Bindi Irwin and her partner Derek Hough have won the mirror ball in the US version of Dancing with the Stars.
Upon hearing the news, her ecstatic mother Terri and brother Bob jumped up and down in shock from the crowd while an emotional Bindi looked overjoyed as she hugged Derek.
“‘Thank you so much for everything. I can’t believe I’m here. Thank you for changing my life,” she cried.
The pair were then lifted onto the shoulders of the cast and crew as a sea of confetti cascaded onto them and they triumphantly cradled the coveted mirror ball.
She did it! She dazzled from the very first episode and now Bindi is officially the winner of DWTS.
After receiving perfect scores for both their dances last night and again tonight, the pair beat former Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, who came second, and French train hero Alek Skarlatos, who came third, to win the 2015 title.
The wildlife warrior has performed consistently well through out the season with a string of perfect scores.
“I have dedicated this entire journey to all of you and my beautiful family. My mum, my brother and my dad,” Bindi wrote on her Instagram about the incredible accolade.
Proud cheer squad! Mum Terri and little brother Bob couldn’t contain their excitement.
After performing the Viennese waltz again, that dance where Bindi was blindfolded, the crowd roared with applause, further concreting why the 17-year-old deserved to take home the mirror ball!
It was far from an easy journey though with injuries and serious pressure, “it’s a lot of pressure, and I have so many dances to learn and there’s like this pain that rises up into my chest and I’m just like really, really worried, she revealed in week eight.
Moments before the big reveal, Bindi and Derek were composed and focused.
But first and foremost, the whole “life-changing” experience was about honouring her beloved dad.
“It’s been nine years and I’ve never really dwelled on that point when he passed away so I think that I’m ready to tell that story,” the stunning Queensland local, who is dating Chandler Powell, explained.
To relive Bindi’s inspirational DWTS journey, click here
Bindi has wowed throughout the season and has paid touching tributes to her late dad Steve.
