Bindi Irwin has dedicated this entire season of "Dancing With The Stars" to her late father Steve Irwin, and after several beautiful performances, she saved the most moving for the finale. On Monday night's episode, Irwin gave it her all on the dance floor as she remembered her father with a touching tribute to Leona Lewis' "Footprints In The Sand," and she left the entire audience in tears.
As if the dance itself wasn't moving enough, and quite possibly her best dance of the season, it was the final moment when a photo of Bindi and her father flashed on the screen as she and her partner Derek Hough walked side-by-side across the dance floor. The judges could barely tell Bindi how amazing of a job she did as they tried to congratulate her through tears, and their words left her speechless.
"That was brilliant and that was a dancer's freestyle, not just an ordinary star, cause you are far from ordinary," judge Carrie Ann Inaba told Bindi. "And I want to start off by saying thank you to your mom and dad for creating you because this has been such a joy for me to watch, to experience you every week...You do each moment to its fullest potential, you do each dance to its fullest potential and I am grateful for you."
"First of all, this has been probably the best finale I think we've ever had and everybody is like on top of their game tonight," judge Julianne Hough tried to say through tears. "But, I think the difference is, with you Bindi, you are so special that you have taken each and every one of us on the journey with you. We're not just watching you, we're with you. And you've completely left an imprint on each and every one of us and on all of our hearts. You'll always be with us and I hope we'll always be with you. It was beautiful, it was extraordinary."
"My darling, what you did, you showed us the power of dance at its most pure and affective form," judge Bruno Tonioli said. "You danced from the heart, and you touched everybody's soul. Not just here, but I think all over America. And that is a great achievement."
While waiting to receive their perfect score, Bindi revealed that she had no idea the photo of herself and her father was going to be there on the screen, and host Erin Andrews told her that it was all Derek's idea.
"For me, this whole experience has meant the world," a tearful Bindi said. "It has changed my life."
Following part one of the finale, Bindi took to Instagram to not only look back on this incredible journey, but to share with the world the last moment she had with her father before he passed.
"The last photo ever taken of us as a family," she captioned the adorable shot. "The day before I had to wave goodbye to my hero, without knowing it would be the last time. But Dad, I know you walk beside me always and your strength lives within me. I love you."
"I can't believe that I have been blessed enough to make it to the finals of 'Dancing With The Stars,'" she captioned a stunning black and white image of her and Derek dancing prior to the show. "Living here in LA for the last 3 months, dancing every day, has been such an experience. Tonight will be extraordinary night, I would like to thank you all for your amazing support and love. I have dedicated this entire journey to all of you and my beautiful family. My mum, my brother and my dad. Thank you @derekhough for everything you have created over these last few months and for helping me share so much of my life. So to everyone out there, thank you for your kindness, voting for us and keeping us here."
Before last night's finale, Derek took to his blog on TV Guide to explain what this dance was going to be all about.
"Bindi keeps calling this season a gift. She's so grateful for the experience and wants to treasure it," he wrote. "We listened to some music and we came across this one song that embodies everything. It's the right sentiment and the right note. This whole season has been a love letter to her dad. It honored her dad, her family, her loved ones and it also showed her growth from this little girl e all saw years ago into this wonderful, beautiful woman. Bindi really wants to be a force for good and she is. Our freestyle really embodies love and there are thing in the routine that are not effects, but are nice looks and lighting and things of that nature that makes it feel very raw and authentic. When I look at Bindi, I see someone who's extremely raw and authentic. I feel like the dance needed to match her."
This season has meant more to him than anything as Bindi has been such a positive light of energy. "I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility because I'm such a fan of her dad," he continued to write. "He did everything with passion and joy, so to have his daughter put in the care of you for three months, I took it quite seriously. I can't speak on her behalf, but for me, I certainly felt this extra sense of energy in the room, that third person. So I just want to finish it with that same energy."
And Bindi definitely felt that energy, too. "Sometimes uring rehearsals it feels like there's three people in the room," she told the judges following her routine. "Derek put that into this freestyle."
Tune in to the "Dancing With The Stars" finale tonight on ABC at 9/8c to see if Bindi and Derek take home the Mirrorball Trophy!
