Robert Irwin’s latest Dancing With the Stars rehearsal turned into a moment he’ll never forget.
While rehearsing for Wicked Week, Irwin and his professional partner, Witney Carson, were surprised by content creator and rug artist Simji, who stopped by to present Irwin with a special handmade gift. She previously introduced herself to the wildlife conservationist after a DWTS rehearsal and told him that she would love to make a rug for him.
In an Instagram clip, Irwin expressed his excitement over the item, telling Simji he remembered her offer. “I’ve been talking about this crocodile rug,” he shared, adding he was “very excited.”
She asked him to close his eyes while she rolled out her creation atop the rehearsal floor. He responded, “I love this! Absolutely.”
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Upon seeing the handmade item, Irwin couldn’t contain his shock. He exclaimed, “Oh my goodness. Amazing!”
The Dancing With the Stars frontrunner then proceeded to tell Simji that her attention to detail was amazing. He appreciated her capturing the “taper in the jaw,” and said “the nasal disc is perfect and the yellow, because people forget that crocodiles are actually yellow.”
In the comments section of the post, Dancing With the Stars’ official Instagram wrote, “Crikey! That’s AMAZING!” Irwin added, “I love it.”
Fans of the wildlife conservationist shared their own remarks. “He lowkey seems like the friendliest human on earth, this is so awesome,” one penned.
“Such a wholesome interaction! I love it and the rug looks AMAZING!!!” a second fan wrote. “Robert Irwin just seems like such a wholesome human. I love how excited he was about this rug,” a third concluded.
Robert Irwin is a ‘DWTS’ frontrunner
As Dancing With the Stars enters Wicked Week, the sixth week of competition, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson continue to rank among the top three couples. They’ve consistently earned strong judges’ scores and viewer support since the start of Season 34.
The series’ newest installment will focus on music from the Broadway musical and movie, Wicked. The couples will dance to the film’s iconic soundtracks in a recreation of the Ozdust Ballroom.
Per a Dancing With the Stars press release, Irwin and Carson will perform a Jazz routine to “Dancing Through Life” by Jonathan Bailey. The song also features Ariana Grande,Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, and Cynthia Erivo.
It adds, “The magical night carries on with a show-stopping medley to ‘No One Mourns the Wicked / Defying Gravity / For Good / Thank Goodness / Dancing Through Life / What Is This Feeling?’ from Wicked and Wicked: For Good. Then the couples perform gravity-defying routines set to the styles of Argentine Tango, Contemporary, Foxtrot, Jazz, Rumba, and Quickstep.”
Will Robert Irwin’s dance routine keep him at the top spot? After there were no eliminations on “Dedication Night,” two couples will be eliminated during the October 21st episode.
Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. The episode airs the next day on Hulu.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.