“I AM SORRY, THAT WAS MY IDEA.” With those six words, Dancing With the Stars pro Witney Carson has shattered the silence surrounding Robert Irwin’s now-viral “shirt-off” routine — a performance that sparked one of the biggest controversies of the season.
At first, all eyes were on Robert. Fans accused him of going too far, critics slammed the routine as “nudity,” and the internet spiraled into debates over whether the Crocodile Hunter’s son had crossed a line his late father would never have approved of. But soon, the backlash shifted — straight onto Witney Carson.
Floods of comments poured into her social media, with many fans arguing she had “misguided” Robert and “exploited his innocence.” Harsh accusations claimed Witney turned a heartfelt journey into a gimmick, with one viral post even accusing her of “invading Robert’s privacy” in front of millions of viewers.
Faced with the growing storm, Witney released an emotional apology video late last night. Holding back tears, she admitted the bold idea of removing Robert’s shirt mid-dance was entirely hers. “I just wanted to highlight his growth and confidence,” she explained, voice trembling. “I never, ever wanted to hurt him, his family, or the legacy they represent.”
The video quickly spread across platforms, sparking another round of intense reactions. Some fans rushed to defend Witney, praising her honesty and bravery for taking full responsibility. Others weren’t as forgiving, insisting that the move had already “tainted” Robert’s otherwise inspiring DWTS journey.
In the video, Witney emphasized that her intentions had been pure. She described seeing Robert’s confidence evolve week after week, and how the decision was meant to symbolize that transformation. “I thought it would be empowering,” she admitted, “but I realize now it was the wrong call.”
Robert himself has yet to respond directly to Witney’s apology, though insiders claim he was “deeply touched” by her words. Close sources say the two remain a united team behind the scenes, focusing on bouncing back stronger in the coming weeks of the competition.
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Meanwhile, the Irwin fandom remains divided. Some argue that Witney’s apology proves the moment was never about disrespecting Steve Irwin’s legacy, but rather about celebrating Robert’s courage. Others believe the damage is already done, and that the controversy could cost Robert valuable votes moving forward.
What happens next could define the rest of their season. With the cameras still rolling and the ballroom waiting, Robert and Witney now face their toughest challenge yet — not just to win points, but to win back trust. And in the high-stakes world of Dancing With the Stars, that might be the hardest dance of all.
