Bindi Irwin has won the US version of Dancing with the Stars. The Australian teenager and her dance partner Derek Hough were crowned champions of the top rating television show on Tuesday night (US).
Irwin and Hough went into the DWTS finale as firm favourites after receiving several perfect scores from the judges throughout the 2015 series.
In the end, it was the fans who got the pair over the line after their hot-to-trot Quickstep routine and a steamy modern Cha-cha Tango (video: below).
Both they and former Backstreet Boy Nick Carter with his partner received perfect scores in their last dances. The addition of the audience vote made Bindi and Derek queen and king of the dancefloor, earning them the Mirror Ball trophy.
“I’ve never seen anybody quite like you,” Hough told his 17-year-old dance partner who has become America’s new sweetheart.
“She looks at the challenge in the face and smiles at it,” he said of her determined and energetic performances throughout the series, including a tribute dance to her deceased father, Steve Irwin, which brought judges to tears.
“Thank you so much for everything, I can’t believe that I’m here and just thank you for changing my life,” an ecstatic Irwin Tweeted after the win.
I am speechless. I can’t tell you how much love I have for all of your support throughout this beautiful journey. pic.twitter.com/05lif561bA
— Bindi Irwin (@BindiIrwin) November 25, 2015
Her mother Terri and brother Robert were in the audience and celebrated the win with her.
Woo-hoo! Who else is on #TeamCrikey & ready to celebrate @BindiIrwin & @derekhough’s win!? @TerriIrwin & Robert are! pic.twitter.com/AZixszg9ug — Australia Zoo (@AustraliaZoo) November 25, 2015