The highly anticipated season 34 finale of Dancing with the Stars has been hit with a dramatic last-minute setback as one of the frontrunners, Robert Irwin, revealed a significant injury just hours before the live broadcast.
Irwin's professional dance partner, Witney Carson, disclosed that the wildlife conservationist and television personality suffered a rib injury. This news throws a cloud of uncertainty over their final performance as they vie for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Five Couples Compete for the Crown
The competition remains fierce with five couples still in contention for the championship title. The finalists are: Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles with Ezra Sosa; reality TV personality Dylan Efron with Daniella Karagach; actress Elaine Hendrix with Alan Bersten; wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin with Witney Carson; and social media influencer Alix Earle with Val Chmerkovskiy.
Each of these pairs has battled through the season to earn their place in the grand finale, scheduled for Wednesday 26 November 2025.
The Finale Format and How to Watch
During the live finale, the pressure will be immense as each couple is required to perform three separate routines. These will include a Judges’ Choice dance, an Instant Dance, and a show-stopping Freestyle routine.
The ultimate winner will be decided by a combination of the judges' scores and the votes from viewers at home. The season culminates tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. For those who miss the live show, the finale will be available for streaming on Hulu starting Wednesday.
The revelation of Robert Irwin's injury adds a layer of suspense to an already nail-biting conclusion. Fans will be watching closely to see if he and Witney can overcome this physical hurdle and dance their way to victory.
