Daniella Karagach Compares Robert Irwin to This Previous 'DWTS' Contestant Who 'Won Everyone's Hearts' (Exclusive)
Daniella Karagach has big hopes for Robert Irwin on this season of Dancing with the Stars
The pro tells PEOPLE she's "sure he's going to be in the finals," and that he's going to have some major help as people are going to "fall in love with him"
She also compares Irwin, 21, to another young celebrity contestant from last season who she says was "America's sweetheart"Robert Irwin is going to steal the people's hearts on Dancing with the Stars this season. At least, that's what Daniella Karagach is predicting.
The 21-year-old Aussie, who was the first celebrity contestant confirmed for DWTS season 34, is "very sweet," Karagach tells PEOPLE, so much so that he reminds her of another young sweetheart contestant from last season.
"I think he's great. I think he's exactly like Stephen [Nedoroscik]," she says. "He's America's sweetheart. People loved Stephen — he just won everyone's hearts, [he's] so, so kind. And I feel like Robert gives that same energy."
Calling Irwin "very family-oriented" and "humble," Karagach, 32, says he's "just a good guy," which is why he reminded her of Nedoroscik, 26.
"I think people are going to fall in love with him," she says of Irwin, who she predicts will make it to the championships this season.
"He's going to do [well]. I mean, I'm sure he's going to be in the finals," she says.
What gives her such faith in the conservationist? "I just feel like personality and popularity plays such a big part, so even if you're not the best dancer, I feel like if you're popular enough and people support you, you'll go really far," she says.
Robert is following in his older sister Bindi's footsteps six years later as he joins this season of DWTS. Bindi competed with Derek Hough in 2015 and took home the mirrorball trophy, but Robert told PEOPLE there's "no sibling rivalry" between them.
"It's actually really nice. She has just said, 'Go into this and make it your own.' She said it's going to be a completely different experience."
"I'm definitely going to be leaning on her a lot, as I have throughout my entire life, to be honest,' 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.'
He also recalled cheering his older sister on in the ballroom as a "little 11-year-old kid with my little blonde bowl cut" when she competed a decade ago.
'Now Bindi is going to be there supporting me, and she'll have a lot more dance wisdom than 11-year-old Robert," he said. "I didn't have much to bring to the table, but she does. She's done it. She's won it!"
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Other than Robert, influencer Alix Earle is the only other confirmed celebrity contestant for season 34.
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