One of the most unforgettable moments on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro didn’t come from dazzling choreography or perfect technique. Instead, it came during a quiet conversation between host Robert Irwin and contestant Allen Genkin, whose deeply personal dance honoring his late mother became one of the emotional highlights of the season. Before stepping onto the ballroom floor, Genkin revealed that he had carried the pain of losing his mother since he was just 15 years old. At one of his most vulnerable moments, Irwin offered a simple promise: “I’ll be right there with you.” Those few words helped transform an already meaningful performance into something that resonated with viewers across the country.
Allen Genkin, a longtime competitive ballroom dancer, was challenged during the show’s storytelling week to create a routine based on a deeply personal experience. Rather than choosing a lighter memory, he decided to honor his mother, who had passed away when he was a teenager. Genkin explained that she had been his biggest supporter and one of the first people to encourage his dream of one day becoming a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars. More than two decades later, he finally had the opportunity to tell her story through dance.
Preparing the routine proved emotionally exhausting. Genkin admitted that nearly every rehearsal ended in tears as memories of his mother resurfaced. Although many years had passed since her death, he explained that grief never truly disappears. Instead, it changes over time, becoming something people learn to carry rather than leave behind. That emotional weight became part of every movement he and partner Adele Zaikman created for their rumba.
Seeing how difficult the process had become, Robert Irwin decided to visit Genkin during rehearsals. Irwin understood the emotions better than most. After losing his father, Steve Irwin, when he was just two years old, Robert has often spoken publicly about growing up with grief while trying to celebrate his father’s legacy. Rather than offering rehearsed advice, he simply shared his own experience of using dance to confront emotions he had never fully expressed.
Irwin recalled his own emotional dedication performance during Dancing with the Stars, explaining how stepping onto the dance floor had allowed him to process feelings he had struggled to face. He told Genkin that movement has a unique ability to express emotions that words sometimes cannot. As Allen listened through tears, the conversation became less about competition and more about two people connecting through shared experiences of loss.
When Genkin admitted he believed this performance would make him feel closer to his mother than he had in years, emotion overwhelmed him. Without hesitation, Robert embraced him and quietly said, “I’ll be right there with you.” The brief exchange became one of the most powerful moments shown on the program, demonstrating that sometimes the greatest support comes from simply letting someone know they don’t have to face their pain alone.
Later, Genkin reflected on that conversation, describing Robert as feeling like an older brother despite the age difference between them. He said Irwin’s calm presence brought him comfort at a time when rehearsing the routine had become emotionally overwhelming. Hearing someone who truly understood grief gave him the confidence to fully commit to telling his mother’s story on stage.
When performance night arrived, Genkin and Adele danced a moving rumba to “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth. Every movement reflected Allen’s memories of his mother, and by the end of the routine, emotion had completely overtaken him. He broke down in tears as the music ended, embracing his partner after completing one of the most personal performances of his career.
The judges were visibly affected. Guest mentor Brandon Armstrong admitted he became emotional watching the performance, while Mark Ballas praised both dancers for their artistry and storytelling. Judge Shirley Ballas called it one of the most beautiful routines she had ever witnessed, highlighting not only the technical quality of the dance but also the honesty behind every moment.
Backstage, Robert Irwin greeted the pair with another heartfelt embrace, reminding Allen that his mother would have been incredibly proud of what he had accomplished. The moment reflected the message that had carried through the entire week—that dance can become more than entertainment when performers allow audiences to see their most authentic emotions.
Fans quickly praised the episode across social media, describing the interaction between Irwin and Genkin as one of the most touching moments the new series has produced. Many viewers said the conversation demonstrated the compassion Irwin has brought to his role as host, while others appreciated seeing grief discussed with such honesty and sensitivity. The emotional connection between the two men became just as memorable as the performance itself.
Although Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro is ultimately a competition, Allen Genkin’s story served as a reminder that some of television’s most lasting moments have little to do with scores or eliminations. Instead, they come from people sharing real experiences and finding strength in one another. For Genkin, Robert Irwin’s quiet promise—“I’ll be right there with you”—became the encouragement he needed to transform years of grief into a performance that touched countless viewers and honored the mother who first believed in his dream.
