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In what turned out to be one of the most thrilling seasons of Dancing With The Stars, the latest champion has been unveiled. This week, the reality TV dance competition reached a fever pitch during the finals, where only one celebrity-pro duo emerged triumphant with the coveted mirrorball trophy.
This season, it was wilderness expert Robert Irwin and his professional dance partner Witney Carson who captured the title in Season 34, much to the delight of many fans. Robert’s victory is significant for several reasons, notably because he is now the second member of his family to claim this honor.
Viewers who have been closely following the show would know that Robert and Witney consistently led the pack, often being the team to beat. Robert was frequently lauded for his captivating stage presence, boundless energy, and impressive technical skills, effortlessly winning over fans who eagerly cast their votes for his team.
Robert And Whitney Beat Out The Other Finalists
Those who have been following the season will know that Robert and Witney were consistently near the front of the pack, if not the ones to beat. Robert was often praised for his stage presence, energy, and technical abilities, and it was easy to see how he charmed fans into voting for his team.
Witney and Robert’s win came after a final evening of three demanding routines—Judges’ Choice, Instant Dance, and Freestyle—and a finale that drew a record-high number of viewer votes. Despite stiff competition from strong contenders like Alix Earle, Jordan Chiles, and Elaine Hendrix, the pair’s consistent performances and emotional dedication ultimately earned them the top spot.
After it was announced that they had won the mirrorball trophy, Robert and Witney looked both shocked and ecstatic. When given a chance to make remarks, Robert echoed the words of his older sister, Bindi, who won her own season of the show nearly a decade ago:
My sister said it best: Thank you for changing my life.
Though Robert has been featured on TV before, largely thanks to his famous parents, Dancing With The Stars marks his first true foray into the world of reality TV.
Witney Got A Special Congrats For Her Victory
Being crowned the victor of Season 34 was meaningful for dance pro Witney as well. This isn’t the first time she’s taken home the mirrorball trophy with her partner—in fact, she previously won in 2014 during Season 19 with partner Alfonso Ribeiro, who, funny enough, now serves as one of the show’s hosts.
When Witney was announced as the winner, Alfonso could be seen wrapping her in a big hug, and clips that Witney later posted on TikTok featured him telling her, “I love you.” In her caption for the video, Witney noted how special it was to be awarded the mirrorball trophy by the very same person with whom she’d won her first:
It was exactly this day 11 years ago that I won my first mirrorball with Alfonso… and tonight, he handed me my second.
“Every high, every low, every tough loss, every season that stretched and refined me, it all led here. Getting to share this win with someone like Robert means more than I could ever express,” she added.
It’s clear that the bond between the former dance partners remains strong, especially since both have continued to work on the series in different capacities. Alfonso’s wife also shared her own message of congratulations for Witney, noting that she was “proud of everything [she] brought this season as a dancer, a mother, a wife, and a friend.”
