Originally appeared on E! Online
Robert Irwin is dancing through the pain.
Ahead of the “Dancing With the Stars” finale, which will see Irwin compete against fellow stars Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles and Elaine Hendrix for the coveted Mirrorball trophy, Irwin’s pro partner Witney Carson admitted the duo is worse for wear.
“We’re kind of falling apart right now,” Carson shared in a TikTok video on Monday. “My body is feeling it right now, Robert’s body is feeling it right now.”
And while Carson, 32, and Irwin, 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,” Carson 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.”
READ: Russell Crowe Shares What Late Pal Steve Irwin Would Think of Robert Irwin on DWTS
However, their exhaustion has not put a stop to Irwin and Carson’s rigorous rehearsal.
“Last night we stayed until the studio closed down,” Carson noted. “They had to kick us out at 9 p.m.”
Indeed, Carson assured that Irwin’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, Irwin reflected on the duo’s very last rehearsal ahead of Tuesday’s finale.
“I’m gonna miss this,” Irwin wrote in an Instagram post, alongside a video of he and Carson 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, Irwin isn’t the only person in the ballroom who is testing his limits. Earle, 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,” Earle shared in a Sept. 21 TikTok. “My toenail came off during practice today.”
The wildlife conservationist and his “Dancing with the Stars” pro partner Witney Carson join Access Daily’s Mario Lopez and Kit Hoover to share insight on their intense rehearsals and even show off a few moves.
