Robert Irwin has a secret dance move that could secure victory on ‘Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro’. The wildlife presenter confirmed he will partner with pro Witney Carson. Sources say the move blends ballroom technique with his unpredictable energy. A daring lift. A rapid-footwork sequence. It is designed to shock judges and viewers alike.
TV Insider exclusively reported the pairing. Irwin, 22, brings natural stage presence from his family’s conservation work. Carson, a two-time mirrorball champion, provides championship choreography. Their chemistry could redefine the spin-off’s dynamics. “We clicked instantly,” Irwin said in the interview. Carson called him “a wild card with precision.”
Irwin is already sharing winning advice with Season 35 cast members. E! News revealed Jackson Olson reached out to him. Irwin’s tips: authenticity, storytelling through movement, trust your pro partner. “Don’t overthink,” Irwin told Olson. “Let the dance tell the story.” Olson, a former NFL player, has incorporated that advice into his own rehearsals.
USA Today confirmed the spin-off’s premiere date. ‘The Next Pro’ airs Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC. Episodes will stream on Hulu the next day. The show features eight contestants competing in a tournament-style format. Unlike the main series, this spin-off emphasizes raw talent and innovation. No elimination in the first week; instead, judges assign performance scores.
Irwin’s secret move remains under wraps. Production insiders hint at a fusion of Argentine tango and wildlife-inspired movements. One source described it as “a predator’s pounce with ballroom posture.” The move requires split-second timing. Carson’s choreography builds to it mid-performance. Judges, including Carrie Ann Inaba, are reportedly “intrigued.”
Irwin’s background gives him an edge. He spent years presenting animal segments on ‘Crikey! It’s the Irwins’. His agility from hiking and handling animals translates to quick footwork. The spin-off format rewards such adaptability. Judges want “something they’ve never seen” — Irwin aims to deliver exactly that.
Will his secret move win the mirrorball trophy? Early odds from sportsbooks list Irwin as the second favorite behind model Nyla Mitchell. But momentum could shift. With Carson’s track record and Irwin’s untapped dance potential, the finale is wide open. The first episode airs in 47 days.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is Robert Irwin’s secret dance move on ‘DWTS: The Next Pro’?
- A: The move combines ballroom technique with Irwin’s unpredictable energy, featuring a daring lift and rapid-footwork sequence designed to shock judges and viewers.
- Q: Who is Robert Irwin’s partner on ‘Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro’?
- A: He is partnered with pro Witney Carson, a two-time mirrorball champion who provides championship choreography.
- Q: What advice did Robert Irwin give to Season 35 star Jackson Olson?
- A: Irwin advised authenticity, storytelling through movement, trusting your pro partner, and letting the dance tell the story without overthinking.
- Q: When does ‘DWTS: The Next Pro’ premiere?
- A: The spin-off airs Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC, with episodes streaming on Hulu the next day.
- Q: How is ‘The Next Pro’ different from the main ‘Dancing With the Stars’ series?
- A: It features eight contestants in a tournament-style format with no elimination in the first week, emphasizing raw talent and innovation instead of scoring alone.
Extended Reading
TV Insider exclusive on Irwin-Carson pairing: https://www.tvinsider.com/1274304/
E! News on Irwin’s advice to Olson: https://www.eonline.com/news/1433843/
USA Today premiere schedule: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2026/07/12/