By Melissa Fleur AfsharShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberDespite his enormous popularity, Robert Irwin’s surprise victory on Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) has stirred a digital uproar among fans who say the much-loved wildlife conservationist did not deserve the crown—and that social media star Alix Earle did.
“This is beyond rigged. Alix EARNED it,” one disappointed viewer wrote in a comment under a viral TikTok video showcasing the finale. Another commenter added: “Love him but Alix got ROBBED.”
Twenty-one-year-old Irwin, son of late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, and his dance partner Witney Carson lifted the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in the November 25 finale, following several competitive rounds and a record-breaking 72 million viewer votes.
Despite finishing second on the judges’ scoreboard behind 24-year-old Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy, Irwin’s widespread popularity appeared to clinch the win.
...The finale sparked an immediate backlash, particularly from viewers who had followed Earle’s rise on TikTok and Instagram and had expected her strong late-season performances to secure the title. After all, the media personality had achieved the perfect score of 90 during the final points roundup. The show had already seen an explosive season, with plenty of drama outside the ballroom becoming talking points for fans online.
Some fans believed the judges went too easy on Irwin during the final performances and questioned why Earle’s injury to her rib had not been highlighted in the same way as his.
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“I’m really curious why Alix’s rib injury hasn’t been talked about at all this season,” Threads user @christym2126 posted. “It’s in her vlogs and she talks about it on social. So, it’s not like she doesn’t want people to know about it. But it’s not being included in any of her packages. Yet Robert’s injury had a major highlight already tonight.”
"Robert was digging for sympathy votes this whole season," another commenter on the viral TikTok video by @genesisssmc shared.
Season 34 of ABC’s long-running reality dance competition had featured five finalist couples.
What to Know
- Winners: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson claimed the Mirrorball Trophy.
- Runner-Up: Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy finished in second place.
- Third Place: Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, whose freestyle featured Normani, placed third.
- Fourth Place: Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach.
- Fifth Place: Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten.
- Final Scores: Alix and Val led with 90 points; Robert and Witney and Jordan and Ezra tied at 89; Dylan and Daniella earned 88; Elaine & Alan scored 87.
- Special Performances: All season 34 couples returned for group dances to Tyler, The Creator’s “Sugar on My Tongue,” Lady Gaga’s “Applause,” and Alexander Jean’s “I Don’t Dance.” Season 33 champions Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson also performed.
- Future of DWTS: ABC has not yet confirmed season 35, but the show’s renewed popularity makes a return highly likely.
The scoring format combined judges’ scores from three dance rounds—Judges’ Choice, Instant Dance, and Freestyle—with viewer votes to determine the winner, with the eventual announcement leaving Irwin in tears.
Online chatter in the days leading up to the finale heavily favored Earle, who had been a breakout performer in the season.
Still, Irwin's performance on and off the dance floor earned him a strong fan base. Throughout the season, he was praised for his steady improvement, humility and charm, though some still believe he should not have succeeded in raising the trophy.
...Threads user @the.library.of.t criticized the scoring outright in a post from November 25.
“Robert getting all 10s on that instant dance is absolutely INSANE," they shared. "There were so many very obvious mistakes. HOW?!”
Despite the backlash, Irwin’s supporters and other fans of the show celebrated the win, with many citing his resilience and likability.
"Guys how is it robbed when it’s who voted," one Irwin fan commented on the viral TikTok post, amid comments calling for Earle to have won. "ANYWAY, I'VE NEVER SCREAMED LOUDER MY VOTE COUNTED."
The finale was also an emotional full-circle moment for the Irwin family, who lost Steve Irwin in 2006. Irwin’s sister, Bindi, won the show in Season 21, exactly 10 years prior.
“My sister said it best, ‘thank you for changing my life!’” the Australian said in the finale broadcast.
Newsweek reached out to ABC and @genesisssmc for comment via email.
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