The finale of *Dancing With the Stars* Season 34 turned dramatic when judge Carrie Ann Inaba faced boos from the audience after critiquing frontrunner Robert Irwin during his performance. The enthusiastic crowd had high expectations as Irwin and his professional partner Witney Carson opened the show with a lively quickstep to Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl,” earning raucous cheers for their crisp choreography.
Inaba began her commentary positively, describing the routine as “amazing” and “wonderful.” However, her subsequent critique did not sit well with the audience. As she remarked, “There was a bit of a…” the crowd erupted in loud boos, expressing their discontent with her feedback. In an attempt to regain the audience’s favor, Inaba nervously laughed and clarified her intentions.
“I don’t want to give it to anybody who doesn’t absolutely deserve it,” she stated, reinforcing her commitment to honesty in her judging. Despite her critique, Inaba emphasized that it did not detract from Irwin and Carson’s status as strong contenders. “You know I love you!” she added, trying to soften the moment.
The uproar became so pronounced that host Alfonso Ribeiro had to shift the focus to the skybox, where Irwin and Carson could discuss their performance with Julianne Hough. Unfortunately, the rest of Inaba’s comments never reached the couple. Ultimately, Irwin and Carson scored a near-perfect 29 for their performance, with Inaba’s score of 9 being the only one that fell short.
Reflecting on his journey, Irwin expressed gratitude toward Carson for her support and belief in his abilities. He also shared emotional sentiments about his family, highlighting his mother and sister as “the most important” and strongest influences in his life.
As the finale unfolded, the mix of applause and boos illustrated the passion and investment of fans in the competition. With emotions running high, the episode captured the essence of *Dancing With the Stars*—a blend of talent, tension, and the pursuit of excellence.
