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Why Bindi Irwin's "Profound" Surprise Dancing With the Stars Tribute to Steve Irwin Left Everybody in Tears

Erin Andrews and Carrie Ann Inaba open up about the emotional impact Bindi has had on the team

By Chris Harnick Nov 24, 2015 2:47 PMTags
Watch: "DWTS" Stars Cry Over Bindi Irwin's Tribute to Dad

Bindi Irwin began the Dancing With the Stars finale by scoring two perfect 30s and bringing everybody to tears. At the end of her freestyle with Derek Hough, an image of Bindi and her late father Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter star, appeared on stage. Bindi cried, Terri Irwin cried, Erin Andrews cried, Julianne Hough cried, Leah Remini cried, you cried.

"For me this whole experience has meant the world for my whole family and it's changed my life, this entire experience has changed my life," Bindi said through tears last night, before turning to hug Derek. "So thank you so much."

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba let the tears flow, albeit unexpectedly. "I didn't expect to cry, I have to say," she admitted. Carrie Ann as been with the show since its start, so you know she's telling the truth when she said "I've seen so many dances."

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"I didn't expect that number to come into my heart the way it did," she told us. "That ending with her father's image...that was not just the dance she accomplished, that was like the whole season of emotions wrapped into that dance. To have that moment was so profound to all of us."

Co-host Erin Andrews said she didn't bother trying to hold back the waterworks.

"I feel like all of us have grown up with her dad and you're not being yourself, you're not being true to yourself if you just don't get emotional and enjoy her and the ride she's been on and the love she has for her father," she told us. Click play on the video up top for more from Carrie Ann and Erin.

Dancing With the Stars' two-night finale concludes tonight at 9 p.m. on ABC.