Sparks fly between Xochitl Gomez and Robert ‘Twinkle Toes’ Irwin as ‘DWTS’ turns 20

by

Tuesday night, “Dancing With the Stars” celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special episode featuring returning stars and the nine contestants still in the competition.

The show’s opening performance included six dancers who’ve been with the program since 2005, and was choreographed by judge Derek Hough. Later, nine previous winners returned to team up with the current contestants in a special relay dance. Host Tom Bergeron also made a guest appearance as a judge, excitedly praising a salsa performance by Elaine Hendrix, saying, “That was really good!”

Television

The actress, known for her role in a Marvel film, received online criticism for portraying a character in ‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ who was originally written as white. She’s now speaking out about how she responded to that negativity.

Bergeron kicked off the show by saying he was excited to be there, calling it a ‘rush.’ He hosted the show for many years, but disagreements with management about casting Sean Spicer, a former press secretary for President Trump, led to his departure in 2019.

On Tuesday’s show, Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro hosted, while Tom Bergeron focused on announcing the dancers’ scores.

Prince William made a surprise video call during the show to support Robert Irwin as he performed the foxtrot. He also playfully acknowledged that Irwin had missed the EarthShot Prize awards ceremony. Irwin was originally supposed to join William in Rio de Janeiro last week, but his commitment to “Dancing with the Stars” took priority. While William was understanding, he jokingly didn’t completely let Irwin off the hook.

Speaking from Brazil, where he was on a five-day trip without Catherine, the Princess of Wales, the future king told Robert he missed him and needed him to return, playfully referencing Robert’s dancing skills.

×

Irwin received a visit from his sister, Bindi—a past winner of ‘Mirror Ball’—and her daughter Grace. During the week, one of his dances honored Steve Irwin, Bindi and Robert’s father, a wildlife expert who tragically died in 2006 after being stung by a stingray. Host Bergeron pointed out that he and Robert hadn’t seen each other in ten years, and the last time they did, Robert was just eleven years old, watching Bindi perform.

Robert Irwin shared that whenever he’s on set, he feels like he’s representing his father, carrying on his legacy and values. His main goal is to make his dad proud, as he considers him a hero.

Xochitl Gomez, the recent champion of ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ feels a strong connection to the Echo Park neighborhood.

The night reached its peak when Irwin and his partner Witney Carson received four perfect 10s from the judges – a first for the season. They weren’t the only ones! Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, and Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas all followed suit with perfect scores of their own.

Irwin came back during the show to dance a jive with Xochitl Gomez, the winner of Season 32. Gomez, a Marvel actress, won the Mirror Ball trophy in December 2023 at just 17 years old. Irwin and Gomez had great chemistry and won the dance relay challenge against Earle and Joey Graziadei, the champion from Season 33 who is known from “The Bachelor.”

After the couples finished their dances, judge Derek Hough exclaimed, “That was incredible! Robert and Xochitl, your connection… wow! It was truly beautiful.”

“It was a blast, honestly,” Irwin said while waiting for the results with Gomez. “I almost felt sorry for Witney – she definitely had her hands full.”

Irwin and Gomez, at ages 21 and 19 respectively, could face challenges if they decide to pursue a romantic relationship on the show.

Television

Just like his sister Bindi, Robert Irwin impressed the judges on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ during his first dance with professional partner Witney Carson.

Bergeron once asked the network to reinstate the results show and allow viewers nationwide to vote.

For the first time, “Dancing with the Stars” paid tribute to former contestants and a judge who have passed away since the show began in 2005. The In Memoriam segment honored stars like Kirstie Alley, Aaron Carter, Shannen Doherty, Valerie Harper, Anne Heche, Florence Henderson, Jacoby Jones, Suzanne Somers, Jerry Springer, Cloris Leachman, Mary Wilson, and Len Goodman, who retired from the program before his death in 2023. This tribute was part of the show’s 20-year, 34-season celebration.

Judge Goodman, famous for being the most critical member of the panel, also had a dedicated segment on the show, which deeply moved fellow judge Bruno Tonioli.

Read More

2025-11-13 00:01