Dancing With The Stars Finale Thrown Into Chaos by Robert Irwin's Injury
Robert Irwin's shot at winning the coveted Mirrorball Trophy on Dancing With The Stars has hit a major hurdle, with his professional partner Witney Carson revealing a worrying injury just one day before the grand finale.
A Painful Setback Emerges
Speaking on Monday ahead of the final performance, Carson shared that the young Australian wildlife warrior has been battling a significant and painful rib injury. The injury was sustained during the intense rehearsal period in the lead-up to the final show, forcing the fan-favourite duo into a stressful, last-minute overhaul of their carefully crafted routine.
In a candid TikTok video posted the same day, Witney did not hold back about the physical toll the competition has taken. "My body is feeling it right now, Robert's body is feeling it right now," she admitted. "We're kind of falling apart." She specifically highlighted the severity of Robert's issue, stating, "Robert's ribs have been killing him," though she kept the exact cause of the injury under wraps.
Last-Minute Scramble to Adapt
The unexpected blow has completely changed their preparation strategy. To compensate for Robert's limited mobility and pain, Carson was forced to make significant adjustments to their final dance choreography. In a move that adds pressure so close to showtime, she revealed they have had to bring in additional dancers for support during their routine.
"It's honestly the most stressful part, just getting it all together," Witney explained about the frantic revisions. "It's going to take some time, and we're going to have to run it a lot to make sure everything comes together for Tuesday." She promised that viewers would "get a better idea of what we've been dealing with all week" when the finale airs in the US on Tuesday night, which is Wednesday at 12 pm AEDT for Australian audiences.
Pushing Through for the Trophy
Despite the painful setback, the pair remain fiercely determined. Robert Irwin, who has won over American audiences with his Aussie charm, is intent on following in the footsteps of his sister, Bindi Irwin, who previously won the competition. He has continued rehearsing right up to the final moments.
Witney, a seasoned pro on the show, admitted she still gets "little butterflies" before a finale, even after a decade of experience. Her focus, however, is on ensuring they leave everything on the dancefloor. "We're going to have absolutely no regrets by the end of this," she stated firmly. Expressing her pride in her partner, she added, "I already feel like I've won with Robert as my partner — the experiences and memories we've shared have been so special."
Ahead of his final dance, Robert took to Instagram on Monday to reflect on the journey, calling Dancing With The Stars a life-changing experience. He singled out being paired with Witney as his favourite part. "We've made it to the finale and it's bittersweet ..." Robert wrote. "One last chance to dance."
