The ballroom has never seen chaos quite like this. Following Robert Irwin’s latest Dancing With the Stars performance — a bold, shirtless routine that sent shockwaves across the internet — television legend Whoopi Goldberg has thrown gasoline on an already blazing controversy. 🔥 Her remarks, made during a live segment of The View, have sparked one of the most heated public debates of the season.
Robert’s daring dance with partner Witney Carson was meant to showcase vulnerability and artistic expression. But the second his shirt came off, the tone online shifted dramatically. Some fans praised the 21-year-old for stepping out of his comfort zone and embracing creativity, while others accused the show of “sexualizing” a beloved conservationist who once inspired families around the world.
Then came Whoopi’s comments — and the conversation exploded. “It’s a little too much for prime time,” she said, referring to Robert’s routine. “I get the art of it, but he’s the Crocodile Hunter’s son, not a Vegas act.” The studio audience gasped, and social media instantly lit up with passionate reactions.
Supporters rushed to defend Robert, arguing that the performance was a tribute to courage, confidence, and evolution — not exploitation. “Steve raised his kids to live fearlessly. This is Robert expressing that same energy in his own way,” one fan tweeted. Others pointed out the double standard, noting that male contestants have gone shirtless in past seasons without backlash.
Still, Whoopi’s words found an echo among more conservative viewers, many of whom argued that Robert’s wholesome public image doesn’t align with provocative performances. One viral post read, “We loved him for his wildlife passion — not for taking off his clothes. DWTS is supposed to be about dance, not distraction.”
Insiders from the show reportedly weren’t surprised by the uproar. “Robert knew the risks,” one production source said. “But he wanted to push himself artistically. He wasn’t trying to shock anyone — he wanted to tell a story through movement.” Witney Carson herself defended her partner, calling the routine “powerful, emotional, and full of purpose.”
Meanwhile, Terri Irwin has stayed mostly silent since previously defending her son against similar criticism, though fans suspect she’s standing firmly by him behind the scenes. “Steve would’ve been proud of his bravery,” one family friend posted. “Robert’s heart is always in the right place.”
Now, as Whoopi’s comments continue to trend, the internet is fiercely divided — half defending Robert’s right to grow and evolve, half demanding that DWTS return to “family-friendly” roots. What was meant to be a moment of personal expression has instead become a cultural flashpoint — forcing everyone to ask the question: where’s the line between art and excess?
Whether you see it as liberation or controversy, one thing is certain — Robert Irwin has once again proven that even in the ballroom, the wild still runs deep.
