It was an incredibly emotional evening on Tuesday, October 14, in the Dancing with the Stars ballroom as the contestants performed their dedication dances in honor of special people in their lives. While several of the dances had audience members and contestants misty-eyed, there was one performance in particular that had everyone buzzing.
Robert Irwin, the son of the late ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin, performed a touching dance tribute to his mother, Terri Irwin. The 21-year-old danced alongside his professional partner Witney Carson to the song “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins.
Robert lost his father when he was just 2 years old. The Australian zookeeper, television personality, and conservationist was 44 years old when he died on September 4, 2006, from a stingray attack.
Prior to beginning the process of learning this week’s dance, Robert became emotional as he discussed his mother’s strength as she raised him and his sister, Bindi, as a widow and always being there for them despite her own grief.
"I've never been able to capture the feeling of gratitude I feel for her," he said. "At every milestone, when I just wish, when I just wish that my dad was there, she was…she was there, and that was enough."
Robert shared that he appreciates the effort that his mother went to over the years to keep his father’s memory alive.
"I struggle a lot with losing dad a lot," he said. "She always made sure my dad was present in our lives. I wanted to know how proud my dad would be of her."
Near the end of Robert and Witney’s dance, Witney stepped aside, allowing Terri to take the stage and complete the performance alongside her son.
Judges Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough were visibly emotional and struggled to speak following the dance.
"The love I have for your family. I just have so much love for you guys. I'm so proud of you. I really am. Just you've become such an amazing man, and the world needs the Irwin family,” said Hough.
