Robert Irwin, Derek Hough, Jordan Chiles, more from ‘Dancing with the Stars’ celebrate successes

HOLLYWOOD — “Dancing with the Stars” is one of the most successful unscripted shows on television these days. The season 34 finale, where Robert Irwin was crowned champion, was the most-watched in nearly a decade. The series has won some technical Emmys in the past, but the show itself has never won that golden statue.

On Sunday, pros and stars from this past season gathered at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood to show an audience of Television Academy members and voters just why they deserve a shot.

“This show takes a giant village to put together, from the crew to the grips and everything in between. So I’m just passionate about those folks, the people I show up to work with every day for 20 seasons now,” pro Val Chmerkovskiy told On The Red Carpet. “I want the recognition, not for myself obviously, but for a project that doesn’t just bring joy to the ones that work on it, but also to so many millions of people at home.”

“This show means everything to me and the pros specifically. It’s our art form, it’s our love, it’s our passion,” said pro Witney Carson. “It’s been a dream of mine to be on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and to be here now it feels full circle. And I feel so honored to keep dancing and keep doing what I love on a show that represents so much joy and love and positivity.”

During this “For Your Consideration” event, the The “Dancing with the Stars” pros showed off their dance moves and took part in a Q&A session moderated by former “DWTS” contestant Ariana Madix.

“With this incredible choreography, incredible storytelling, we could do something that was beyond the ballroom,” Robert Irwin told the audience. “‘Dancing with the Stars’ is about so much more than just dance. It’s about reaching through to all of you, creating something that resonates with you.”

“I have heard from so many celebrities that have been on this show, many of them in better shape than me, that they went through that exact same thing, that this is really a transformative experience,” fan favorite Andy Richter told the audience. “(It) cracks your heart open and gives you a sense of optimism.”

Jordan Chiles, who was paired with Ezra Sosa for season 34, said the experience helped her learn more about herself.

“I think I realized being on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ that it’s OK to show your expression in different ways and that’s how it was for me,” she explained to the audience. “I had somebody like Ezra who was there with me to guide me through each and every rehearsal and allow me to go through my emotions.”

“This show is one of one. It’s one of one. There will never be another show like it ever again,” pro-turned-judge Derek Hough said. “To see it sort of evolve, to see the popularity and love of the show continue to grow, it’s lightning in a bottle.”

Host Alfonso Ribeiro credits social media for the show’s resurgence and popularity.

“When I was a much younger man we used to talk about having, you know, the water cooler moments. And today we’re having that again except it’s on social media, not at the actual water cooler in offices and it feels incredible,” he said. “We’re really kinda at the forefront of being one of the shows on television that its social presence is really bigger than any show on television while simultaneously being the #1 unscripted shows on television.”

The franchise continues to expand. At the Hulu Get Real House, it announced a new show, “Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.” It’ll be hosted by current champ Robert Irwin and you can read more about it HERE.

And fans will get a chance to get up close in personal with their favorites from the franchise at “Dancing with the Stars” Con. The first-of-its-kind event will take place July 31-August 2 in Palm Springs, CA. Find more details about the event HERE.

Season 35 of “Dancing with the Stars” will premiere later this year on ABC. You can watch the most recent season on Disney+.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of this ABC station.