Robert Irwin Reveals 'Turning Point' of 'DWTS' Journey Came From Mom Terri
Robert Irwin credits a lot of the strength he learned at an early age to his mother, Terri Irwin.
The wildlife conservationist told Jimmy Fallon that Terri helped him deal with the grief over the unexpected death of his father, Steve Irwin, in 2006. Irwin was just two when Steve died after being impaled by a Stingray.
In turn, he honored his mother by dancing in her honor for Dancing With the Stars "Dedication Night." He and his pro-partner Witney Carson performed an emotional contemporary routine to the Phil Collins song, "You'll Be In My Heart," dedicated to Terri.
"This was like a turning point for me with this show," he told Fallon. "It was the first time I really told kind of my journey of grief and the way that she helped me through that."
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"To use your body as this expression of self, to share such a deeply personal story through the lens of gratitude for my mom. That's when I realized dancing, it's storytelling that's all it is," he added.
Irwin won Season 34 of the celebrity competition series, taking home a mirrorball for his efforts. His success came ten years after his sister, Bindi Irwin, won alongside pro-Derek Hough.
RELATED: Robert Irwin Reveals the Powerful Way He Connects With Dad Steve Irwin
Since his win, Irwin returned to the Australia Zoo, where he works alongside Terri, Bindi, and her husband Chandler Powell to run the zoo, take care of the animals, and ensure an unforgettable experience for guests.
However, he has also been active in the states, promoting the zoo, his time on Dancing With the Stars, and touring with the cast on their latest run of live shows. Recently, Irwin was announced as the host of a series spinoff, Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.
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"I am so excited to be back with my ballroom family to host this new era of DWTS," Robert wrote on Instagram. "Witney and I took a little detour from the DWTS live tour to make the exciting announcement. And if you wondered what a day in the life on tour looks like, well, this is it!"
Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro airs beginning July 13 on ABC and Hulu.
MORE: Robert Irwin's Emotional ‘DWTS' Tribute to Late Dad Steve Irwin Leaves Ballroom, Viewers in Tears
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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 6:59 AM.