Dylan Efron’s latest Dancing with the Stars moment turned into a family affair – but it almost didn’t happen.
The Traitors alum revealed that his touching Dedication Night performance with his little sister Olivia nearly didn’t make it to the stage after she initially said “no way” to joining him.
Speaking to PEOPLE after the performance on Wednesday, October 15, Dylan shared that dancing alongside 5-year-old Olivia was “everything” to him, especially since it was a nod to their brother, actor Zac Efron. The siblings performed to “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman, famously sung by Zac and Zendaya in the film.
“When I first asked her if she would do this with me, she buried her head in my chest and was like, ‘No, there’s no way,’” Dylan, 33, recalled. “And then she came to the first week and told me after, she’s like, ‘I’m thinking about it.’ Week two, she said she’ll do it and that she’s not afraid of anything. And then she showed up and actually didn’t get afraid of anything.”
His professional dance partner, Daniella Karagach, praised Olivia’s confidence, adding, “She was ready in her dress with a pointed toe. There you go.”
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 “incredible” and said Dylan “made her night,” while Bruno Tonioli praised Olivia for her “perfectly pointed toes.” The trio scored an impressive 36 out of 40 for their emotional performance.
Among those cheering Dylan on was The Traitors costar “Boston” Rob Mariano, who was there to offer encouragement. “It just goes to show that this show is about more than just dancing,” Rob said. “And I think both Dylan and Daniella showed that tonight – and Olivia, too. It’s cool to be here and be a small part of it.”
For Dylan, the experience offered a deeper lesson. “She’s always shown me love,” he told PEOPLE. “She’s always been well-spoken for her age, too. But I think when she pours her love into me, it’s like – how can I not reciprocate it?”
Dylan and Zac are the sons of Starla Baskett and David Efron. After their parents’ 2016 divorce, their father remarried and welcomed Olivia, now 5, and Henry, 4, making Dylan a proud big brother.
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’ “You’ll Be in My Heart.” Judges were visibly emotional, with Tonioli tearing up as he told Robert, “[Your father] is looking at you, kid, and he’s smiling. You gave us all of your heart and soul.”
Robert later reflected on his mother’s strength following the death of his father, Steve Irwin, in 2006. “A credit to my mum – I never felt like I missed out on anything in life,” he said. “As I got older and gained perspective, I realized how much she did to make my childhood so full.”
With Olivia conquering her stage fright and dancing beside her big brother, the Efron family moment became one of Dancing with the Stars’ most heartwarming highlights of the season.
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