Surprise Victory on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 34: [Winner’s Name] Takes Home the Trophy!

In an exhilarating conclusion on Tuesday night, Robert Irwin and his professional dance partner, Witney Carson, emerged victorious from “Dancing With the Stars” Season 34, claiming the prestigious Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The thrilling finale aired on ABC and was a three-hour spectacle.

Irwin outperformed four other finalists in what was described as the most challenging finale in the show’s two-decade history. The competition was fierce, with participants facing three rigorous rounds: a judges’ choice dance, an instant dance challenge, and a freestyle routine.

This season’s milestone anniversary coincided with a notable surge in viewership, making it the show’s most-watched season in recent memory.

Robert Irwin, a 21-year-old wildlife conservationist, followed in the footsteps of his sister, Bindi Irwin, who won Season 21 in 2015. During the judges’ choice round, he delivered a spirited quickstep to “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet. His freestyle performance combined “Black & Gold” by Sam Sparro with “The Nights” by Avicii. With this triumph, the Irwins have made history as the first siblings to both win the Mirrorball Trophy.

Irwin’s victory was especially remarkable given the obstacles he faced. Despite a rib injury just days before the final showdown, Irwin showed determination and perseverance. Witney Carson shared on TikTok that the injury had caused him significant discomfort, prompting adjustments to the choreography to accommodate his condition.

Alix Earle, a social media personality whose influence has been dubbed the “Alix Earle effect,” and partner Val Chmerkovskiy placed second. They performed a samba to “Hip Hip Chin Chin” by Club des Belugas for the judges’ choice and a freestyle to “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado and “Sports car” by Tate McRae. 

Earle, who hosts the “Hot Mess” podcast, attended the taping of the show’s 500th episode in November 2024 and told Elle magazine she was “obsessed” with “Dancing With the Stars.”

Jordan Chiles, the Olympic gold medalist gymnast, and partner Ezra Sosa placed third. The pair tackled a paso doble to “Breakin’ Dishes” by Rihanna for the judges’ choice round and a freestyle to “Motivation” by Normani.

Chiles represented Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she won gold in the team competition and bronze in the floor exercise.

Dylan Efron, younger brother of actor Zac Efron, and partner Daniella Karagach came in fourth place. The Season 3 winner of “The Traitors” performed a paso doble to “Stampede” by Alexander Jean featuring Lindsey Stirling and a freestyle to “Something In The Heavens” by Lewis Capaldi.

Efron, a travel influencer and YouTuber who co-produced and co-starred in the Emmy-winning Netflix series “Down to Earth with Zac Efron,” delivered a standout contemporary dance dedicated to his sister Olivia earlier in the season.

Elaine Hendrix, 54, and partner Alan Bersten made an inspiring run to the finale after the actress overcame a serious rib injury earlier in the season. Hendrix sustained the injury during her “Defying Gravity” performance on Wicked Night and was hospitalized, missing the Halloween episode on Oct. 28. She was carried out of rehearsals on a stretcher when her ribs seized up. They placed fifth. 

The “Parent Trap” actress returned to competition the following week and earned her first perfect 10 from guest judge Flavor Flav for a Viennese waltz. In the finale, she performed a rumba to “Take My Breath Away” by Jae Hall and a freestyle to “I Hope I Get It” from “A Chorus Line.”

Hendrix, who previously worked as a dancer in the 1990s before her acting career took off, said competing on the show rekindled her love of dance and represented a second chance to pursue her passion.

For the first time in the show’s history, the finale featured three rounds of competition instead of the traditional two. Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro announced the format change during the Nov. 18 semifinals, calling it “our most demanding season finale in the history of the show.”

The instant dance challenge — new to the finale format — required celebrities to perform one of four dance styles to a surprise song revealed moments before they took the ballroom floor.

All Season 34 couples returned to the ballroom for special performances, and Season 33 champions Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson performed a routine set to “Tanguera” by Fabio Hager Sexteto.

Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returned as co-hosts for the season, with Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough serving as judges.

The season premiered Sept. 16 on ABC and Disney+ and aired live simultaneously on both platforms for the third consecutive season.