In the finals, Irwin beat out singer Nick Carter, Army National Guard Specialist Alek Skarlatos, and actor and singer Carlos PenaVega.
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She and partner Derek Hough performed two routines on finale night, including an energetic cha cha/Argentine tango fusion dance prepared in just 24 hours that scored them a ideal 30.
“I never knew I would learn so much about rhinestones and glitter and high heels”, Irwin joked, before getting her game face on.
Lynette Rice of Entertainment Weekly said the title appeared to be Irwin’s to win from the start of the show.
Irwin, who was paired with pro Derek Hough throughout the competition, consistently placed at the top of the leaderboard.
The duo’s emotional performance ended with a projected photo of a young Irwin kissing her father Steve on the cheek. “Bindi deserved it, she kicked butt”. Many Australian fans of the late Crocodile Hunter’s daughter hope that she will bring back the Mirror Ball trophy to the Land Down Under.
Irwin told People the experience was life-changing.
She added: “The only way I’d ever be able to describe it is to say it has been a gift”.
“Bindi, thank you for showing me the true meaning of taking whatever life throws at me and turning it into a positive!” she posted.
Bindi Irwin appeared on Good Morning America today to talk about her Dancing With the Stars victory.
Overcome by her emotions, Bindi hugged Hough.
Alek Skarlatos came in third but apparently can’t stop, won’t stop: He’s hitting the road with the Dancing with the Stars Live!
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The audience and judges were left in tears after a photo of the 17-year-old and the wildlife expert Steve Irwin appeared on a big screen.
