When the TV personality stepped onto the “Dancing With the Stars” stage Tuesday night, he wasn’t just dancing for a score — he was honoring the woman who kept his family strong after tragedy and quietly paying tribute to his late father, Steve.
Robert Irwin, the 20-year-old wildlife conservationist and son of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, left the “Dancing With the Stars” ballroom drenched in tears after delivering a gut-wrenching performance dedicated to the most important woman in his life — his mother, Terri Irwin.
Robert, dancing alongside his partner Witney Carson, chose Phil Collins’ timeless ballad “You’ll Be in My Heart” for their Contemporary routine, a choice that left both the judges and viewers reeling with emotion.
“In our hearts forever and always ❤️ Robert and Witney delivered a beautiful Contemporary dedicated to his mom Terri ✨,” the show wrote in a touching Instagram post, capturing the emotional gravity of the moment.
Fans Demand ‘Justice for Robert’ as a Judge’s Score Sparks Outrage
The emotional weight of the performance sent shockwaves through social media. Viewers flooded the internet with messages of admiration and disbelief over a judge’s scoring.
“The most moving dance I’ve ever seen on this show,” one fan gushed. Another viewer echoed the heartbreak, “This broke me 😭 And then Derek was absolutely right about the world needing the Irwin’s. I am a mess [sic]😭😭😭😭😭😭😭.” Another viewer said, “I absolutely sobbed.”
But the praise quickly gave way to outrage. Fans took particular issue with one judge’s score, with a person declaring, “Justice for Robert after Carrie Ann gave him an 8. Like what?!?!”