It wasn’t part of the competition, and it wasn’t even announced ahead of time. But what Robert and Bindi Irwin brought to the Dancing With the Stars stage during premiere week left the audience in tears — and brought the spirit of Steve Irwin roaring back to life.
In a surprise segment ahead of Season 34’s debut, Robert, 20, and Bindi, 26 — herself a former DWTS champion — performed a vibrant jive that was equal parts celebration and catharsis. Behind every kick, spin, and smile was a story of love, loss, and a legacy that continues to inspire.
Titled Jive for Steve, the tribute began with home video of their father: barefoot and laughing, wrangling crocodiles, and cradling his young children. As Elton John’s Crocodile Rock began to play, the energy in the room shifted — the crowd already sensing this was going to be something unforgettable.
Wearing khaki-inspired dance outfits with subtle crocodile motifs, the siblings launched into fast, precise footwork. Yet the real power of the moment came from their connection — beaming at each other, tearing up mid-spin, and dancing like they were back in their father’s arms.
Midway through the routine, they stopped in perfect sync and raised two fingers to the sky. The studio went silent. Then, with the music kicking into an even faster tempo, they danced with renewed force, closing with a daring lift and soft landing at center stage. The crowd rose instantly to its feet.
The judges, typically focused on technical notes, were visibly moved. Derek Hough wiped away a tear, calling the performance “pure soul.” Carrie Ann Inaba described it as “the most meaningful jive we’ve ever seen,” while Bruno Tonioli simply whispered, “Steve would be proud.”
Online, the reaction was explosive. Hashtags like #JiveForSteve and #IrwinLegacyLivesOn trended within hours, with one fan writing, “That wasn’t a dance. That was a resurrection.” For Robert, it was his first time honoring his father on the DWTS stage, while Bindi had previously done so during her Season 21 winning run.
Backstage, Robert’s voice cracked as he told co-host Julianne Hough, “To Dad, to the fans, to everyone who’s kept his spirit alive — dancing with my sister, it felt like he was with us.” Bindi added, “This wasn’t a goodbye. It was a hello from Heaven.” In that moment, it was clear: the Irwin legacy isn’t just alive. It’s dancing.
