'Dancing with the Stars' Season 21 News: Mirrorball Trophy Winner Announced

Bindi Irwin won Season 21 of "Dancing with the Stars" and took home the coveted mirrorball trophy.

The 17-year-old Australian actress, who was the favorite of fans and judges throughout most of this season, stunned with her dazzling dance performances, according to the Daily Mail.

After she performed several dance routines with her ballroom dance partner Derek Hough during Tuesday's two-hour finale, she was eventually crowned the champion. Among her many routines, in one freestyle performance she paid tribute to her late father Steve.

Steve Irwin was known for starring on his wildlife show "The Crocodile Hunter," which aired from 1997 to 2004. He died at the age of 44, after being struck in the heart by a stingray barb in Queensland, Australia in 2006.

After receiving the mirrorball trophy, Irwin excitedly said, "Thank you so much for everything. I can't believe I'm here. Thank you for changing my life."

Hough, who has won the competition six times, also added, "Awesome! Heavy, isn't it?" referring to the trophy.

Irwin and Hough beat out runners-up Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess and third-placers Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold.

"I never knew I would learn so much about rhinestones and glitter and high heels," Irwin joked, before getting her game face on. "The most special part of this experience is to really be able to grow and touch on parts of my life that I never thought I would really go to and be able to share my journey and story with so many others."

"Dancing with the Stars" aired its first season in 2005. Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews returned as hosts for Season 21 with Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough and Bruno Tonioli serving on the judging panel.

The next season of "Dancing with the Stars" is slated for March 21.