply meaningful items with him during rehearsals:
A ring made from keys to his childhood home
His father’s worn shirt, which he wears for every rehearsal
He said the shirt feels like “a big hug every time I put it on.”
What’s Next for Robert Irwin?
After the win, Irwin revealed he will:
Travel to New York
Head to South Africa to film a new project
Return home afterward
Carson is set to join him in Australia for part of what’s coming next.
Irwin reflected on the journey:
“I’ve been able to write my own legacy with Witney… I’ll always carry on my dad’s mission. I’m so grateful I can do that in the ballroom.”
