Professional dancer Witney Carson has revealed that her partner, Robert Irwin, is suffering from a rib injury just ahead of the Dancing With the Stars Season 34 finale. The news adds a layer of intensity to their final preparations for the competition.
Carson, 32, shared the update in a video, noting that Irwin’s "ribs are killing him." She indicated that more details would be disclosed during the finale on Tuesday, November 25, giving viewers insight into their challenges.
The injury has forced Carson to "change some things" in their freestyle routine to protect Irwin. She described the camera blocking and overall preparation as "stressful."
"This is putting everything together, and it’s going to take time," Carson said of the demanding process. "We’ll have to rehearse a lot and make sure everything is perfect for Tuesday."
The intense preparation has also taken an emotional toll on Carson, who admitted she "couldn’t stop crying" during rehearsals. She feels "emotionally and physically exhausted" from the grueling schedule.
Despite his pain, Irwin, 21, remains committed to giving his best performance. Carson reported that he wants to rehearse "until the last second," with the pair even staying in the studio until closing at 9 p.m. recently.
Carson expressed deep gratitude for her partner, calling the entire season "the biggest gift." She encouraged fans to vote during the finale.
Irwin echoed her sentiments in a message shared on Monday, November 24. He posted about leaving the rehearsal studio for the final time.
"I’m gonna miss this. Thanks for the best memories, Witney. I’ll cherish this experience forever," Irwin wrote. "One last night to dance – see you tomorrow, America❤️."
Irwin is not the only contestant to face rib issues this season. Last month, Elaine Hendrix was rushed to the hospital with a rib injury, forcing her to miss the Halloween Night show.
Her partner, Alan Bersten, explained on the October 28 episode that Hendrix was "paralyzed" and "couldn’t move or breathe" due to the intense pain. The couple advanced on fan votes despite not performing.
Hendrix and Bersten will compete against Carson and Irwin for the mirrorball trophy. Also in the finals are Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, and Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa.
Carson also paid tribute to Irwin in a Monday post, praising his impact on her. "This journey has transformed me in ways I didn’t even expect," she wrote.
She added that Irwin pushed her to be a better teacher, choreographer, and person. "You gave me back the spark that for a while was dim in the ballroom, and for that I’m eternally grateful," Carson said.
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes are available the following day on Hulu.