In a beautiful behind-the-scenes moment, Robert Irwin was spotted rehearsing a heartfelt reinterpretation of his sister Bindi Irwin’s iconic freestyle to Leona Lewis’s “Footprints in the Sand.” The dance, originally performed by Bindi during her Dancing With The Stars season, moved millions — and now, Robert is bringing it back in honor of his sister and their family’s legacy. This touching rehearsal is part of the upcoming 20th Anniversary Special of the show, and even in practice, the emotion is undeniable. Fans say it’s already giving them chills — a glimpse of what promises to be one of the most moving tributes in DWTS history.
‘I’m gonna be a mess!’ one person excitedly writes about the upcoming 20th birthday party.
Key Points
Dancing with the Stars marks 20th anniversary with a celebration episode.
Robert Irwin will reinterpret Bindi Irwin’s iconic freestyle to “Footprints in the Sand.”
Bindi won’t join Robert; his Dance Relay partner is Xochitl Gomez, not his sister.
This week, Dancing with the Stars will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a big birthday bash. Considering Robert Irwin is currently in the hunt for the Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy, you’d think the evening would be an excuse to bring his sister Bindi Irwin in as a blast from the past. And, while the Season 21 winner won’t be on the dance floor, eagle-eyed fans have discovered she’ll be connected to him in a completely different way.
The hit ABC reality series just released its weekly list of songs and dances. For the 20th birthday party, the seven remaining couples will reinterpret a memorable freestyle performance from a previous season. Robert and his partner Witney Carson will be doing a Foxtrot to “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis.
But fans have picked up that there’s a larger connection to the song. That’s because the reinterpretation will be of a routine that Bindi herself did during her champion season alongside her then-partner (and now judge) Derek Hough. The number is one of the most famous across the two decades of DWTS, as the beautiful sequence finished with a dedication to Bindi’s late father, Steve Irwin. Naturally, the conservationist’s Freestyle received perfect scores from the judges, and arguably secured them the win.
When ABC revealed “Footprints in the Sand” was going to have its reprise in Tuesday’s episodes, DWTS fans were quick to jump on the Irwin connection. Several people posted videos of Bindi’s routine, along with the news. And the comments section was filled with not only reverence for Bindi’s version, but eagerness for Robert’s.
“Ok just making sure we’re all gonna be wrecked next week right? I’ll bring the tissue for all of us, who’s bringing the comfort snacks?” writes one person.
“Derek better give him a 10,” says another.
“IM GONNA BE A MESS,” someone else easily predicts.
