Dancing with the Stars Season 34: Who won the Mirrorball Trophy?
Dancing with the Stars Season 34 has finally crowned its new Mirrorball Trophy winner, in one of the most exciting finales in recent seasons. Fans witnessed breathtaking freestyles, emotional performances and thrilling finishes as the top finalists battled each other on the ballroom floor. In this full recap, we’ll break down who won, the final scores, the standout dances, and the key highlights from the star-studded finale.
The ballroom sparkled a little more this season – because at the end of the thrilling finale played on November 25, 2025, Robert Irwin and his pro partner Whitney Carson were crowned champions of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) Season 34, winning the famous Lane Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Here’s the full review — from the final dances to how the voting went, and what made this season unforgettable.
Big Win: Robert Irwin and Whitney Carson
- Robert and Whitney, 21, sealed the victory by performing a brilliant trio of dances: a quickstep for Judges’ Choice, a high-energy instant dance (Cha Cha), and a dynamic freestyle.
- Despite a small stumble – they scored 29/30 on Quickstep – they nailed the other two routines with perfect marks. With the audience’s votes, they advanced to the competition to lift the mirrorball.
- After his victory, Robert paid tribute to his late father by wearing a commemorative shirt and sentimental items, saying that the victory truly changed his life.
Final and final performance
Other couples who reached the final five and their final positions:
| Placement | Celebrity and Partner Placements |
|---|---|
| 2nd | Alix Earl and Val Chmerkovskiy – Perfect 30-point scores for all three routines in the final. |
| 3rd | Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa |
| 4th | Dylan Efron and Daniela Karagach |
| 5th | Elaine Hendricks and Alan Burston |
Final format
During the final stage, each couple performed three dances:
- Judges’ Choice — Selected by one of the judges.
- Instant Dance Challenge — An improvised style challenge to test adaptability.
- Freestyle — where couples can choreograph their own creative routines to show off their best style.
This format allowed fans to see everything from technical precision to spontaneous nature – and inspired dancers to perform at their best under pressure.
What made Season 34 different?
1. Family Legacy Comes Full Circle
Robert’s win is especially meaningful: His older sister, Bindi Irwin, won the show a decade ago. Now he’s following in his footsteps – but with his own style and charisma.
2. Ratings and Popularity Surge
The season became one of DWTS’ most-watched seasons in 34 years – viewership soared week after week and one semifinal episode became the most-watched in 7 years.
This surge shows that people are still loving the mix of celebrity, dance, drama and live-TV excitement.
3. High stakes, high emotions
The finale garnered more than 72 million votes – perhaps the largest total of top-two votes in the show’s history. The competition was intense, with very little difference between first and second place.
4. Variety of competitors and styles
Season 34 brought together a wide range of artists: reality stars, athletes, influencers, artists – and allowed them to showcase a variety of dance styles, from samba to quickstep and freestyle, making each episode fresh and unexpected.
Advantages and disadvantages of this season (viewer’s perspective)
Advantages
- Emotional benefit and entertainment value: Robert’s journey – from conservationist to mirrorball champion – added heart and depth.
- Top-level dances and variety: With professional choreography and a variety of styles, something new was delivered each week.
- Live voting excitement: Over 72 million votes showed that fans were highly invested, making the final match more than just the judges’ decisions.
Disadvantages
- Final Margin and Subjective Results: Some viewers argued that second-place finisher Alix Earle “deserved” to win — pointing to DWTS’ reliance on public votes, which may promote popularity over technical skill.
- Injury drama: Robert is said to have suffered a rib injury before the final – which raised concerns about the pressure on contestants to perform despite physical pain.
- Comparability question: When celebrity popularity dips in public voting, more technical dancers may be at a disadvantage.
What people are saying (reactions and fan discussion)
- Many fans praised Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa’s freestyle as “the best they’ve seen in 20 years of DWTS.”
- Others questioned the final result on social media – calling the final result “fanatic” due to Robert’s huge fan base and family legacy.
- Overall, most viewers praised the season for bringing back the high drama, emotional moments, and dance excellence that the show is known for.
Frequently Asked Questions — What might surprise you?
Q1: Who won DWTS season 34?
A: Robert Irwin and Whitney Carson won DWTS Season 34.
Q2: How was the winner determined this season?
A: There was a mix of judges’ scores and live audience votes during the finale. Each final couple performed three dances: Judges’ Choice, Instant Dance, and Freestyle.
Q3: Did Robert Irwin have any dance experience before DWTS?
A: No — he started without a professional dance background. Reaching the top shows how a new but enthusiastic person can succeed with dedication.
Q4: Who else made it to the finals?
A: The final five couples were Robert and Whitney (winner), Alix Earl and Val Chmerkovskiy (runner-up), Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa (third), Dylan Efron and Daniela Karagach (fourth), Elaine Hendricks and Alan Burston (fifth).
Q5: Where can I watch season 34?
A: All episodes of Season 34 are available for streaming on platforms affiliated with the show — check your region’s Disney+ or streaming service set up to carry DWTS.
Final Thoughts
Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars was unveiled – a whirlwind of dazzling routines, high stakes, and heartwarming individual victories. Robert Irwin’s victory seems to be more than just a trophy; It is a triumph of heart, hard work and family heritage.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering DWTS, this finale was a reminder of why dance – and storytelling – still resonates deeply. As the confetti settles, fans are already buzzing about what Season 35 will bring.
