Some dances entertain. Some inspire. And then there are the rare ones that stop time altogether. On October 7, 2015, Bindi Irwin—just 17 years old—took to the Dancing With the Stars stage with partner Derek Hough for a routine that became so much more than a performance. It was a living memory, a raw embrace of grief, and a tribute to the man who shaped her world: her late father, Steve Irwin.
That week’s challenge asked contestants to create a dance inspired by their “most memorable year.” For Bindi, the answer came instantly, though not without pain. “It’s been nine years, and I never really dwelled on that point where he passed away,” she said in rehearsal. “I think that I’m ready to tell that story.” Her most defining moment wasn’t about fame, or even her conservation work—it was about loss. The year her dad died.
The rehearsals themselves revealed just how heavy the weight of that story was. Bindi broke down multiple times, struggling to keep composure as she recalled her father’s memory. Derek Hough, both her dance partner and emotional anchor, admitted he was moved to tears during practice. “It gets you thinking about just how precious life is,” he reflected.
When the lights dimmed and the music began, however, Bindi transformed. The contemporary routine, set to “Footprints in the Sand,” unfolded as something more intimate than choreography—it was a conversation between daughter and father, a movement of memory. Derek played the role of Steve’s spirit, a guiding figure who never let her fall, always lifting her through each turn and leap.
The most haunting moment came when a screen projection behind them flashed an image of young Bindi with her dad. At that instant, she broke. Tears streamed as she danced through the pain, her heart written in every motion. The audience held its breath; the judges were openly crying. It wasn’t just a performance anymore—it was a daughter’s love letter to her father, spoken without words.
As the dance ended, Bindi collapsed into Derek’s arms, sobbing. The crowd erupted into applause, and even the famously sharp-eyed panel could only offer praise. “That was a tribute to your father,” Julianne Hough said softly. “And I know you should be very proud. But he is very proud too.” Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli could barely compose themselves as they echoed the sentiment.
Social media exploded immediately after, with viewers worldwide flooding timelines with one message: Steve would be proud. The clip spread across platforms like wildfire, sparking conversations about grief, healing, and the power of creative expression. To watch a teenager navigate such raw emotion on a stage of millions was to be reminded that art doesn’t just entertain—it heals.
Bindi’s performance will forever be remembered as one of the most powerful moments in Dancing With the Stars history. Not because of its technical perfection, but because of its honesty. In those three minutes, a young girl gave her grief a voice, and in doing so, reminded the world that love doesn’t end when life does—it carries on, in footprints, in memories, and sometimes, in dance.
