Robert Irwin & Witney Carson Win Dancing With the Stars 2025 — Full Finale Recap
Robert Irwin and professional partner Witney Carson were crowned champions of Dancing With the Stars (Season 34) in a tight and emotional finale broadcast on . This recap covers every performance, judges’ scores, the final standings, and what made their win so special.
Finale Highlights — What Happened
The Season 34 finale featured the top five couples performing three routines each: a Judges’ Choice, an Instant Dance (style/song revealed minutes before stage time) and an all-important Freestyle. The mix of technical prowess and storytelling made this finale one of the most talked-about in recent seasons.
Why Robert & Witney won
- Powerful storytelling and a memorable Freestyle that connected emotionally with viewers.
- High technical scores from the judges across multiple dances despite a reported rib injury that tested Robert’s resolve.
- A huge viewer vote that pushed them over the edge in a close finish.
Final Scores & Placements
| Placement | Couple | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Robert Irwin & Witney Carson | Winners — Judges’ marks + viewer votes |
| 2nd | Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy | Close runner-up; high audience engagement |
| 3rd | Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa | Strong technique, artistic choices |
| 4th | Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach | Fan favorite; polished routines |
| 5th | Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten | Entertaining performances all season |
Note: Exact numeric scores are usually published by the show and by entertainment outlets. Embed a scoreboard image here (or upload the official scoreboard) for precise breakdowns.
Judges’ Reactions & Memorable Quotes
Judges praised Robert’s growth and Witney’s choreography that balanced spectacle with vulnerability. Several judges pointed out the emotional connection and the brave choices in musicality and lifts.
Len: “A performance that told a story — technically impressive and emotionally complete.”
Bruno: “This was world-class entertainment — a perfect freestyle.”
Cheryl: “You took your weakest points and turned them into strengths tonight.”
Photo Gallery — Finale Moments
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Video Highlights
Embed the official ABC YouTube clip (or the show’s GIPHY/TikTok embed) below. Embeds increase time on page and social sharing.
What This Win Means — Analysis & Takeaways
Robert & Witney’s victory underscores how narrative and personal connection often sway the audience. In modern reality competitions, technique matters — but the audience votes for a story they can relate to and champion.
Opportunities for future seasons
- More contestants from diverse professions and causes (charity, activism) will join due to the emotional resonance fans seek.
- Choreographers will keep blending technical difficulty with narrative to maximize viewer votes.
- Cross-platform promotion (TikTok dance moments, short-form reels) will drive voting and fan engagement even more.
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Subscribe for weekly TV recapsFAQ
- Who won Dancing With the Stars 2025?
- Robert Irwin & Witney Carson won Season 34 in the finale aired November 25, 2025.
- What dances did the finalists perform?
- Judges’ Choice, Instant Dance Challenge, and Freestyle were performed by each finalist couple.
- Where can I watch the finale?
- The finale aired on ABC; check your local listings or the network’s streaming service for replays.
