A Look At DWTS Star Derek Hough’s Sweet Friendship With Steve Irwin’s Daughter Bindi

Season 21 was jam-packed with memorable dance routines. Who could forget the fast and fiery dance put on by runner-up pair Shawna Burgess and musician Nick Carter? Seriously, it’s hard to tell who’s the professional dancer in this clip. However, it was Derek Hough and Bindi Irwin who managed to blow away the panel of judges week after week, leading to them claiming victory by the season’s end. The pair was unstoppable. From their classic “Dirty Dancing” routine to the tearjerking tribute dance to Steve Irwin, the pair only seemed to get better and better, and grow closer and closer, with every performance.

Hough agreed that there was something undeniably special about his partnership with Bindi. After they were crowned the winners of Season 21, the pro dancer shared a touching statement about his dance partner backstage. “It’s just so special with Bindi. She’s a champion of life,” he stated (via Glamour). Likewise, Bindi knew her partnership with Hough was destined to become a long friendship. The wildlife conservationist lauded her brotherly connection with Hough when asked about their partnership by reporters after the show.