Season 34 arguably featured some of the most talented and competitive celebrities in recent years: Olympian gymnast Jordan Chiles, social media influencer Alix Earle, media personalities Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck (both from \u201cThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives\u201d), <\/em>actress Danielle Fischel, Fifth Harmony\u2019s Lauren Jauregui, American TV Personality Dylan Efron, actress Elaine Hendrix, singer and musician Scott Hoying, actor Corey Feldman, actor and comedian Andy Richter and, of course, Australian wildlife conservationist, Robert Irwin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As the weeks progressed and couples were eliminated, the competition intensified. Week 10, dubbed \u201cPrince Night,\u201d <\/em>featured performances to iconic Prince songs. The remaining couples included Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten, Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa and Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas\u2013who were eliminated that night, sparking controversy among many viewers. Some fans argued that Leavitt had an unfair advantage because she earned a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Fine Arts, which entailed studying dance. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n I remember discussing the eliminations with my friends \u2013 fellow avid fans \u2013 and feeling that it was impossible to imagine anyone going home. My friend Alex Goldberg, who is a senior at Fieldston, remarked, \u201cI think seeing someone [Irwin] who is so positive and genuine really touched the hearts of viewers,\u201d when asked why she thought so many fans strongly resonated with Irwin. I couldn\u2019t agree more; Irwin\u2019s dancing was consistently paired with a sweet smile and enthusiastic compliments toward his castmates during post-performance interviews. Seeing someone so kind and loyal touched many fans, including myself. By Week 10, all of the remaining couples were so impressive that it seemed nearly impossible for the judges to choose between them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The fabled judges of \u201cDancing with the Stars,\u201d who also stir lots of debate with their scores for each dance, are a key part of the show experience. The original judges from Season 1 were Carri Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and head judge Len Goodman. Following Len Goodman\u2019s death, former professional dancer Derek Hough joined as a permanent judge. In addition to the three regular judges, guest judges often accompany the panel. Season 34 featured spectacular guest judges such as \u201cWicked\u201d director, Jon M. Chu on \u201cWicked Night\u201d and rapper Flavor Flav on \u201cRock and Roll Hall of Fame Night.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond the guest judges, the standout of season 34 was the partnership between Robert Irwin and Witney Carson. Each week, they delivered performances filled with confidence, technical skill, chemistry, and a fiery presence. <\/p>\n\n\n On premiere night, titled \u201cPersonal Anthems,\u201d Carson and Irwin performed a jive to \u201cBorn to be Wild\u201d by Steppenwolf. The dance began with flashing lights and Irwin jumping off a jeep before Carson dramatically ripped off his outer shirt to reveal matching, shiny, colorful costumes. Although the show\u2019s premise assumes that celebrities have little to no ballroom experience, Irwin appeared to be a natural from the start. His slides, tricks, footwork and jumps over Carson made their performances look easy and seamless. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With confetti shooting into the air and the crowd erupting into pandemonium, it was clear that the couple to beat was Irwin and Witney. However, they faced fierce competition from Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, as well as Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, who were deemed among the most strong and accomplished professionals on the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A notable aspect of the show and competition is that the competitors do not stay in the competition just because of good scores from judges. It is a combination of that and votes <\/em>from watchers. Each episode, the hosts of Dancing with the Stars, Julianne Hough (yes, judge Derek Hough\u2019s sister) and Alfonso Ribeiro, advertise how to vote for your favorite contestant. For example, to vote for Alix Earle, viewers would text \u201cAlix\u201d to 21523. Audiences can vote a maximum of 10 times per voting method. The different methods are via text or online at dwtsvote.abc.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many contestants benefit from devoted fanbases who mobilize friends and family to vote. Some netizens speculated that Earle\u2019s massive and loyal fanbase across social media\u2013TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, where she publicized her \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d experience and how to vote for her. <\/p>\n\n\n Nonetheless, what ultimately set Irwin and Carson apart was not only their technical precision but also their emotional storytelling. Week 5, titled \u201cDedication Night,\u201d required each celebrity to honor their dance to someone impactful in their lives and to incorporate them into the dance. Among all of the dances from Dedication Night, Robert Irwin\u2019s dedication to his mother, Terri Irwin, stood out most. Robert and Witney danced a contemporary piece to a song titled \u201cYou\u2019ll Be in My Heart\u201d by Phil Collins. The routine was heartfelt and deeply moving.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another memorable dance that pulled many fans into Robert\u2019s story was on the show\u2019s 20th Birthday, where Irwin and Carson were assigned to dance a Foxtrot. The dance featured a surprise appearance of Robert’s sister, Bindi. The dance concluded with a video projection of a childhood footage featuring Robert, Bindi and Steve across the dance floor. Unaware that the tribute was planned, Robert understandably broke down in tears, kneeling to touch the dance floor; the emotional moment touched many viewers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Irwin\u2019s talent, authenticity and heartfelt story ultimately carried him to the finale, where he and Carson were crowned leading the champions of Season 34 of \u201cDancing with the Stars.\u201d Throughout the season, fans and contestants alike praised Irwin for his cheerful and contagious attitude. Irwin, characteristically announced that he would put his prize money and \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d bonuses toward supporting his family\u2019s conservation mission at the Australian Zoo, helping to pay off the debt that accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a>. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Irwins proved once again that their legacy extends far beyond wildlife conservation, it also shines brightly under the ballroom lights. <\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fieldstonnews.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1024x819.jpeg\")
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