Robert Irwin and partner Witney Carson performed a dedication dance on the October 14, 2025, episode of Dancing with the Stars, with Robert reflecting on his late father, Steve Irwin, and the role his mother, Terri, has played in keeping his memory present. Their dance was dedicated to Terri, as well as to people who have lost someone and to mothers generally. ABC’s coverage describes an emotional rehearsal week and performance, but does not independently confirm the headline’s specific claim that Robert “sobs.”
What Robert Irwin’s dedication was about
In an ABC News preview published October 13, Robert wrote that he had been thinking about his mother’s strength and remembering time spent together as a family. He said Terri had kept his father part of his life. He described the rehearsal period as an “emotional week.” ABC News reported on his reflections ahead of dedication night.
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On the October 14 episode, Robert dedicated the performance to Terri, and also connected it to anyone who has lost someone and to mothers deserving recognition, according to ABC Audio’s pre-show coverage. Steve Irwin died in 2006 from an injury caused by a stingray while filming off Australia’s coast.
The song and the family legacy
Robert and professional partner Witney Carson danced to Phil Collins’s 2002 ballad “You’ll Be in My Heart.” ABC Audio’s post-episode recap centered the performance on the family’s legacy and quoted Robert as saying, “My mum and dad created a legacy that I’m proud to continue.” The recap identifies the song and dedication.
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Does the reporting confirm that Robert sobbed?
Not specifically. The ABC material cited here calls the week emotional and frames the dance as a moving family remembrance, but it does not establish that Robert sobbed at a particular moment. The headline’s wording should therefore be read as a characterization, not as a detail independently verified by these reports.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Bindi Irwin’s 2015 tribute differed
Robert’s dedication was for Terri, even as he remembered Steve. The family had an earlier connection to the show: in 2015, Robert’s sister Bindi performed a tribute explicitly honoring their father. ABC News reported that Bindi described revisiting the loss as challenging and emotional. ABC News covered Bindi’s tribute. The two performances share a family remembrance, but their stated dedications were different.
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