Bindi Irwin was declared by ABC's celebrity dancing competition "Dancing with the Stars" as the Season 21 winner, together with her dancing partner, Derek Hough.
Irwin and Hough defeated runner-up Nick Carter and partner Sharna Burgess, and third-placer Alek Skarlatos and partner Lindsay Arnold. Accoring to ABC, this is Hough's 6th win on the show. Irwin, aged 17, quickly became a fan favorite since the season premiered last September. She and Hough consistently received high scores, eventually winning the mirror ball trophy.
"Thank you so much for everything,” Irwin said. “I can’t believe that I’m here. Just, thank you for changing my life,” said Irwin. She then posted a winning picture of her on Instagram and said, "I am speechless. This is a gift and I can't tell you how much love I have for all of your support throughout this beautiful journey. My life has been changed."
Bindi Irwin is the daughter of the Australian wildlife and crocodile expert, Steve Irwin. Back in 2006, Steve Irwin was pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming an underwater documentary. Bindi was just eight years old when her father passed away in the tragic accident.
Bindi shared a photo in her social media accounts which seems to be the last photo taken with her father. Bindi wrote, "The last photo ever taken of us as a family. The day before I had to wave goodbye to my hero, without knowing it would be the last time. But Dad, I know you walk beside me always and your strength lives within me. I love you." The family photo contained Bindi, her father Steve, her mother Terri, and her little brother Robert.
In their last performance in "Dancing with the Stars," a photo of Bindi and her father was shown while they were dancing, which moved the audience and the judges to tears. After the dance, Bindi then burst into tears and hugged her dance partner, Hough.
