Witney Carson Reveals Robert Irwin’s Painful Rib Struggles Ahead of the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 34 Finale

Mian Hamid November 26, 2025
Witney Carson Reveals Robert Irwin’s Painful Rib Struggles Ahead of the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 34 Finale

As the Dancing with the Stars Season 34 finale approaches, Robert Irwin is pushing through more than just final-week nerves. According to his pro partner Witney Carson, the 21-year-old wildlife conservationist is dealing with painful rib issues just days before hitting the ABC stage one last time.

In a TikTok posted Monday, Nov. 24, Carson opened up about the duo’s physical and emotional state as they wrap up their final rehearsals. The 32-year-old DWTS pro revealed that Robert has been experiencing significant rib pain, teasing that “more will be revealed” during Tuesday’s finale episode.

After “11 weeks of crazy, vigorous, hard dancing,” Carson admitted both she and Robert are physically drained.
“My body is feeling it. Robert’s body is feeling it. We’re kind of falling apart,” she said. “We’re just trying to hold it together for two more days.”

Carson did not specify how the injury happened but promised fans they would “get a better idea of what we’ve been dealing with all week” once the finale airs.

The TikTok was filmed while Carson was preparing for the final camera blocking of Season 34 and heading into rehearsal with Robert — the son of the late conservationist Steve Irwin.
“I’m headed to rehearsal to clean up what we need for blocking, then we go to Television City to lock the freestyle,” she said. “Knowing Robert, he’ll rehearse until the very last second.”

Carson revealed the pair stayed at the studio the previous night until staff “literally had to kick us out at 9 p.m.” She added, “We’re going to have absolutely no regrets.”

DWTS Season 34 Finale Lineup

Carson and Irwin are among several fan-favorite teams vying for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in Tuesday’s three-hour finale. Other finalists include:

  • Alix Earle & Valentin Chmerkovskiy

  • Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa

  • Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach

  • Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten

Carson described Season 34 as “emotional” and shared that the end feels “bittersweet.”
“I was so emotional yesterday, I couldn’t stop crying,” she said, explaining that the exhaustion and the looming end of the journey hit her at once.

The Florida-based dancer added that she’s ready to return home after months of filming in Los Angeles, but leaving such a meaningful season is still tough.
“This entire experience has been such a beautiful, special gift,” Carson said. “I already feel like I’ve won with Robert as my partner.”

The Irwin Family’s DWTS Legacy

If Robert wins the Mirrorball Trophy, he’ll become the second Irwin to do so. His sister Bindi Irwin took home the title in 2015. At the Steve Irwin Gala earlier this year, Robert shared the advice Bindi gave him before joining DWTS:
“She told me, ‘Go into this and make it your own. It’s going to be a completely different experience.’”

The Dancing with the Stars Season 34 finale airs Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 8 p.m. EST/PST on ABC.

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