Summary (tl;dr)

Robert Irwin, a leading contestant on "Dancing with the Stars," sustained a rib injury just before the Season 34 finale, sparking widespread concern and leading to last-minute changes in his highly anticipated performance.

Essential Background

"Dancing with the Stars" is a popular American reality competition television series where celebrity contestants are paired with professional dancers to compete in ballroom and Latin dance. Robert Irwin, a wildlife conservationist and son of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, has emerged as a fan favorite and a strong contender throughout Season 34 of the show.

The Full Story

As the "Dancing with the Stars" Season 34 finale airs on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, a significant development has emerged: contestant Robert Irwin suffered a rib injury in the days leading up to the final competition. His professional dance partner, Witney Carson, disclosed the injury on Monday, November 24, via TikTok, explaining that it has forced them to modify the choreography for their crucial freestyle routine. This includes alterations to lifts and segments involving other dancers, creating a stressful situation as they prepare for their final performances. This injury follows another recent rehearsal mishap where Irwin accidentally pulled out a chunk of Carson's hair. Irwin and Carson are set to perform three dances in the finale, including a Quickstep and a Freestyle, as they compete against other finalists such as Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, and Elaine Hendrix for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

Why It Matters

The last-minute rib injury to Robert Irwin, a prominent and popular contestant, has become a major talking point ahead of the "Dancing with the Stars" finale. This development raises concerns about his ability to perform at his peak and could significantly impact his chances of winning the competition, especially given the necessary adjustments to his complex freestyle routine. Fans are keenly interested to see how Irwin and Carson will overcome this challenge and deliver their final performances, adding an unexpected layer of drama to an already high-stakes finale. Robert's older sister, Bindi Irwin, previously won the Mirrorball Trophy, placing additional family legacy on his shoulders.

Geographic Location

• CBS Television City, Fairfax, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (filming and live broadcast of the Dancing with the Stars finale, and location of Robert Irwin's injury and rehearsals)