Robert Irwin is dancing through the pain.
Ahead of the Dancing With the Stars finale, which will see Robert compete against fellow stars Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles and Elaine Hendrix for the coveted Mirrorball trophy, Robert’s pro partner Witney Carson admitted the duo is worse for wear.
“We’re kind of falling apart right now,” Witney shared in a Nov. 24 TikTok video. “My body is feeling it right now, Robert’s body is feeling it right now.”
And while Witney, 32, and Robert, 21, certainly will not be evacuating the dance floor, the professional admitted that “Robert’s ribs have been killing him,” alluding that the undisclosed injury has impeded their final week of rehearsals.
“More will be revealed on Tuesday and you guys can get a better idea of what we’ve been dealing with all week,” Witney explained. “I do have to change some things that involve other dancers and involve the other guys, so it’s just honestly been the most stressful part.”
However, their exhaustion has not put a stop to Robert and Witney’s rigorous rehearsal.
“Last night we stayed until the studio closed down,” Witney noted. “They had to kick us out at 9 p.m.”
Indeed, Witney assured that Robert’s injury has not kept him from putting in the work. As she put it, “We’re gonna have absolutely no regrets by the end of this.”
Later that same day, Robert reflected on the duo’s very last rehearsal ahead of the Nov. 25 finale.
“I’m gonna miss this,” Robert wrote in an Instagram post, alongside a video of he and Witney sharing an embrace in the dance studio. “Thanks for the best memories, Witney. I will cherish this experience forever. One last night to dance—see you tomorrow, America."
Of course, Robert isn’t the only person in the ballroom who is testing his limits. Alix, for her part, has also shared an unfiltered look at what she’s put her body through during the competition.
“I have bruises on my collarbones," Alix shared in a Sept. 21 TikTok. “My toenail came off during practice today."
For everyone who has left it all on the dance floor this season, keep reading…
Baron Davis
Partnered with Britt Stewart
Jennifer Affleck
Partnered with Jan Ravnik
Alix Earle
Partnered with Valentin Chmerkovski
Dylan Efron
Partnered with Daniella Karagach
Corey Feldman
Partnered with Jenna Johnson
Elaine Hendrix
Partnered with Alan Bersten
Robert Irwin
Partnered with Witney Carson
Jordan Chiles
Partnered with Ezra Sosa
Scott Hoying
Partnered with Rylee Arnold
Whitney Leavitt
Partnered with Mark Ballas
Hilaria Baldwin
Partnered with Gleb Savchenko
Andy Richter
Partnered with Emma Slater
Danielle Fishel
Partnered with Pasha Pashkov