Taking bold risks is something Robert Irwin grew up doing. However, the fan reaction to his latest venture caught him off guard.
The late Steve Irwin shocked fans with his close encounters with some of the deadliest reptiles and insects imaginable. His son Robert made a risky decision of a different kind in April, starring in a racy ad for Bonds underwear, wearing only boxers. In some of the photos, he was with snakes, lizards, and spiders, many of which were venomous.
Robert admits that even he was surprised by some of the fan reactions. “I did not expect the reaction it got!” said Robert. “I’m not going to lie: It was a little strange.”
The actor, television host and conservationist is opening up about the underwear ad.
Robert Irwin turned heads in his Bonds underwear campaign
Knowing the kind of dangers his late father regularly put himself in evidently hasn’t discouraged Robert from exposing himself in a different way. His underwear ad stunned many fans perhaps because of the kind of dangerous creatures he surronded himself with.
The co-host of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here says he hasn’t forgotten about all the support since he was a youngster. “I’m grateful to everyone who’s been there from the little Bobby days, but yes, I’m all grown up, and I want to start tackling bigger projects and discussing the big and important issues.”
“At the end of the day, that campaign wasn’t about me,” Robert told People. “It was about wildlife.”
According to him, the April photo shoot for the Made for Down Under campaign was a typical day in his life. “I mean, I’ve spent my life wrangling crocs and snakes and rescuing animals,” he said. “I’m surrounded by spiders and snakes except [this time] I’m in my undies. That’s the only difference.”
Robert says that he’s encouraged that his fan base is growing. “I feel like my whole mission of conservation is being listened to on an even larger scale, and it’s more important than ever to come together with a sense of kindness toward each other and toward the planet.” His physique in the photo were especially impressive. He attributes his great abs to a lifestyle of staying fit. That is done in part by walking across the acres on the Australian Zoo’s wildlife reserve.
He’ll partner with Witney Carson in the 34th season of Dancing with the Stars, which premieres on September 16.
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