The pressure is mounting for the finalists of ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ but for one pair, the journey to the finale has become a painful race against time. Professional dancer Witney Carson has revealed that her celebrity partner, Robert Irwin, is battling a significant rib injury just one day before the season 34 finale. In a candid social media update, Carson shared the stressful reality of their final rehearsals, explaining that the injury has been severe enough to force last-minute changes to their highly anticipated freestyle routine.
Carson did not specify how the injury occurred but confessed that Irwin’s ribs have been “killing him” during camera blocking, a crucial technical rehearsal before the live show. Despite the physical agony, she praised the 21-year-old conservationist’s unwavering dedication, noting that they rehearsaled until the studio closed the night before. The injury adds a dramatic layer of challenge for the duo, who have been fan favorites throughout the season thanks to their infectious positivity and remarkable progress.
This season has seen its share of physical setbacks, with contestant Elaine Hendrix also suffering a rib-related issue that sent her to the hospital last month. Carson, however, remains focused on the positive, calling the entire experience with Irwin a “gift” and expressing how he rekindled her own spark in the ballroom. As they prepare for one last night of dancing, the pair is leaning on their strong partnership and the support of fans to push through the pain in their quest for the mirrorball trophy.
