The Partnership That Healed: How Robert Irwin Reignited Witney Carson’s Passion for the Dance Floor
The journey to the Mirrorball Trophy is always grueling, but for professional dancer Witney Carson, her second victory—achieved 11 years after her first in Season 19—represented far more than a title. It was a victory over self-doubt, a renewal of purpose, and a testament to the transformative power of her partnership with Robert Irwin.
Carson has openly discussed the emotional toll that a decade of relentless effort and subsequent losses took on her spirit. After her initial win in 2014 with Alfonso Ribeiro, Carson faced loss after loss—twelve in total—a string of defeats that left her feeling deeply “defeated.” She admitted to questioning her entire career path, facing fears and doubts like, “Am I even supposed to be on this show? Am I even good?”
The Defeat That Almost Broke Her
The struggle became particularly intense after Season 27, where she and partner Milo Manheim placed second. That season, which controversially saw a weaker dancer win the show, profoundly impacted Carson. Her contemporary, Alfonso Ribeiro, observed at the time that the near-miss with Manheim “broke her slightly.” He felt that she had put “everything into that season” and the lack of a win created “a bit of separation between herself, the pro, and the show.”
After that difficult period, Carson found herself operating on autopilot. While she remained committed to each season, she felt part of her passion had diminished, noting that sometimes she felt she was just “doing it for the job.” The genuine, heartfelt drive that fueled her early career had been compromised by years of competitive heartbreak.
Robert Irwin: The Catalyst for Confidence
Then came Robert Irwin. According to Carson, the partnership provided the exact emotional revival she needed. The simple fact of “Robert being Robert,” she explained, helped to put back a lot of confidence in herself that she believed she had lost for a while.
Their success culminated in a massive comeback, proving to Carson that she was still at the top of her game. Winning her second Mirrorball Trophy restored her sense of belonging, giving her the certainty that, “I can do this. I’m meant to be here.”
Ribeiro also noted the profound change in his friend and colleague during the season with Irwin, stating that her “spark” was clearly “coming back with Robert.” He observed her giving “in a different way” than she had done over the last several years, allowing herself to “open up and allow people in.” This journey wasn’t just about the dance; it was about the rebuilding of a champion’s spirit.
A Victory 11 Years in the Making
For Carson’s husband, Carson McAllister, watching the victory unfold with their two sons was the culmination of 11 years of waiting and struggle. He confessed to being “helpless” watching his wife chase that second win for over a decade. The moment the winners were announced, their reaction—captured on video—was the release of “11 years of just pent up waiting,” confirming that the win with Irwin was truly “next level.”
Ultimately, the partnership between Robert Irwin and Witney Carson was a rare and beautiful display of mutual growth, where the celebrity helped the professional rediscover her forgotten passion, resulting in one of the most emotional and redemptive victories in the show’s history.
