Robert Irwin Faces Rib Injury Before Dancing With The Stars Finale

Robert Irwin has suffered a rib injury just hours before the highly anticipated finale of season 34 of *Dancing With The Stars*. The 21-year-old wildlife photographer and son of the late zookeeper Steve Irwin is among the five finalists competing in the live episode scheduled for November 25, 2025. His professional dance partner, Witney Carson, shared the concerning news via a TikTok video, revealing the stress of preparing for the final performance.

In the video posted on Monday, Carson described the day as “a little stressful,” noting the challenge of piecing together their freestyle routine. “Robert’s ribs have been killing him,” she stated, reassuring fans that he would still perform. Carson mentioned that adjustments had to be made to accommodate the injury, indicating that the team was navigating a challenging rehearsal schedule.

Reflecting on their partnership, Carson expressed her gratitude for the journey they had shared throughout the season. “I really do feel like I’ve already won in this experience with Robert as my partner,” she said. “The experiences and the memories that we’ve shared have been so special.” She also encouraged viewers to vote for them, emphasizing the surreal nature of the season nearing its conclusion.

Irwin’s injury comes on the heels of an earlier scare this month when he described a near-miss incident during a performance. He recounted, “I almost died tonight!” after choking on a piece of confetti during a team dance. Although he clarified that he wasn’t genuinely choking, he did experience a moment of panic, signaling to Carson for assistance.

Despite the discomfort from his rib injury, Irwin took to Instagram on the day of the finale, sharing a message with his followers. “See you soon America,” he captioned a short clip filmed during rehearsals. He expressed his gratitude for the experience, stating, “Thank you so much for the greatest experience of my whole life. It has been amazing.”

As the finale approaches, Irwin is competing against four other celebrity contestants: Alix Earle, Jordan Chiles, Dylan Efron, and Elaine Hendrix. According to the live prediction market Kalshi, Irwin currently holds a 49% chance of winning the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, while Earle leads with a 54% chance.

Reflecting on his time on *Dancing With The Stars*, Irwin shared on Instagram, “Dancing With the Stars has changed my life in a lot of ways. But being part of this experience with Witney has been my favourite part.” He concluded his message with a bittersweet sentiment, looking forward to one last chance to dance.

The excitement surrounding the finale continues to build as fans eagerly await the performances of all finalists. Irwin’s resilience in the face of his injury and the dedication shown by both him and Carson highlight the spirit of competition that has captivated audiences this season.