Robert Irwin, the son of the late Steve Irwin, is known for his work as a conservationist and zookeeper. People
Dancing with the Stars is back with exciting news! The show has announced Robert Irwin as its first celebrity contestant for the upcoming 34th season. This revelation was made on April 22, during Disney Entertainment Television's Get Real Event. The 21-year-old conservationist and zookeeper will compete for the coveted mirrorball trophy in the new season of the popular dance competition.
Robert, who is the son of the late Steve Irwin, shared his excitement with the crowd at the event. He spoke about how special it felt to join the show, mentioning how his sister, Bindi Irwin, competed on the show back in 2015. "I cannot tell you what a privilege, what an honor it is to be joining this season," Robert said. He also reminisced about how he had told himself, "One day, that’s gonna be me," after watching Bindi’s success on the show. Now that the opportunity has arrived, Robert said, "I am over the moon. Let’s do this!"
The show also revealed that the full cast of celebrities and professional dancers would be announced later. Robert, who works at the Australia Zoo with his sister Bindi, follows in his father’s footsteps, carrying on the family legacy of wildlife conservation. Steve Irwin, known for his daring wildlife documentaries, tragically passed away in 2006 when Robert was just 2 years old. Since then, Robert and Bindi have dedicated their lives to continuing his work.
In 2024, Robert was named a global ambassador for Prince William’s Earshot Prize. This role involves working on solutions for some of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. Robert’s passion for wildlife conservation remains a core part of his life, and he continues to raise awareness for animal protection through various platforms, including his new role on the dance show.
Robert isn't the first member of the Irwin family to compete on Dancing with the Stars. His sister Bindi won Season 21 of the show, along with her partner Derek Hough. Bindi’s victory was a proud moment for the Irwin family, and now, Robert is ready to take on the challenge himself.
Earlier this month, Robert made headlines for a bold campaign with the Australian underwear brand, Bonds. His cheeky ad, which featured him posing with snakes, lizards, and other animals, went viral. Despite the unconventional nature of the campaign, Robert explained that it was a way for him to spread awareness about wildlife conservation to a wider audience. "We are all trying to continue an important legacy that my dad started," Robert said.
As for what his dad Steve would have thought about his viral campaign? Robert joked, “There’d probably be a few ‘Crikeys’ thrown around!”
The upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars promises to be full of excitement and surprises. Season 33 of the show had a record-breaking finale, with over 32 million votes, and it reached its highest viewership in three years. Fans can look forward to another thrilling season with Robert Irwin joining the celebrity lineup. A premiere date for Season 34 is yet to be announced.
