Ahead of the “Dancing with the Stars” Season 34 finale, fan-favorite competitor Robert Irwin said he has felt “incredibly grateful” for his experience on the series, particularly because of his newfound friendship with his Utah native dance partner, Witney Carson.
“I really feel like we’ve gained another Irwin family member,” the wildlife conservationist said of Carson, per “Entertainment Tonight.” Irwin added that Carson has take on a big sister-type role in his life.
He continued, “(Carson) is one of my absolute closest allies and best friends now. But also, from a dancing perspective, she’s given me this gift, this avenue to express parts of my story and myself that I never thought possible, and that is just something that I will remember and take with me.”
If Irwin and Carson take home the Mirrorball Trophy tonight, then Robert and Bindi Irwin — who took home the trophy with Derek Hough in Season 21 — will be the first star siblings to both win the series.
Odds are in their favor. Irwin and Carson are favored with a 90% chance of winning, according to Gold Derby, which has accurately predicted the “DWTS” winner for the past three seasons.
Irwin and Carson will have to beat out the four other remaining couples — which includes Utah native Ezra Sosa and his partner, Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles. Couples Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, and Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten will also compete in the finale.
Each couple will perform three routines during the two-hour special. There is no theme for the finale.
“It’s been a very, very challenging week, but we’re just trying to enjoy it as much as much as possible, because this won’t happen again,” Carson said ahead of the finale. “Whatever happens — happens. We’ve put in the most work that we can possibly do, and now it’s just time to have fun."
What routines will each ‘DWTS’ couple perform for the finale?
Each “DWTS” couple will perform three routines for the finale. The first is “Judges’ Choice,” in which judges offer coaching and guidance as couples on a new ballroom or Latin dance style for the final challenge.
The “Judges’ Choice” is followed by a freestyle routine — an anything-goes dance where couples can mix styles, lifts and other creative moves to impress the judges.
Finally, each couple will also perform an “instant dance” to a song revealed moments before they are asked to perform.
Here is a look at what each couple will perform during the “Dancing with the Stars” Season 34 finale.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
Wildlife conversationist Robert Irwin and his partner, Utah native Witney Carson, will dance a quickstep to “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet for the Judges’ Choice round.
For the Freestyle round, Irwin and Carson will perform a freestyle routine to “Black & Gold” by Sam Sparro and “The Nights” by Avicii.
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
Alix Earle, a social media personality, and her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, will perform a samba to “Hip Hip Chin Chin” by Club des Belugas for the Judges’ Choice round.
For the Freestyle round, Earle and Chmerkovskiy will dance a freestyle routine to “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado and “Sports Car” by Tate McRae.
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
Reality TV star Dylan Efron and his partner, Daniella Karagach, will perform a paso doble to “Stampede” by Alexander Jean featuring Lindsey Stirling for the Judges’ Choice round.
For the Freestyle round, Efron and Karagach will perform a freestyle to “Something In The Heavens” by Lewis Capaldi.
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles and her partner, Utah native Ezra Sosa, will perform a paso doble to “Breakin’ Dishes” by Rihanna for the Judges’ Choice round.
For the Freestyle round, Chiles and Sosa will perform a freestyle to “Motivation” by Normani.
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten
Actress Elaine Hendrix and her partner, Alan Bersten, will dance a rumba to “Take My Breath Away” by Jae Hall for the Judges’ Choice round.
For the Freestyle round, Hendrix and Bersten will perform a freestyle to “I Hope I Get It (from A Chorus Line)” by District 78 for the Freestyle round.
How to watched the ‘DWTS’ finale
The “Dancing with the Stars” two-hour finale will air Tuesday at 7 p.m. MDT on ABC. It will also be available to stream live on Disney+ and on Hulu the next day.