Robert Irwin is getting emotional as he prepares for Dancing With the Stars season 34’s dedication night on Tuesday, October 14.
Robert, 21, and professional dance partner Witney Carson will perform a contemporary dance to “You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins, a performance the wildlife conservationist is dedicating to his mother, Terri Irwin.
Ahead of Week 5 of the ABC reality ballroom dancing competition, Robert reflected on rehearsing for Tuesday’s live broadcast over the past week, sharing his thoughts on what his performance means to him.
“It has been an emotional week in rehearsals. I’ve been thinking a lot about my [mom] and her strength, I’ve been Robert on the times we’ve spent as a family and how she has kept my dad part of my life,” Irwin wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday, October 12, alongside several photographs of him and Carson in the rehearsal studio, as well as a photo of Terri joining the pair in the studio.
‘DWTS’ Season 34 Dedication Night Songs and Special Guests Revealed
Robert continued, “This dance is for my [mom], it’s for anyone who’s lost someone… and it’s for all the strong mothers of the world who deserve our recognition and appreciation ❤️.”
Terri, 61, dove into the comments section with a sweet message for her son. “I love you forever and always. Together we are strong 💕,” the late Steve Irwin’s widow wrote.
“So proud of you,” wrote Carson, 31.
One of Robert’s fellow DWTS costars also weighed in on his sweet dedication to his mom.
Boy Meets World star Danielle Fishel commented, “I’m in tears – your mom deserves this praise and I know you and @witneycarson are going to crush this contemporary! ❤️❤️”
Tuesday’s dedication night episode of DWTS will see the remaining celebrity contestants and their professional partners perform a routine in honor of a friend or family member.
Fishel, 44, will perform a jive routine to the Boy Meets World theme song, “Boy Meets World” by Twenty Cent Crush featuring Phil Rosenthal, which she will dedicate to costar William Daniels, 98, best known for playing Mr. Feeny.
Dylan Efron, meanwhile, will perform a contemporary dance dedicated to his younger sister, Olivia. Fittingly, he will dance to “Rewrite the Stars,” performed by his older brother, Zac Efron, and Zendaya for the soundtrack to The Greatest Showman.
Robert Irwin Through the Years: From Wildlife Work to TV Star
Meanwhile, Robert and his dance partner recently spoke to Us Weekly about developing a close bond since being paired together on the hit ABC show.
“We are just having the best time. I feel like we’ve become like this brother and sister duo,” Robert exclusively told Us after the Tuesday, October 7, episode.
Carson agreed with Irwin, telling Us. “100 percent.” She added, “I feel very protective over him, especially when the DMs get a little crazy. I get a little protective.”
Carson continued to praise Robert, saying, “He is an absolute dream partner and very humble. I gotta knock him down a little bit sometimes, keep you grounded, critique you a little bit more. But no, he is just as great as you guys see on TV.”
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, with new episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.
