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.

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“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.

Who Is Robert Irwin?

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.

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.

When Did Bindi Irwin Win Dancing With the Stars?

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.”

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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.”

Have Any Other Dancing With the Stars Season 34 Cast Members Been Announced?

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.

When Does Dancing With the Stars Season 34 Premiere?

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.