Robert Irwin faced a terrifying health scare during a recent episode of Dancing With the Stars. The 21-year-old wildlife conservationist shared that he nearly choked on confetti while performing with his partner Witney Carson.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Irwin described the alarming moment, saying, “I almost died tonight!” The incident took place during a group dance, led by Julianne Hough, where the team sported school uniforms and danced to Kool & the Gang’s hit “Celebration.” He recounted the moment at the end of the performance when confetti rained down from above. As he slid under fellow dancer Elaine Hendrix, he accidentally inhaled a piece of confetti.
“I went over to Witney, and I think they cut away, and I inhaled a piece of confetti,” he explained. “I couldn’t breathe.” Thankfully, Carson quickly sprang into action, and after he mimicked the choking motion, Irwin was able to dislodge the confetti, allowing him to breathe again, which brought relief to both him and the audience.
After the episode, Irwin humorously expressed his gratitude for being able to continue dancing, stating, “I nearly wasn’t!” Carson promised to act as a shield in future performances to prevent any more confetti-related incidents.
Following the scare, Irwin and Carson performed the paso doble to “Icky Thump” by the White Stripes, earning high praise from the judges, including perfect scores of 10 from Bruno Tonioli and guest judge Flavor Flav. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba noted Irwin’s strong performance, suggesting he is building momentum for a possible spot in the finale.
Irwin’s experience highlights the challenges faced by contestants in the competition. Similar to him, Dylan Efron has recently shown resilience after overcoming a broken nose during rehearsals, while Kaitlyn Bristowe has discussed the physical struggles that come with competing on the show.
Irwin’s health scare underscores the unpredictable nature of live performances; however, his resolve to keep dancing is an inspiring reflection of the perseverance found in the contestants. As the competition heats up on Dancing With the Stars, Irwin and his supporters are looking forward to more exhilarating performances in the weeks ahead.