Jonathan Bailey, the acclaimed actor known for his role as Fiyero in Wicked: For Good, recently surprised Dancing with the Stars contestant Robert Irwin with a heartfelt message of encouragement ahead of the show’s highly anticipated finale. PEOPLE’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive took time to cheer on Irwin, highlighting the special connection between the actor and the wildlife conservationist-turned-dancer.
Jonathan Bailey Sends Encouragement to Robert Irwin
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the New York premiere of Wicked: For Good, 37-year-old Jonathan Bailey expressed his admiration for the 21-year-old Robert Irwin, saying:
“Robert Irwin, you’re an icon,” a statement that clearly left the young dancer thrilled.
This supportive message came after Irwin showcased his dancing skills during the “Wicked Night” episode of DWTS, where he and professional partner Witney Carson performed a playful rendition of Bailey’s Fiyero song, “Dancing Through Life.” Their performance earned them an impressive 36/40 cumulative score, solidifying their place as strong contenders for the Mirrorball Trophy.
From Fiyero to Fiyero: A Special Connection
The interaction between Bailey and Irwin is not just a casual celebrity shout-out. Bailey explained that Norbert Leo Butz, the original Broadway Fiyero, had welcomed him with a humorous message when he starred in the film adaptation.
“Welcome to the brotherhood of the tighty-whitie pants of Fiyero,” Bailey recalled Butz saying.
By sending his encouragement to Irwin, Bailey added him to this unique lineage of actors who have played the charismatic, fun-loving character Fiyero, a role previously brought to life by Tony Award-winning Aaron Tveit, Taye Diggs, and Adam Lambert.
“I just think you’ve got all the Fiyeros proud,” Bailey said. “I’m cheering you on for the finals.”
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson’s Reaction
The DWTS duo, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, were overjoyed by Bailey’s message. In an interview with ET, Carson exclaimed:
“He knows you?”
Irwin, clearly touched, added:
“That is incredible. That just means absolutely everything. I mean, what an incredible guy.”
Carson also noted that Bailey sent flowers after their “Wicked Night” performance, adding a personal touch that made the night even more memorable.
“It was such an honor to play Fiyero for the night,” Irwin shared. “I love what that film represents, I love what his character represents, and I love the joy and fun of it all. Jonathan Bailey is just crushing it; he’s such a light.”
Celebrity Support: More Than Just Jonathan Bailey
Jonathan Bailey is not the first high-profile figure to offer encouragement to Robert Irwin during his DWTS journey. Prince William previously called Irwin to playfully tease him about missing the Earthshot Prize ceremony in Brazil, showing that Irwin has captured hearts on and off the dance floor.
DWTS 2025 Finale: Who’s Competing?
The three-hour finale, airing Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 8 p.m. EST/PST on ABC, will see Robert Irwin and Witney Carson competing against four other finalist pairs for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy:
- Alix Earle with Valentin Chmerkovskiy
- Jordan Chiles, Olympic gold medalist, with Ezra Sosa
- Dylan Efron, TV personality, with Daniella Karagach
- Elaine Hendrix, actress, with Alan Bersten
Irwin expressed his deeper motivation for competing:
“We want to represent something that’s bigger than this ballroom and bigger than ourselves.”
Carson, acting as the “protective older sister,” emphasized Irwin’s worthiness to win:
“Through and through, he is just a good, good human, and that’s who we need to win.”
Conclusion: A Night to Remember
As the finale approaches, fans can expect a thrilling performance from Robert Irwin, fueled by encouragement from his DWTS partner, fellow celebrities, and now Jonathan Bailey. The story highlights not only Irwin’s impressive dancing skills but also the heartwarming connections that DWTS fosters between stars and contestants.
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