Exclusive

Bindi Irwin on How Her Dancing With the Stars Win Honors Dad Steve Irwin's Legacy

Exclusive: Bindi and Derek reflect on their big triumph

By Chris Harnick Nov 25, 2015 1:50 PMTags
Watch: Bindi Irwin's Stunning Victory on "DWTS"

Bindi Irwin did her homework, according to Derek Hough, and Dancing With the Stars judges and viewers took notice. The "Wildlife Warrior" took home the Mirror Ball trophy for season 21 of Dancing With the Stars. She can thank all the work she did.

"I never met somebody who did their homework more than she did. She'd come in everyday prepared and ready to go and just gave me her absolute all, so much so that we literally don't have anything left. After this week, my poor baby is broken—she's bruised and broken," Derek told E! News after the big win. "She's incredible. It's been an amazing, amazing journey."

Bindi said there's just one way to describe the journey.

Adam Taylor/ABC via Getty Images

"The only way I'd ever be able to describe it is to say it has been a gift. And this gift has been amazing because I've been able to share it with so many others as well. It's been life-changing for me and I've had the support of my family and Derek and so many other people. I'm truly overwhelmed. I'm beyond grateful," Bindi told us.

Throughout her Dancing With the Stars journey, Bindi said her father's message has be at the forefront.

"For us, we really want to make sure that dad's legacy and message continues. He always used to say, 'I don't care if people remember me, but I care if people remember my message and what I stood for.' That's what we've dedicated our lives to doing and the three of us—dad first came up with the term 'Wildlife Warrior' and we are Wildlife Warriors. Derek has officially become a Wildlife Warrior now and we're taking on the planet, and just doing everything we can to make a difference."

After all the hard work, both Bindi and Derek are spent. But what about next season? We already know Len Goodman will return to the series…will Derek? Click play on the video at top to see what he had to say.

Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC.