00:00Robert Irwin struggles to hold back tears during emotional DWTS rehearsals.
00:05DWTS frontrunner Robert Irwin opened up about his tough week of rehearsals ahead of Dedication Night.
00:12Robert Irwin and Whitney Carson are preparing for Dedication Night on Dancing with the Stars.
00:17And it's been an emotional journey.
00:19Irwin will be dedicating his dance to his mother, Terry Irwin.
00:23And he'll do a contemporary routine with Carson to the Phil Collins song, You'll Be in My Heart.
00:27Ahead of the Week 5 show airing on October 14th, Irwin took to Instagram and TikTok to share emotional and vulnerable posts.
00:36Robert Irwin is dedicating his dance to his mom.
00:39Terry, the Instagram post included five photos.
00:42Two were black and white photos showing him rehearsing with Carson.
00:46And one was a throwback picture to when Irwin's father, the crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin, was still alive.
00:52Another throwback showed him with just his mother.
00:54In addition, there was also an adorable selfie taken by the Dancing with the Stars frontrunner that included Carson and his mother.
01:02In the caption of his Instagram post, Irwin admitted,
01:06It has been an emotional week in rehearsals.
01:08He explained that he had been thinking a great deal about his mom and her strength and reflecting on many memories from his younger years.
01:16Irwin specifically noted he was thinking a lot about how his mother has kept my dad part of my life.
01:20This dance is for my mom. It's for anyone who's lost someone.
01:24And it's for all the strong mothers of the world who deserve our recognition and appreciation, Irwin added.
01:29Irwin's TikTok video showed him holding back tears and dancing with the stars.
01:34Fans were tearing up right alongside him.
01:36The caption he wrote,
01:37Tough week. Emotional week.
01:40Beautiful week.
01:41Tuesday night is going to be a special moment.
01:43He explained that his performance with Carson is designed to recognize his mother's strength.
01:48It's been tapping into emotions I haven't really been able to share before, Irwin acknowledged.
01:53Along with his grief and how his mom has helped him navigate it,
01:56Irwin also shared that he wants his dedication night dance to be a point of vulnerability.
02:02He hopes this dance can help others, because it's certainly helped me.
02:05One fan commented,
02:06You have your father's compassion and authenticity.
02:09Your mom has done an exceptional job.
02:12We're trust the journey, and we are all looking forward to your beautiful dance.
02:16Another shared,
02:17I cannot imagine how emotionally exhausting this week must have been,
02:20sending you Stella and the rest of the Irwin family love and strength.
02:24Stella's the family's dog,
02:25who's been diagnosed with cancer and undergone surgery this past week.
02:29Steve Irwin died when his son Robert was just two.
02:32As people noted, Steve Irwin died at the age of 44 in September 2006,
02:38when Robert was just two years old.
02:40In September, the Dancing with the Stars contestant told the media outlet,
02:45He's still part of every day.
02:47He's part of every conversation.
02:49He's part of my life.
02:50He continued,
02:51I feel as though I get a little part of him back in some way,
02:55in every conversation I have about him,
02:57or any news story I hear about him,
02:59or in any new photo that I haven't seen before.
03:02Terry Irwin commented on her son's Instagram post by writing,
03:06I love you forever and always.
03:08Together we are strong.
03:09Fellow Season 34 contestant Danielle Fischel wrote,
03:13I'm in tears your mom deserves this praise,
03:15and I know you and Whitney Carson are going to crush this contemporary.
03:19Several fans admitted they were already crying,
03:21and quite a few confidently wrote,
03:23they knew Irwin and Carson would crush it.
03:25Your mom kept his memory alive,
03:27but you've kept his heart alive.
03:29He'd be so proud.
03:30You're a good man,
03:31shared a supporter.
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