Conservationist Robert Irwin and professional dancer Witney Carson were recently reunited. It was their first competitive dance since taking home the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in November 2025, marking victory in season 34 of “Dancing with the Stars.” The pair’s incredible story on the televised dance contest culminated in a tearful finale. They did it again when they performed on “Good Morning America” on November 26, 2025.
When they first reunited, Carson and her family flew more than 10,000 miles—from Alaska to Australia—to see Irwin on her home turf in Australia Zoo. It was their bond, created by dance but sharpened through their mutual love for nature, that reunited them one more time. For Carson, her family’s zoo experience was “unforgettable,” and she claimed that the one-on-one encounters like this are “special” personal interactions that get people excited.
Irwin then greeted Carson and her family with open arms, giving the young activist and her family a private tour of Australia Zoo. Along the way, he gave them close-up encounters with crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, koalas and turtles. Carson said she was excited to see her kids’ interest in animals.
“The boys have just been so enthralled, and it’s just been so cool to see them light up and be so curious and learn about all these animals,” – Witney Carson
Reflecting on their time together, Irwin stated that he feels as though he has gained a new family in America since participating in “Dancing with the Stars.” He thinks of Carson as an honorary Australian and even forecasts her children would grow up to be “future zookeepers.”
Through their time competing together on the dancing show, Irwin and Carson’s bond deepened. Motivated by the Australian Zoo’s animal mascots, Irwin effortlessly blew audiences away by bringing raw, unfiltered energy to his performances! He explained that the experience gave him the opportunity to heal parts of himself he had never been able to heal.
“I feel as though the experience on a personal level enabled me to heal parts of myself and my own journey that I’ve never actually addressed before,” – Robert Irwin
During their reunion, Irwin and Carson recreated their first ballroom dance together, a nostalgic moment that highlighted their unique partnership.
Carson referred to the reunion as having “the adventure of a lifetime.” This aspirational poetry’s survival speaks to the profound bond these two artists developed through their time together, on and off the dance floor.
