Love That Endures: Robert Irwin Honors His Parents on DWTS

During rehearsals, Terri Irwin reflected on the pain of losing Steve and the strength she found through her children. Fighting back tears, she said, “After we lost Steve, it was difficult to smile again. But because of Robert and Bindi, I found the strength to wake up every day. So for Robert to say I lifted him up — truly, it was the other way around. I’m just so proud of him.”

When Robert and Witney performed, the ballroom was brought to tears. Judges applauded his sincerity and emotional depth. The official Dancing With the Stars Instagram caption read: “In our hearts forever and always  Robert and Witney delivered a beautiful Contemporary dedicated to his mom Terri ”

Despite the touching performance, fans were upset when judge Carrie Ann Inaba gave Robert an 8 while others scored higher, for a total of 35 out of 40. Viewers flooded social media with messages like, “This was the most moving dance I’ve ever seen,” and “Justice for Robert!” Entertainment Tonight praised his growth, writing, “From catching crocodiles to rocking rhinestones, Robert Irwin can do it all.”

For Robert, the performance wasn’t just about dancing — it was a thank-you to his mother and a tribute to his late father. It was a message of gratitude, a memory in motion, and a reminder that love truly endures through loss.