Robert Irwin is proving he’s not only a natural with wildlife but also a natural performer on Dancing with the Stars Season 34. Fans have been eagerly waiting for Dedication Night in Week 5 to see who Robert would honor — and his choice couldn’t have been more heartfelt. The 20-year-old wildlife conservationist dedicated his contemporary dance to his mother, Terri Irwin.
Performing alongside professional dancer Witney Carson, Robert danced to Phil Collins’ timeless ballad “You’ll Be In My Heart.” The song choice holds deep meaning for the Irwin family, symbolizing Terri’s unwavering love and strength in raising Robert and Bindi after the tragic passing of her husband, Steve Irwin, in 2006.
Bindi Irwin’s Reaction: “So Proud of My Family”
Bindi Irwin, who has already watched her brother’s performance, took to Instagram to express her pride. Sharing a throwback family photo, she wrote:
“Ready for a beautiful and emotional night @dancingwiththestars. Robert and Witney have the most profound contemporary dance, dedicated to Mum. Get your tissues ready. So proud of my family.”
Fans flooded the comments with emotional messages, noting the poetic symmetry — Bindi’s own dedication dance during Season 21 was for her father, while Robert’s was for their mother.
“Bindi’s was dedicated to dad. And Robert’s to mom. Full circle moment. All the family together. I love this!!” one fan wrote.
Others added:
“Sobbed during your dedication week dance with Derek 10 years ago… can’t wait to sob during Robert’s,” and “Already have the Kleenex on deck!”
Robert Irwin’s Message to His Mom
Ahead of showtime, Robert shared a heartfelt Instagram post featuring photos from rehearsals with Carson. His caption revealed how deeply personal the performance was for him:
“It has been an emotional week in rehearsals. I’ve been thinking a lot about my mum and her strength. I’ve been reminiscing on the times we’ve spent as a family and how she has kept my dad part of my life. This dance is for my mum, it’s for anyone who’s lost someone… and it’s for all the strong mothers of the world who deserve our recognition and appreciation.”
As Dedication Night unfolds, one thing is certain — Robert’s performance is much more than just a dance. It’s a moving tribute to the woman who’s been his family’s anchor and his lifelong inspiration.