There wasn’t a dry eye in the ballroom when Season 21 contestant Bindi Irwin took the dance floor during Week 4 of ABC's “Dancing With the Stars” to perform a routine commemorating the years she spent with her father, the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin. Bindi’s performance, to the song “Every Breath You Take,” honored the life of her dad, who died in September 2006 after an encounter with a stingray.

“What shaped me the most would be when my dad passed away,” Bindi said. “I think that I’m kind of ready to tell that story.” Bindi revealed that when she was little she wanted to grow up to be just like her father. “And I still feel like that,” the animal-lover admitted.

Bindi’s rehearsal footage also included a confessional from her mother, Terri Irwin, who explained that the death of her husband was “kind of unreal” for Bindi, who was just 8 years old at the time. “Bindi was so strong. But when you love someone so much, it’s like totally losing a piece of your heart,” Terri said.

Fans could see the pain in Bindi’s eyes as the animal activist revealed during her emotional "DWTS" performance that she still feels as though her father will one day come back home.

Audience members' eyes began to flood with tears when Bindi and her partner Derek Hough took the dance floor to perform their contemporary routine. After the raw performance concluded, Bindi buried her face into her partner’s chest as the “DWTS” judges gave their critiques.

“I probably am not the only one here -- That took my breath away,” judge Julianne Hough gushed. “That was a tribute to your father and I know you should be very proud, but he is very proud.”

Carrie Ann Inaba chimed in, revealing that she felt it was an “honor to see such a bright light dance with beauty and passion.”

Bindi and Derek then received 28 out of a possible 30 points for their Week 4 routine, earning the fan favorite duo the highest score of Week 4.

"Dancing With the Stars" airs Monday nights at 8 p.m EDT on ABC.

RELATED STORIES