The ballroom has exploded with backlash — and this time, Dancing With the Stars fans are demanding justice. After Week 5’s emotional performances, Robert Irwin’s deeply heartfelt tribute to his mother, Terri Irwin, received a surprisingly low score, while Dylan Efron’s far less emotional routine earned higher marks. What should have been a night of inspiration quickly turned into a firestorm of controversy.
Social media was flooded within minutes of the results being announced. “A 9 for Dylan and an 8 for Robert? That’s not judging — that’s favoritism!” one viewer fumed, echoing thousands of similar comments. The hashtag #JusticeForRobert began trending across multiple platforms, with fans calling the scoring “unfair,” “heartless,” and “completely rigged.”
Robert’s dance, a raw and emotional dedication to his mother, was widely hailed as one of the most powerful moments of the season. Every movement told a story of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bond that has carried the Irwin family through grief and triumph. Viewers described the performance as “breathtaking,” “pure art,” and “a son’s love made visible.”
Yet when the scores appeared on-screen, the audience fell silent in disbelief. Carrie Ann Inaba’s 8 stood out — not because it was low by technical standards, but because it felt emotionally tone-deaf compared to the moment’s gravity. Many fans saw it as a snub, especially given her reputation for rewarding emotionally charged dances in the past.
By contrast, Dylan Efron’s performance — though graceful — was described by several fans as “polished but distant.” Even some of Dylan’s own supporters admitted that Robert’s storytelling had left a deeper mark. “Dylan did great,” one fan wrote, “but Robert moved people. That should’ve counted for more.”
Carrie Ann has yet to address the backlash directly, but insiders claim she was visibly shaken by the crowd’s reaction during the live taping. Sources close to the show say producers are monitoring the situation closely as fan outrage continues to build. “They haven’t seen this kind of blowback since the Bobby Bones controversy,” one insider revealed.
Meanwhile, Robert has stayed silent — letting his performance speak for itself. Those close to him say he’s focusing on the next dance, determined to rise above the drama with the same grace and humility that have defined his journey.
Still, fans aren’t ready to move on. “Robert deserved better,” one comment read, gaining over 50,000 likes in just an hour. And as Dancing With the Stars heads into its next episode, the question remains — will the judges make it right, or will this become one of the most talked-about controversies in DWTS history?
