Everyone is saying the same thing about Robert Irwin’s Dancing With The Stars US appearance with mum Terri as he breaks down in floods of tears on TV

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Viewers were deeply moved this week when Robert Irwin performed a heartfelt dance on the US version of Dancing With The Stars.

Robert, 21, and his dance partner Witney Carson, 31, have been performing passionate routines for weeks, but their performance on Tuesday night was especially emotional and brought many to tears.

The night’s theme was dedications, and Robert and Witney performed a moving dance to Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be In My Heart.” Robert dedicated the dance to his mother, Terri, who is 61 years old.

Even before he danced with Witney, Robert was already very emotional, having shared heartfelt words about his mother in an interview.

Robert shared that his father, Steve Irwin, passed away when he was just two years old, and he considers his mother an inspiration. He became emotional while saying this.

Growing up, I began to understand how difficult it must have been for her to support us while also trying to maintain the life and work my parents had created together.

Robert shared how deeply grateful he is for her presence in his life. He explained that whenever he wished his father could be there for important moments, she always stepped up and provided the support he needed.

Everything was going perfectly with the performance, and then Robert totally blew everyone away! He brought Terri out for a surprise appearance at the very end, and the crowd went wild. It was such a fun, unexpected moment – those are the things that really make a show memorable, you know?

When their dance ended, Robert became overwhelmed with emotion and embraced Terri tightly as the audience cheered.

Terri, overcome with emotion herself, also fought back tears following the performance. 

She shared how much she loved her son and felt lucky to be his mother. Robert then dedicated his dance to all mothers, especially those who don’t often receive appreciation, and encouraged everyone to call their own mothers and express their love.

The routine also received resounding praise from the judges, earning a total score of 35 out of 40.

Judge Bruno Tonioli praised the number, saying it was a ‘true expression of love’.

‘[Steve] is looking at you, kid, and he’s smiling,’ Bruno said.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen countless displays of affection, but this… this was something truly special. It wasn’t just a gesture, it was a complete and total giving of oneself – a beautiful, undeniable expression of love that felt timeless and everlasting. It really showed me what giving your all truly means.

Carrie Ann Inaba told Terri that while she doesn’t have children herself, if she did, she’d hope her son would be just like Robert.

I was so touched watching the show, and it really got to me when I saw Derek Hough getting emotional too. He was Bindi’s partner when she won back in 2015, and you could tell how much her success meant to him – he was clearly fighting back tears!

‘The love I have for your family. Thank you. I just have so much love for you guys,’ he said. 

I’m incredibly proud of everything you’ve achieved. You’ve grown into a wonderful person, and the world is lucky to have the Irwin family continuing their important work.

Sister Bindi also joined Robert and Terri on stage for an emotional family hug. 

People on social media reacted much the same way, expressing strong positive feelings and admiration for the heartfelt performance.

‘I started crying before they even started. Damn you Mr Irwin!’ one viewer remarked.

Someone else shared that the story deeply resonated with them, as they also lost their father unexpectedly when they were young. They said it brought them to tears, and they’re still emotional thinking about it, seeing their own grief reflected in the story.

A third asked: ‘Why do I still cry 10+ years on for a family who I have never met in person?’

Like many others, one viewer said the performance was so moving they couldn’t help but feel emotional.

The first time I watched this, I completely missed the moment they showed his mother, and I was surprised I didn’t cry. But when I watched it again, as soon as I realized what had happened, I started crying uncontrollably!

Before the show, Robert told Entertainment Tonight how highly he thought of Terri.

‘If there is one person in my life who has truly shaped who I am, it’s my mum,’ he said.

My mom has always been the glue that holds our family together, supporting us through good times and bad. She’s a consistently strong and reliable person we can always count on.

You know, what I really admire about my mum is just how wonderfully complex she is. She’s incredibly strong, but also isn’t afraid to show her softer side, and she always makes me laugh. Honestly, she embodies everything I aspire to be as a person.

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2025-10-15 06:34