Robert Irwin Leads 'Dancing With the Stars' 2025 Final Five as Eliminated Contestants Predict Winner

When the Season 34 finale of 'Dancing With the Stars'ABC lights up screens on November 25, 2024, the winner won’t just be decided by judges’ scores and viewer votes — they’ll be crowned by a wave of quiet endorsements from those who didn’t make it to the final five. The five remaining couples — Robert Irwin, Jordan Chiles, Elaine Hendrix, Alix Earle, and Dylan Efron — are locked in a battle that’s as much about heart as it is about hops. And according to a surprising number of eliminated stars, the man with the crocodile-feeding pedigree might just be the one to take home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Why Robert Irwin Keeps Winning Hearts — Even From the Bench

It’s not just the judges who are smitten. The eliminated contestants? They’re practically campaigning for him. Jen Affleck, the 34-year-old reality star from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, didn’t mince words in her Parade magazine interview: “I’ll be honest, I think it’s either Robert or Alix. And I think the world sees that too.” That’s not an isolated opinion. Andy Richter, the 58-year-old actor and longtime comedy staple, went further during the show’s official podcast on November 13. “Robert Irwin is sunshine personified,” he said. “He’s just such a beautiful person... and he’s also a hell of a dancer. He’s like a world-class athlete, from jumping on crocodiles, I guess.”

There’s a reason Richter’s words stuck. Irwin, the 20-year-old Australian wildlife conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin, isn’t just a contestant — he’s a narrative. He’s the kid who grew up in the Australian outback, hand-feeding saltwater crocs before learning the foxtrot. His charisma isn’t manufactured. It’s inherited. And that’s resonating. OddsChecker analyst Peter Alexis confirmed as much in a November 20 report: Irwin holds the shortest odds to win, with Alix Earle, the 23-year-old TikTok influencer with 9.5 million followers, trailing just behind.

The Other Contenders: Talent, Tenacity, and Timing

Don’t mistake Irwin’s favoritism for inevitability. Jordan Chiles, the 24-year-old Olympic silver medalist in gymnastics, brings a level of athleticism rarely seen outside the Winter Games. Her pirouettes look like floor routines. Her lifts? Pure physics-defying grace. Then there’s Elaine Hendrix, 54, the ’90s movie darling from The Parent Trap and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion. She’s the wildcard — not just because of her age, but because she’s turned every misstep into a moment of charm. Viewers aren’t voting for perfection; they’re voting for story.

Dylan Efron, 36, and younger brother of Zac Efron, brings Hollywood pedigree and a surprisingly solid rhythm. And Alix Earle? She’s the Gen Z phenomenon. Her TikTok fame didn’t translate to dance mastery overnight — but it did translate to votes. Her emotional performances, especially during the Halloween and Latin nights, sparked a social media frenzy. One fan comment went viral: “I didn’t know I cared about ballroom until I saw her cry after her salsa.”

Even Hayley Erbert Hough, the former Dancing With the Stars troupe dancer who performed from 2019 to 2022, weighed in with exclusive predictions for Parade. Though she didn’t rank the finalists, her tone suggested the competition was the tightest in years. “Everyone brought something special,” she told the magazine. “It’s not about who’s the best dancer. It’s about who made you feel something.”

The 20th Anniversary Effect

This season isn’t just another dance-off. It’s the 20th anniversary of Dancing With the Stars, which premiered on June 1, 2005. To mark the milestone, TV Guide Magazine released a special commemorative issue — available now at DWTS.TVGM2025.com and on newsstands nationwide. The issue features behind-the-scenes shots of past champions, interviews with original judges, and a timeline of the show’s most unforgettable moments. The timing isn’t accidental. Networks know nostalgia sells. And this season? It’s built on legacy.

Robert Irwin’s presence alone ties the past to the present. His father, Steve Irwin, was a global icon of raw, unfiltered passion for nature. Now, his son is turning that same energy into dance — a medium just as unpredictable, just as emotional. It’s poetic. And viewers are responding.

What’s at Stake Beyond the Trophy

The winner doesn’t just get a mirrorball. They get a career boost. Past champions like Derek Hough, Meryl Davis, and even former NFL player Hines Ward have leveraged the win into TV deals, Broadway roles, and brand partnerships. For Irwin, a win could mean a starring role in a nature documentary series. For Earle, it could be a full-time entertainment contract. For Chiles, it might open doors to choreographing for Olympic teams. Hendrix? She’s already a beloved actress — but this could cement her as a multi-generational icon.

And then there’s the voting. The finale’s live broadcast ends at 10:00 PM Eastern Time on November 25. Votes close the moment the final note fades. No extensions. No do-overs. That’s the pressure. And the beauty. One performance, one moment, one vote — and it’s over.

Final Thoughts: A Competition That Defied Expectations

This season defied the usual pattern. No reality TV mega-star. No pop sensation. No retired athlete with a cult following. Instead, we got a teen conservationist, a TikTok queen, an Olympic gymnast, a ’90s movie star, and a Hollywood brother. And somehow, it worked. The judges’ scores have been tighter than ever. The app’s voting data — tracked daily by ABC — shows no clear frontrunner until the last two weeks, when Irwin’s numbers surged.

What led to that? Maybe it’s his authenticity. Maybe it’s the way he pauses mid-dance to smile at his partner like he’s seeing her for the first time. Or maybe it’s just that, in a world full of noise, people are hungry for someone who radiates kindness without trying.