Asked to perform a dance inspired by her most memorable year, Bindi Irwin knew the theme of her performance Monday night on “Dancing With the Stars.”
The year was 2006, when her father, Crocodile Hunter and wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin, was killed by a stingray during a television shoot. Bindi Irwin, who was growing up on screen with her father, was just 8 years old.
Irwin and professional dance partner Derek Hough chose to perform a contemporary dance set to a cover of the Police’s “Every Breath You Take.”
“What shaped me the most would probably be when my dad passed away,” Irwin said in a segment that aired just before her dance. “It’s been nine years, and I’ve never really dwelled on that point when he did pass away. I think I’m ready to kind of tell that story.
“It took a really long time to understand what actually happened,” she said through tears. “For the rest of my life, I’ll kind of feel like he’s going to come home.”
Many in the audience were in tears after the pre-recorded segment and the near-perfect dance, which earned the pair 28 out of 30 points, including the show’s first perfect 10 from judge Bruno Tonioli.
In other “DWTS” developments, pro dancer Allison Holker announced that she’s pregnant but plans to continue dancing with celebrity partner and singer Andy Grammer. It’s her first child with husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss. Holker has daughter Weslie, 7, from a previous relationship.