Bindi Irwin dazzles the crowd with three impressive dances on "DWTS" semifinals
Bindi Irwin has come a long way since she started on "Dancing with the Stars."
On Monday's "DWTS" semifinals, we got a look at Bindi's personal journey in a touching pre-recorded package. Filled with footage from heartwarming home movies of Bindi and her late dad, Steve Irwin, hanging out with wild animals, and interviews with her family and close friends, the emotional segment showcased the 17-year-old nature conservationist's evolution during her time on the show.
Bindi and her mom, Terri Irwin, also opened up how they moved on after losing Steve.
"A couple weeks after he passed away I said to mom, 'When are we going to start filming again?'" Bindi recounted.
"And I thought that was so weird that she would want to start filming when we're right in the middle of all this turmoil," Terri said. "And then I realized that was Bindi's normal. What she always used to do with her dad was what she wanted to continue doing."
"I just always wanted to make sure that dad's legacy carried on," Bindi added.
Bindi is doing more than just carrying on the memory and message of her dad, she's also quickly figuring out who she is, and becoming a confident, self-possessed young woman. "It's very special to see her taking on this role in a way that her dad never would," Terri said.
"I feel like I've found so much of myself along this journey," Bindi said. "I'll always be dad's daughter, but to really touch on places in my heart that I haven't really gone to, ever, has been a great honor. Words can't describe how grateful I am to be here."
For her first dance of the night -- which was also the first dance of the semifinals, Bindi and her partner Derek Hough kicked things off with a high-tempo salsa set to Sia's "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile."
Bindi rocked a shimmering pink and silver jewel-encrusted gown while Derek showed off his abs in a bedazzled pink suit jacket, and they delivered a vibrant, life-affirming routine that ended in Bindi crowd-surfing like a champ.