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.
Related: ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Week 9 Spoilers: Every Song and Dance from the 20th Birthday Party Night
Additionally, the celebs will participate in this season’s edition of the “Dance Relay.” This time, however, their partner will not be a pro, but a previous DWTS winner. Once that information was out, fans were understandably quick to predict that, given the song choice, Bindi would strap on her dancing shoes once more to join her brother in such a meaningful song to their family.
Unfortunately, that Irwin reunion will need to wait at least one more week. The DWTS Instagram account posted each of the celebrities with their temporary partners. And it turns out Robert won’t be with Bindi, but instead Xochtl Gomez. The MCU star is a recently-minted champ, having won the show two years ago alongside Val Chmerkovskiy.
So it looks like Robert and Bindi won’t get the chance to share the stage at this week’s 20th birthday party. But, given his upcoming remagining of arguably the climax of her DWTS experience, it’s safe to say she’s there in spirit.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 8, 2025, where it first appeared in the TV section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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