Robert Irwin has received a truly magical surprise from Wicked star Jonathan Bailey following his jazz routine on Dancing With The Stars.
The 21-year-old wildlife conservationist, who has been impressing both judges and fans alike during the current season of the hit dance competition, shared the wholesome moment in an Instagram video posted after “Wicked Night” on 21 October.
In the clip, Irwin’s dance partner Witney Carson walks into the rehearsal studio holding a large bouquet of flowers, leaving Irwin visibly stunned.
“These are beautiful! Who are these from? Oh my goodness, they’re gorgeous,” he exclaims.
Carson cheekily asks, “Do you have a secret admirer that I don’t know about?”
A shocked Irwin squeals: “It’s from Jonathan Bailey!”
Jonathan Bailey Sends Love from Oz
The flowers were sent following Irwin and Carson’s high-energy jazz routine to “Dancing Through Life”, performed by Bailey’s character Fiyero in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Reading the card aloud, Irwin beams:
“You are the Shiz, Robert. You’ve done all the Fiyeros proud. Cheering you on from afar. Big love, JB.”
The wildlife presenter was clearly touched, adding:
“What! This has made my day. Thank you so much, Jonathan.”
Broadway Meets Ballroom
Irwin’s Wicked-inspired performance earned him one of the highest scores of the night — 36 out of 40 — and the moment between him and Bailey has delighted fans online.
The official Wicked Instagram account chimed in, calling it “the crossover we all needed”, while director Jon M. Chu left a heart emoji in support. One fan summed up the mood perfectly:
“I too would react like this if Jonathan Bailey sent me flowers.”
A Proud Ally in the Spotlight
Irwin has become a firm favourite among LGBTQ+ viewers. In 2020, he publicly called himself a “proud ally” on Coming Out Day, sharing a rainbow graphic in support of the community.
Earlier this month, a fake AI-generated post falsely claimed Irwin had refused to wear an LGBTQ+ pin — a claim that was swiftly debunked by AAP FactCheck.
During TikTok Night, Irwin’s shirt-ripping, ab-flashing performance to Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” also set social media alight, cementing his status as one of the most-watched contestants this season.
Next Stop: Halloween Night
Irwin and Carson are set to return to the ballroom on 28 October for Halloween Night, performing to “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Hampton String Quartet — a hauntingly elegant cover of the Eurythmics classic.
Whether he’s dazzling with choreography or winning hearts with his genuine charm, Robert Irwin continues to prove he’s the real deal — on and off the dance floor.
