Dancing With the Stars broke out the balloons, streamers and plenty of fanfare to celebrate the ballroom competition’s milestone 20th anniversary.
To kick off the Tuesday, November 11, episode, judge (and former pro) Derek Hough choreographed a stunning routine featuring the original six DWTS dancers from 2005’s season 1: Alec Mazo, Ashly DelGrosso, Jonathan Roberts, Charlotte Jorgensen, Edyta Śliwińska and Louis van Amstel.
The quarterfinalists then each performed a new routine that was inspired by a former DWTS champion’s freestyle. Robert Irwin, for his part, had everyone in tears when he honored sister Bindi Irwin’s season 21 dedication to their late father, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.
“Tonight to me was about this wildlife conservation legacy that I represent,” Robert emotionally said just before getting the season’s first perfect score. “Every time that I step onto that floor, I represent my dad, his message and what he stood for. I just want to make him proud. He’s my hero.”
After the first round of competition, the stars (save for Whitney Leavitt, who earned immunity last week) traded their pro partners for a former mirrorball winner in the relay dances. Jordan Chiles, Dylan Efron and Robert, respectively, proved victorious.
Despite the exemplary routines, Andy Richter and Emma Slater were ultimately eliminated just shy of the semifinals.
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Scroll down to see each couple’s scores from the 20th Birthday Party:
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