Robert Irwin is officially heading to the ballroom, and he’s bringing some wholesome family energy with him.
The 20-year-old conservationist and wildlife personality is set to compete on Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars, following in the glittery footsteps of his older sister, Bindi Irwin, who famously won the competition back in 2015. But don’t expect any rivalry from these two, just love, support, and a whole lot of dance floor inspiration.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE during the Steve Irwin Gala in Las Vegas on May 10, Robert opened up about what it’s like stepping into the DWTS spotlight nearly a decade after Bindi’s big win. And no, there’s no sibling competition brewing. “There is no sibling rivalry,” Robert said. “She has just said, ‘Go into this opportunity and make it your own.’ She said, It’s going to be a completely different experience.”
Robert Irwin’s Dancing with the Stars journey is already starting on the right foot, thanks to Bindi’s encouragement. He said she’s been his guiding light since day one, and this new adventure is no different. “I mean, I was there as a little 11-year-old kid with my little blonde bowl cut watching her and trying to support her from the sidelines,” he shared. “Now Bindi is going to be there supporting me, and she’ll have a lot more dance wisdom than 11-year-old Robert. I didn’t have much to bring to the table back then, but she does. She’s done it. She’s won it.”
Even though the stakes are high and the glitter is real, Robert doesn’t feel any pressure to match his sister’s success on the show. His approach is more grounded, lean on Bindi, trust the journey, and enjoy the process. “I’m definitely going to be leaning on her a lot, as I have throughout my entire life,” he said. “I think loss brings a family together like nothing else, and for us, for Bindi and myself, we’ve always had each other’s backs through everything, and this is going to be no different. I feel very lucky that I’ve got her in my corner.”
Unfortunately, Bindi couldn’t be at the gala to cheer him on in person. The DWTS alum had to undergo emergency surgery after her appendix burst. “There’s never a good time for your appendix to go, ‘See ya,’ but today’s the day, so she is such a trooper,” Robert told the crowd. He revealed that Bindi had been dealing with a “grumbling appendix” for some time and called her a total warrior for pushing through it. “She defines that warrior spirit,” he added.
The Steve Irwin Gala was held to honor the legacy of their legendary father, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, and raise funds for Wildlife Warriors, the conservation charity created by Terri Irwin and her late husband. Though Bindi couldn’t attend, Robert and Terri were there keeping the family spirit alive, and reminding everyone that the Irwins are about way more than just animal conservation. They’re about love, resilience, and now, a little bit of ballroom glam too.
Robert hasn’t been paired with a pro dancer yet, but fans are already buzzing about who might get matched with the Aussie heartthrob, especially after those NSFW ad photos of him recently surfaced online. The guy has definitely grown up, and now he’s ready to prove he’s got more than just wildlife skills. The ballroom awaits, and with Bindi’s wisdom in his back pocket, Robert Irwin’s DWTS debut might just be one to remember.
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