Robert Irwin is looking forward to honoring his late father, Steve Irwin, on this season of Dancing with the Stars. He’s going into it with his whole heart and hoping to showcase his dad’s love and passion for life in his performances.
Robert was among the first celebrity contestants announced for Season 34 of DWTS. He joins following his sister Bindi Irwin’s impressive run and win in Season 21, and he’s excited to take his turn in the ballroom.
Robert Irwin hopes to bring his late dad Steve Irwin’s energy to the DWTS ballroom
Robert’s sister Bindi took home the Mirrorball with partner Derek Hough in 2015. And now, her brother has the chance to do it too! But more than anything, Robert is hoping to bring his late dad, Steve’s, energy to the competition and to his dancing. Steve passed in 2006 due to an unprovoked stingray attack.
Robert spoke with PEOPLE following the full cast reveal for DWTS Season 34 and admitted that he wasn’t too sure what Steve would think of the competition.
“Crikey, I don’t know, like all the rhinestones and the glitter and all of that. It’s a lot,” he shared about what his dad’s potential reaction would have been. “But you know, he always said it was really funny. He’d always go, ‘I don’t care if people remember me. I want people to remember my message and what I stand for.’”
He added, “I think people remember his message and him. He just showed what it was like to truly live life 100% and above everything else, he was the greatest dad, always there for us.”
Robert shared that when he steps into the ballroom with partner Witney Carson, he hopes to channel his dad’s passion for life. “I just hope to keep his legacy alive, his spirit, his love for life,” he said. “If I can bring that kind of energy into the ballroom, I’ve done my job.”
He hopes to make his dad proud. And he has the support of his whole family, too. The crew has flown over to support Robert’s ballroom bid. Bindi even gave her brother some advice.
“The advice she’s given me is just to make it your own and enjoy (it) because it’s so fleeting,” Robert shared. “It goes by so fast. She was there the whole way, the entire show, and won, but she said it still felt like a blink. So just enjoy. That’s what I’m going to do. I’m gonna try to lock in.”
Dancing with the Stars Season 34 will premiere on Tuesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. on ABC and Disney+. It will stream on Hulu the next day.
TELL US – ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO ROBERT ON DWTS? COULD THERE POTENTIALLY BE ANOTHER IRWIN WIN ON THE HORIZON?
