Robert Irwin Shines at 'DWTS' 20th Birthday Party
The celebration of Dancing With The Stars' 20th birthday on October 11 featured a memorable night of competition and performances, culminating with Australian conservationist Robert Irwin delivering an outstanding dance performance.
Competition Highlights
The event included two distinct rounds of dance. In the first, couples performed routines set to freestyle songs from past DWTS seasons. The second round was a relay dance, where each celebrity paired with a former Mirrorball champion to compete head-to-head against another couple.
Robert Irwin's Perfect Score
Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson earned the first perfect individual score of the season, achieving 40 out of 40 points. Their dance was a tribute to their father, the late Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin, performed to the freestyle song of Robert's sister, season 20 champion Bindi Irwin.
“Irwin, the Australian conservationist, and his dance partner Witney Carson completed the first perfect individual score of the season, nabbing 40 out of a possible 40.”
Other Perfect Scores
- Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
- Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
- Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas
Relay Jive Showdown
For the Relay Jive, Robert Irwin teamed up with season 33 champion Xochitl Gomez. They competed against Alix Earle and Joey Graziadei, dancing to Olly Murs’ “Dance with Me Tonight.” Irwin, dressed in baby blue, showed impressive moves including floor slides and leaps, while Earle and Graziadei wore red for their performance.
“Irwin looked at home as he does in a lion’s den, as he completed floor slides, leaps and showed off his fancy footwork.”
Elimination Note
The night ended on a disappointing note for Andy Richter and Emma Slater, who were eliminated from the competition during the celebration.
Summary
Robert Irwin's flawless performance stole the spotlight at DWTS' 20th birthday, combining heartfelt tribute and technical skill to deliver one of the season’s most memorable dances.