For the first time since 2009, I have found myself participating in the weekly ritual of plopping down on the couch, flicking on Peacock, and gobbling up the corny, bedazzled splendor that is Dancing With the Stars. This viewing experience has surprised me in a number of ways. For one, Whitney Leavitt of #MomTok is a strong dancer edging toward reputational reform. Another fun surprise is that Dylan Efron’s hips can move like that. But perhaps the best of all has been Robert Irwin and his little fancy feet. It seems Prince William agrees.
On Tuesday night, the Prince of Wales made a surprise virtual appearance during the show to lend his support to the 21-year-old. “We’re missing you, Robert,” he said via video message. “Whilst your twinkle toes are going off elsewhere, I need you down here.” Turning to address Irwin’s pro partner, Witney Carson, he said, “You need to get him in as much glitter as you can.”
If you’re wondering why William is tight enough with a 20-something crocodile hunter to be FaceTiming with ABC, it’s because the royal is in charge of the Earthshot Prize and Irwin serves as its global ambassador. During rehearsals, Irwin mentioned he was supposed to be in Brazil alongside William for the award ceremony, at which five prizes are given for notable environmental work each year. But instead, he was busy dancing the foxtrot.
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Irwin dedicated his performance Tuesday night to his sister, Bindi, who appeared on the show in 2015. “We are doing this dance for Bindi, and we are doing this dance for Prince William, so let’s not mess this up!” he said. “There’s a lot of weight because I really want it to be our best dance yet, to be honest.”
Mission accomplished: He and Carson smashed it in a dance that earned him his highest score yet and the first perfect score of the season: 40/40. The performance culminated with Bindi running out to dance with her little brother, as they watched old footage of them with their late father splash across the screen. I’m not crying. I said I’m not crying!
