Robert Irwin confirms DWTS Next Pro dance with Witney Carson
Robert Irwin has confirmed he will dance on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, reuniting with his Season 34 pro partner Witney Carson on the ABC spinoff that premieres July 13, 2026. The reigning Mirrorball winner hosts the series while 12 ballroom professionals compete for a coveted pro slot on the main Dancing With the Stars lineup this fall.
Key Takeaways
- Irwin told TV Insider he will perform on The Next Pro alongside Witney Carson in an exciting reunion.
- The spinoff premieres Monday, July 13, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with episodes on Hulu the next day.
- Twelve dancers compete before judges Mark and Shirley Ballas for a Season 35 pro contract.
- Irwin is also advising Season 35 celebrities, including Jackson Olson, to trust their pros and lean into the process.
Why Is Robert Irwin Dancing Again on The Next Pro?
Although Irwin is hosting rather than competing, he told TV Insider in an exclusive interview that fans will still see him on the ballroom floor. "I can confirm right here, right now. Yes, I will be dancing on The Next Pro," he said. "And not only that, we are going to see a very exciting reunion with me and Witney. We will be dancing, and it's going to be very, very exciting."
Irwin won Season 34 alongside Carson, becoming the youngest male champion in the show's history while setting vote records—even with a rib injury late in the season. He credited her as "the absolute greatest of all time pro," adding that he could not have survived week one without her coaching.
What Is Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?
The franchise's summer spinoff shifts the spotlight from celebrities to the professionals behind them. According to USA Today, 12 up-and-coming dancers move into one house and face a grueling audition process, all aiming to earn a pro role on Dancing With the Stars Season 35.
Three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley Ballas, judge the competition, with rotating DWTS veterans serving as mentors and guest judges. Irwin described hosting as a privilege, saying he now mentors "a new crop of people that want to join the world of Dancing With the Stars."
How Can You Watch The Next Pro Premiere?
The series premiere airs Monday, July 13, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. As USA Today reports, new episodes stream the following day on Hulu—handy if you miss the live broadcast on premiere night.
What Advice Is Irwin Giving Season 35 Stars?
Irwin's DWTS journey is also shaping how he guides the next celebrity cast. E! News reports that Savannah Bananas baseball star Jackson Olson reached out during his May casting announcement, asking, "Dude, Robert, what do I do?"
Irwin's reply: athletes already have the mindset—just "let go and give yourself to the process." He urges all Season 35 contestants to lean in hard, trust the process, and rely on their pro partners if they want the full, life-changing experience he had with Carson.
For more updates on ABC reality franchises and A-list TV moments, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage. Read the full confirmation in TV Insider's exclusive interview.