Dylan Efron\u2019s latest Dancing with the Stars moment turned into a family affair – but it almost didn\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n
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The Traitors alum revealed that his touching Dedication Night performance with his little sister Olivia nearly didn\u2019t make it to the stage after she initially said \u201cno way\u201d to joining him.<\/p>\n
Speaking to PEOPLE after the performance on Wednesday, October 15, Dylan shared that dancing alongside 5-year-old Olivia was \u201ceverything\u201d to him, especially since it was a nod to their brother, actor Zac Efron. The siblings performed to \u201cRewrite the Stars\u201d from The Greatest Showman, famously sung by Zac and Zendaya in the film.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I first asked her if she would do this with me, she buried her head in my chest and was like, \u2018No, there\u2019s no way,\u2019\u201d Dylan, 33, recalled. \u201cAnd then she came to the first week and told me after, she\u2019s like, \u2018I\u2019m thinking about it.\u2019 Week two, she said she\u2019ll do it and that she\u2019s not afraid of anything. And then she showed up and actually didn\u2019t get afraid of anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
His professional dance partner, Daniella Karagach, praised Olivia\u2019s confidence, adding, \u201cShe was ready in her dress with a pointed toe. There you go.\u201d<\/p>\n
The contemporary routine was a heartfelt dedication to Zac Efron, 37, and earned glowing reviews from both the judges and audience. Carrie Ann Inaba called Olivia \u201cincredible\u201d and said Dylan \u201cmade her night,\u201d while Bruno Tonioli praised Olivia for her \u201cperfectly pointed toes.\u201d The trio scored an impressive 36 out of 40 for their emotional performance.<\/p>\n
Among those cheering Dylan on was The Traitors costar \u201cBoston\u201d Rob Mariano, who was there to offer encouragement. \u201cIt just goes to show that this show is about more than just dancing,\u201d Rob said. \u201cAnd I think both Dylan and Daniella showed that tonight – and Olivia, too. It\u2019s cool to be here and be a small part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Dylan, the experience offered a deeper lesson. \u201cShe\u2019s always shown me love,\u201d he told PEOPLE. \u201cShe\u2019s always been well-spoken for her age, too. But I think when she pours her love into me, it\u2019s like – how can I not reciprocate it?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dylan and Zac are the sons of Starla Baskett and David Efron. After their parents\u2019 2016 divorce, their father remarried and welcomed Olivia, now 5, and Henry, 4, making Dylan a proud big brother.<\/p>\n
Dedication Night was full of touching tributes. Another standout came from wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, who honored his mother, Terri Irwin, with a moving dance to Phil Collins\u2019 \u201cYou\u2019ll Be in My Heart.\u201d Judges were visibly emotional, with Tonioli tearing up as he told Robert, \u201c[Your father] is looking at you, kid, and he\u2019s smiling. You gave us all of your heart and soul.\u201d<\/p>\n
Robert later reflected on his mother\u2019s strength following the death of his father, Steve Irwin, in 2006. \u201cA credit to my mum – I never felt like I missed out on anything in life,\u201d he said. \u201cAs I got older and gained perspective, I realized how much she did to make my childhood so full.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Olivia conquering her stage fright and dancing beside her big brother, the Efron family moment became one of Dancing with the Stars\u2019 most heartwarming highlights of the season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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