Robert Irwin is opening up about the special moment he experienced after making his Dancing with the Stars debut.
The 21-year-old wowed the judges and audience with his first dance alongside partner Witney Carson on the show’s 34th season. The dynamic duo performed an upbeat jive to “Born to Be Wild” while dressed in jungle-themed outfits—a touching nod to Robert’s late father, Steve Irwin.
Judge, Derek Hough, who has been on the panel since 2020, even declared Irwin’s routine as “the best first dance I’ve ever seen on the show.” “That was incredible”, he added.
“Listen, you had some big shoes to fill with Bindi, but you didn’t just fill them — you owned those shoes, my friend,” Hough said. “Have you been practicing? Have you been practicing for 10 years?”
Robert Irwin Gets Sweet Message From Sister Bindi After ‘DWTS’ Reveal
Another judge Bruno Tonioli also had nothing but good things to say to the dance partners.
“Robert, mate, that wasn’t good. It was great! Wow, wonderful in the best possible way,” Tonioli said. “Your flicks, kicks and flicks side by side with the pointed feet — absolutely brilliant.”
The sweetest part of the night, though, came right after the riveting performance. As the crowd erupted in applause, Robert ran into the audience to give his sister, Bindi, a big hug.
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Bindi, who competed on DWTS in 2015 during season 21 and won the coveted mirrorball trophy, was clearly emotional watching her younger brother follow in her footsteps.
“That was not planned,” he explained to Entertainment Tonight. “But I finished that, and I just had this sense of warmth and relief and joy. Bindi said this would feel like flying. And now I know that feeling. I went over to Bindi and gave her a hug, and I was just like… yeah…”
Choking up, Robert then added, “It means a lot. It was super cool!” Before leaving the stage, he offered one last piece of advice: “Everybody text your sister and tell them you love them.”
