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Robert Irwin’s emotional 'DWTS' dance tribute to his mom brings entire ballroom to tears

"The world needs the Irwin family."

Dancing with the Stars/Youtube

This dance was for everyone on a grief journey.

The late, great Steve Irwin, aka the Crocodile Hunter, left behind a legacy of enthusiasm and compassion for every living thing on this planet. Nearly two decades after his dad’s passing, Robert Irwin keeps that legacy of father’s spirit alive. Not just in his work with animals, but in the way he feels for others.

On the Oct 14 episode of Dancing with the Stars, the 21-year-old conservationist performed one of the most moving routines of the season: an emotional contemporary dance dedicated to his “absolute hero” mother, Terri Irwin, set to Phil Collins’ famously tearjerking ballad, “You’ll Be in My Heart.”

Before stepping onto the stage, Robert opened up about his choice. “I’ve never been able to capture the feeling of gratitude I feel for her,” he said, breaking down into tears. “At every milestone, when I just wished my dad was there, she was there. And that was enough.” (People)

@shopeatexplore Robert Irwin danced to “You’ll Be in My Heart by Phil Collins. The performance was dedicated to his mom, Terri Irwin. • • • #robertirwin #dwts #robertirwindwts #dedicationnightdwts #dancingwiththestars ♬ original sound - Shop Eat Explore

"I struggle a lot with losing dad a lot," he added during his confessional. "She always made sure my dad was present in our lives. I wanted to know how proud my dad would be of her."

As the music swelled and Robert and his dance partner Witney Carson moved across the floor, it was clear the performance was about much more than choreography. It was about love that survives loss, and about the quiet heroism of a parent who keeps a family whole when everything else falls apart.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

When the number ended, Terri appeared at the edge of the stage, tears in her eyes. Robert’s sister, Bindi, also rushed to embrace him as the audience rose in applause.

Needless to say, audiences were moved.

Holding back tears, Judge Bruno Tonioli said what everyone was feeling: “[Your father is] looking at you, kid, and he's smiling…All I can say is this was the true expression of everlasting love."”

Carrie Ann Inaba added softly, "I've never had kids, but Terri, I have to say, if I could have had kids, I would like him to be like Robert."

And Derek Hough, who once danced alongside Bindi when she competed on the same show, couldn’t hide his emotion. "The love I have for your family. I just have so much love for you guys. I'm so proud of you.…the world needs the Irwin family."

In a follow-up TikTok, Robert shared that in addition to this week’s rehearsal stirring up old emotions, there was the additional pain of recently learning his beloved dog, Stella, had been diagnosed with cancer.

@robertirwin Tough week. Emotional week. Beautiful week. Tuesday night is going to be a special moment.
♬ original sound - Robert Irwin


“It’s been a tough week,” he admitted, “but also really beautiful. This dance has just been this culmination of so much emotion, and I just want this to be a point of vulnerability. I want this to be a dance not only for my mom, but for all of the moms out there that don't get the recognition that they deserve. I want this to be a dance for anyone who's lost someone.”

He concluded, "I'm excited for you to see this. I hope this dance can help people because it's certainly helped me.”

Judging by not only the crowd reactions, but the comments as well, it sure seems like Robert was successful.

“What was on display was a son's love for his mother, and it's so pure. Robert has really embraced dance as a form of expression here, and it's so beautiful.”

“That was magical.”

“You don't dance with your feet, you dance with your heart. I lost my mom. I felt every word. Stay amazing, your dad would no doubt be so proud.”

As for Terri, she shared during the episode: “After we lost Steve, it was difficult to smile again for quite a while. But because of my kids, I could get up every morning. Every day I'm proud mama.”

Every family knows what it means to hold each other through loss, to keep showing up, and to find solace in the love that remains. It’s part of what makes the Irwin family so relatable and so inspiring.

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Watch dancers with 'insane core strength' appear to float in mid-air for iconic AGT audition

Instant AGT legends.

America's Got Talent/YouTube

Sofia Vergara's jaw dropping while watching dance audition

"America's Got Talent" auditions have given us all manner of dance performances, from expressive individuals to impressive group numbers that got the judges praising and the audience roaring. But AIRFOOTWORKS' gravity-defying, core-busting dance routine, performed in 2024, is one that will surely go down as one of the greatest dance performances in AGT history.

As the music began, no one knew what the apparatus made of poles and bars surrounding the dancers was for. But it soon became apparent that they would use it to lift themselves off the ground. What started with a simple pull-up, however, turned into an incredible synchronized dance to Justin Bieber's "Where Are U Now" in which the dancers synchronized their movements without their feet even touching the ground.

Watch:

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

The dancers, who hail from Japan, were mentored by Kenichi Eniba, who won AGT Season 8 in 2013. Their performance earned them a standing ovation from all four judges and the audience.

"Everything about the performance was perfect," said judge Sofia Vergara.

"It was so creative and so different—and so difficult, by the way," said judge Simon Cowell. "So you have a great mentor. However, even if you've got a great mentor, you've still got to be able to do what your mentor helps you to do. And you did it immaculately."

People in the comments were equally blown away.

"How do people find out they have talents like this??? 😭✋🏼🔥"

"My toxic trait is thinking I can do this without any difficulty 😅."

"Insane core strength."

"OBSESSED with this audition."

"What kind of core strength is this... flawless,🔥💯🔥"

Many people were disappointed that none of the judges hit the Golden Buzzer.

"Why no Golden Buzzer?!?!?! If I've seen any act more deserving of it, I can't recall. These guys were AWESOME!!!!!!!"

"Did they run out of golden buzzers? This is worthy."

"THEY DESERVED THE GOLDEN BUZZER!"

"This performance absolutely deserved a golden buzzer. It was just spectacular."

"Can only assume all the judges were so enthralled and mesmerized by this performance they forgot there was a golden buzzer."

AIRFOOTWORKS would end up making it all the way to the show's finale, where the group performed to an EDM mix by Steve Aoki. While they didn't receive enough votes to win the entire competition, they have certainly earned AGT royalty status.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

For more talent auditions, you can follow America's Got Talent on YouTube and TikTok.

This article originally appeared last year.

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Gen Xers prove they still got the moves in wholesome 'dance like it's the 80s' trend

Some things you never forget.

@tabathalynnk/TikTok, Photo credit: Canva

They were instantly transported back in time.

It's just a fact of life that as you get older, you somehow get "less cool." Of course, you also care much less about being cool, so it doesn't really sting all that much. But every once in a while, it's nice to show the kids that they're not the only ones who know how to vibe.

And that was exactly the feat achieved by Gen Xers during a wholesome TikTok trend that instantly transported you right back in the attitude-filled, neon colored post-disco Decade of Decadence, otherwise known as the 80s.

Specifically, it’ took you back to an 80s dance club. In the trend, which peaked around a years ago, kids asked their parents to “dance like it’s the 80s,” as the 1984 track “Smalltown Boy” by the British pop band Bronski Beat played in the background. The song's high energy tempo mixed with heartbreaking, anguish-ridden lyrics make it a fitting choice to bring us back to the time period.

As for the parents—let's just say that muscle memory kicked in the minute the tune began to play, and it was a whole vibe.

Check out Tabatha Lynn's video of her mom, Leanne Lynn, which quickly racked up over 8 million views.

@tabathalynnk

My moms 80s dance moves, I wanna be her when I grow up 😍 our kids better not ask us this in 30 years 😂 #80s #momsoftiktok #dancemoves

Leanne and Tabatha told TODAY that since going viral, the dance became a common “topic of conversation in the family text group.”

There are two factors here that folks really seem to connect with. One: 80s dancing was simple. Just moving to the rhythm, maybe a head bob for some flair or a robot if you’re feeling adventurous. Of course, the 80s had ambitious moves like the worm and the moonwalk, but for the most part it was just about groovin’ to beat.

@marynepi

One thing about Ms. Suzanne, shes gonna slay. #fypage #dance #slay #80s #yasqueen #trending #trend

Two: there’s something inexplicably heartwarming about seeing the parents light up at the chance to go back to the days of their youth.

“I can literally see the young women in these women spring out in fluidity. Love this trend,” one person commented.

@lavaleritaaa

Love her 😭 “Se me espeluco el moño” 😂 #80s #momdancechallenge

Another seconded, “I love seeing moms remember when they were just themselves.”

Of course, dads are totally rocking this trend too. Check it out:

@chrisbrown711

I dont normally do trends but i got in on this one. How did I do? #fyp #blessed #80sdancechallenge #80smusic #80s

The 80s was a time of rapid expansion for music. Much of this we have the birth of MTV to thank for, which subsequently dropped music videos, CDs and a vast array of music sub genres straight into the heart of pop culture.

Plus, the 80s brought us the synthesizer, which remains a strangely satisfying sound even in 2024. So while the era might have brought some things that most of us would prefer not to revisit—like acid washed denim and awful, awful hairstyles—some of its gems are truly timeless.

The trend also shows how, even though the weekly outing to a dance hall might be a thing of the past, people inherently want to bust a move. Luckily, there’s no shortage of clubs that cater to someone’s music tastes, no matter the era.

Speaking for 00s teens everywhere…just play the Cha Cha slide and we’ll come a-runnin.

This article originally appeared last year.

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Netherland-based dance troupe performs epic routine to "Somebody That I Used to Know"

Everything about this is pure magic.

Sergio Reis/Youtube

The costumes, the choreo, the camera work…just, wow.

Odds are you’ve heard Wally de Backer, aka Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” It’s the Australian musician’s biggest commercial hit, selling more than 20 million copies since its release in 2011, making it one of the best-selling digital singles of all time. Not to mention it inspired several amazing covers, which you might have also stumbled upon.

The music video, in its poignant simplicity, is every bit as iconic. Gotye stands naked facing the camera, as featured singer Kimbra faces him. As they sing, they are slowly “painted” into and out of the background of geometric shapes using stop motion animation. There’s a very Wes Anderson feel to it that adds so much to the story told in the song, making it all the more memorable.

All this to say…it would be a challenge to recreate the magic that’s so inherent in the original. And yet, back in 2024, Netherland based dance troupe CDK clearly understood the assignment with their highly stylized movement performance set to the well known art pop ballad.

As thousands of viewers were quick to note, it’s not just the incredible dance moves that made this performance so captivating. It’s the killer combination of choreography, camerawork and costumes that make the piece impossible to turn away from.

“This is pure art,” one person wrote. While another added, “I think I’m going to watch it everyday for the rest of my life.”

Take a look for yourself:

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

This group is clearly at the top of their game, simply by how easy they make it all look (like, I've already convinced myself that I can pull off those moves). But what’s more evident is that they enjoy what they’re doing to the nth degree. Over on their Instagram page, you'll find equally mesmerizing routines set to Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, and more.

By the way, did you know?

1: Gotye allows small independent projects, like student films—and probably this dance piece—to use his music free of charge. "If someone wants to use it commercially I look at what the budget is and the creativity of the project," he said, according to News.com.

2: CDK isn't the only group to have recently breathed new life into the song. That same year, an electronic remix of the song titled "Somebody (2024)," created by electronic music producers Chris Lake, Fisher, and Sante Sansone, debuted. Much like its predecessor, "Somebody (2024) topped the charts.

This article originally appeared last year.

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