Who Is Robert Irwin? Meet The First ‘Dancing With The Stars' Season 34 Contestant
ABC's hit reality competition Dancing With the Stars is officially returning for its 34th season this fall. Along with the renewal came the reveal of the first celebrity contestant—whose sister is well known to viewers for her past time on the show.
On Tuesday, April 22, the show announced that Robert Irwin will join Season 34 as the first confirmed celebrity contestant. The 21-year-old wildlife conservationist enters the competition a decade after his sister, Bindi Irwin, won the Mirrorball trophy alongside pro dancer (and now judge) Derek Hough.
'I cannot tell you what an honor, what a privilege it is to be joining this season,' Irwin said at the launch event, recalling how, at 11 years old, he watched his sister Bindi have "the most incredible time" in the ballroom.
"And I just thought, 'one day that's gonna be me,'" he continued. 'I have these little dreams and now that dream is a reality and I am over the moon let's do this.'
Here's everything to know about Robert, from his career in wildlife conservation and his beloved father to his sister Bindi's winning DWTS 10 years ago.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 27: Terri Irwin and Robert Irwin arrivesfor the 33rd Annual ARIA Awards ... More 2019 at The Star on November 27, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lisa)
Robert Irwin lives in Australia and works as a wildlife conservationist. He's the son of the late Steve Irwin, the legendary environmentalist, and star of the documentary series The Crocodile Hunter. In September 2006, Steve tragically passed away at the age of 44 after a fatal stingray injury while filming an underwater documentary in the Great Barrier Reef.
Robert has carried on the Irwin family legacy, working as a zookeeper at the Australia Zoo alongside his mother, Terri, and sister, Bindi. The family operates the zoo's non-profit charity, Wildlife Warriors, and supports various global conservation projects worldwide, according to the Australia Zoo's website.
In 2014, he co-hosted the Discovery Kids series Wild But True, and from 2018 to 2022, he starred in Crikey! It's the Irwins, a show that follows the family's life and conservation work at the zoo.
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 25: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Bob, Steve and Bindi Irwin pose ... More with 3yr old alligator Russ at Australia Zoo on June 25, 2005 on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. (Photo by MeganSlade/Newspix/Getty Images)
As a teenager, Robert went viral thanks to his recurring appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he introduced Jimmy and celebrity guests like Kevin Hart to various wild animals, including baby black bears, a tarantula, a falcon, and more.
DANCING WITH THE STARS - "Episode 2111A" - Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough were crowned Season 21 ... More champions during the two-hour season finale of "Dancing with the Stars," TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images. (Photo by Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Robert's sister Bindi, 26, was a contestant during Season 21 of Dancing With the Stars. Bindi was paired with current judge Derek Hough, and they won the Mirrorball Trophy in November 2015.
Robert's sister, Bindi, 26, competed on DWTS in Season 21. She was paired with Hough, and they ultimately won the Mirrorball Trophy in November 2015.
During her time on the show, Bindi paid tribute to her late father through her performances. In the finale, she delivered a deeply emotional freestyle routine dedicated to him, earning a perfect score of 30/30 from the judges.
'Sometimes during rehearsals, it feels like there's three people in the room,' Bindi said at the time. "Derek put that feeling into this freestyle.'
Terri and Robert were by Bindi's side during her time on Dancing With the Stars, and now they'll be cheering him on this fall. Back in 2019, when asked by Entertainment Tonight if he'd ever follow in his sister's footsteps, Robert joked, "I'm not as graceful as Bindi, let's just say that. I'm not very graceful."
However, he didn't rule it out. "[But] I'd give it a go," he added. 'I don't think I'd be as good as Bindi. She was incredible.'
Hough, who joined the judging panel full-time in 2020 following the passing of Len Goodman, told People that Robert is 'coming with them abs' and that the show is 'really lucky to have him.'
'It's been 10 years since that little guy was on that front row rooting for [his sister] Bindi Irwin,' the judge said after the announcement. 'And to see the man that he's become in short 10 years is pretty amazing, man. We're really lucky to have him.'
"Premiere - 3301" "Dancing with the Stars" returns for an all-new star-studded season! Co-hosted by ... More Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, the series returns for season 33, featuring 13 new celebrities who are ready to hit the ballroom floor. TUESDAY, SEPT. 17 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT/PDT, 7:00-9:00 p.m. CDT), on ABC. (Disney/Eric McCandless) CARRIE ANN INABA, ALFONSO RIBEIRO, DEREK HOUGH, JULIANNE HOUGH, BRUNO TONIOLI
So far, Robert Irwin is the only confirmed contestant for Season 34. ABC is expected to reveal the full cast lineup on Good Morning America closer to the show's premiere this fall.
DANCING WITH THE STARS - "Finale" - Once again, the finale episode will have five couples competing ... More for a chance at winning the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The finalists will each perform a redemption dance assigned by our judges, plus an unforgettable freestyle routine. TUESDAY, NOV. 26 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EST) on ABC. (Disney/Eric McCandless) JOEY GRAZIADEI, JENNA JOHNSON
Although the exact premiere date for Dancing With the Stars Season 34 has not been announced, it is anticipated to return in mid-September, based on the timing of previous seasons.
Season 33 of DWTS wrapped in November 2024, with The Bachelor star Joey Graziadei and pro dancer Jenna Johnson taking home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Stay tuned for updates on when the new season will officially debut on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu.
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