A joyful moment backstage turns into one of the most heartfelt reactions of the season
When Robert Irwin was crowned the winner of Dancing With the Stars Season 34, the celebration didn’t just happen onstage. A newly surfaced behind-the-scenes video shows just how emotional the moment was for his fellow contestants—especially Whitney Leavitt, who couldn’t contain her joy as the results were announced.
Whitney Leavitt’s pure joy steals the spotlight backstage
In the candid clip shared after the finale, Whitney is seen jumping, cheering, and repeatedly hugging Robert as he celebrates his win. Her reaction is raw and unfiltered—hands in the air, laughter, and visible emotion as she joins the rest of the cast in congratulating him.
Although Whitney was eliminated in the semi-finals, she remained firmly in Robert’s corner. Her reaction made it clear that, for the cast, the finale was about more than trophies—it was about shared journeys and friendships built under intense pressure.
@accesshollywood There’s nothing but love between #WhitneyLeavitt and #RobertIrwin after his epic #DWTS win!
Life after elimination felt like “withdrawals”
Just one week earlier, Whitney had shared a deeply emotional video reflecting on her elimination from the competition. She described how abruptly leaving the show felt disorienting and painful after weeks of constant rehearsals and close collaboration.
“When you’re cast on Dancing With the Stars, you see these people for hours every single day,” she explained. “Then it just stops. It genuinely feels like a breakup. I felt like I was going through withdrawals.”
Whitney spoke openly about how strange it felt not returning to the studio, learning new choreography, or spending time with the production team—an experience many former contestants say is one of the hardest parts of the show.
More than a competition, a shared experience
Whitney also emphasized how deeply connected the cast becomes during the season. She described the environment as one filled with encouragement, personal growth, and constant emotional support.
“You grow real friendships and real connections,” she said. “People uplift you constantly, you challenge yourself, and you feel so loved.”
That sense of community explains why her reaction to Robert’s win felt so personal. Even after elimination, she remained emotionally invested in the outcome and proud of her fellow competitor’s success.
Robert Irwin’s win marks the start of a busy new chapter
Following his DWTS victory, Robert shared that he wouldn’t be slowing down anytime soon. In an interview after the finale, he revealed plans to head straight into another major project overseas.
He confirmed that he would be traveling from the United States to South Africa to host the Australian edition of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, before eventually returning home to Australia.
A season defined by connection, not just scores
While Season 34 delivered standout performances and memorable routines, moments like Whitney Leavitt’s emotional reaction highlight what truly makes Dancing With the Stars resonate. Behind the glitter, judges’ scores, and mirrorball trophies lies a shared experience that for many contestants feels transformative.
Robert Irwin’s win may have closed the competition, but the relationships forged along the way—clearly on display in that joyful backstage moment—are what will linger long after the music stops.
