Bindi Irwin, the daughter of late wildlife expert Steve Irwin (a.k.a. The Crocodile Hunter), has been doing very well on Dancing With the Stars, garnering new fans left and right. In the first part of this season’s finale Monday night, Bindi dedicated her dance routine to her dad.
She and her partner, Derek Hough, honoured Steve’s memory to the song “Footprints in the Sand.”
Before the performance, Bindi announced that it was never easy to reflect on her father and his legacy.
“I never really talked about everything that I felt when Dad passed away, and I never thought I’d revisit that,” Bindi said. “But to have Derek there to say, ‘It’s OK, I’m there for you,’ was something that I was so grateful for. Sometimes during rehearsals it feels like there’s three people in the room. And I do feel like Dad is still with me, every day.”
Hough surprised his dance partner after the performance by flashing a picture of Bindi and Steve up on a screen. Surprised, Bindi burst into tears. (She certainly wasn’t the only one.) The routine scored three perfect 10s.
Even if you don’t take home the DWTS crown, Bindi, you’ve won our hearts.