Despite battling family illness, including a “bug” and a “little cold” affecting herself, husband Chandler Powell, and daughter Grace Warrior, Bindi Irwin has remained a fierce supporter of her brother Robert Irwin on Dancing with the Stars. Her absences from the ballroom, stemming from two separate weeks in October 2025, highlight the Irwin family’s unwavering bond and commitment, even prompting a temporary relocation to Los Angeles to cheer Robert on.
The Dancing with the Stars ballroom may have felt a little emptier on two separate occasions in October 2025, as beloved conservationist Bindi Irwin was noticeably absent from the audience cheering on her brother, Robert Irwin. However, Bindi quickly took to social media to assure fans that despite illness affecting her family, their support for Robert remained as strong as ever, albeit from the comfort of their living room.
The First Absence: Grace Battles a Cold
The first instance occurred around Tuesday, October 22, 2025, when Bindi shared with her followers that her 4-year-old daughter, Grace Warrior, was feeling unwell with a “little cold.” This meant Bindi and Grace had to skip the highly anticipated Wicked-themed episode of the show.
“We absolutely adore being in the audience to celebrate uncle Robert on @dancingwiththestars,” Bindi wrote on Instagram. “This week, Grace has a little cold so we’re going to cheer from our living room. 🩵.” The post, which featured a heartwarming throwback photo of Bindi and Grace in the ballroom audience, quickly garnered supportive messages, including one from Bindi’s mother, Terri Irwin, who sweetly commented, “Sending healing hugs! 💕” People.com reported on Bindi’s initial announcement.
During this “Wicked Night,” Robert Irwin and his professional partner Witney Carson delivered an impressive jazz routine to “Dancing Through Life,” earning four nines from the judges – their highest scores of the season at that point.
The Second Absence: A Family-Wide Bug and Lost Voice
Just a week later, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Bindi provided another update, revealing that a more widespread illness had struck her household. “Chandler, Grace and I all got a bug and I’ve completely lost my voice now…so we will be cheering (quietly) from our living room for Robert and Witney on @dancingwiththestars,” Bindi shared on her Instagram account. Her announcement was detailed by Parade.
The family’s second absence meant they would miss Halloween Night, where Robert and Witney performed an Argentine tango to “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This.” Despite her own illness, Bindi’s dedication to her brother was evident in her passionate call for fan support.
She urged viewers to vote for Robert, sharing the details: “Text ROBERT to 21523 or abc.com. Voting BEGINS: 8pm ET / 7p CT / 5p PT – Don’t forget voting starts early at 5pm for everyone on the west coast! ✨.”
A Legacy of Support: Bindi’s Own DWTS Journey
Bindi’s profound understanding of the Dancing with the Stars journey comes from her own experience as a former champion. She famously competed on Season 21 of the series alongside professional dancer Derek Hough, ultimately taking home the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. This personal triumph instilled in her a deep appreciation for the hard work, dedication, and immense pressure involved in the competition.
Her past success makes her virtual cheering no less impactful, as she knows firsthand the importance of every vote and every moment of encouragement.
The Ultimate Sacrifice: Relocating for Robert
The Irwin family’s commitment to Robert’s DWTS journey goes far beyond missed tapings and social media posts. Bindi revealed that the entire family made a significant life change to be physically present for Robert throughout the competition. “It is just awesome. We decided as a family to move here for the three months that he was on the show, and it was a tricky decision,” Bindi shared on the Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast on October 16, 2025. This quote was reported by Entertainment Tonight.
Their primary life revolves around their vital conservation work at the Australia Zoo. However, Bindi emphasized that family support takes precedence. “We live at Australia Zoo and our whole world revolves around our conservation work but more than anything else, it’s about being together as a family and supporting each other,” she explained. “And I know from my season, my family was there every step of the way for me, and I wanted to be able to do the same for Robert.” This monumental decision underscores the profound bond within the Irwin family.
The Fan Community’s Heartfelt Response
The news of Bindi and her family’s illness prompted an outpouring of love and well-wishes from their dedicated fan base. Comments across social media platforms highlighted the collective sentiment:
- “Feel better, we’ll miss you guys! 💛💛.”
- “Bless your hearts! I really hate to hear that you’re all sick! Hope all of you are better fast… The ballroom isn’t quite as joyful without all of you there, but Robert is doing a fantastic job! Sending love and hugs to all of you and praying that you’re back on your feet, soon!♥️.”
- “So sorry. Get well soon guys! ❤️ Robert has my votes don’t worry. 😉.”
- “I’m sending healing vibes. Love you all. ❤️❤️❤️.”
- “Oh no! Praying you guys all recover quickly. Rest well! And everyone remember to vote for Robert!!!”
These messages underscore the deep connection fans feel to the Irwin family and their appreciation for the family’s unwavering support for one another.
The Enduring Strength of #TeamIrwin
While the physical presence of Bindi, Chandler, and Grace in the Dancing with the Stars audience was missed during these two weeks in October 2025, their spirit of support shone brightly. The episodes served as a powerful reminder of the deep bonds that tie the Irwin family together and their collective dedication to Robert’s success. From medical challenges to cross-continental moves, the Irwin family continues to exemplify loyalty, love, and the strength of #TeamIrwin, proving that sometimes, the loudest cheers come from the quietest living rooms.
