TV
Robert Irwin announces new Hollywood career move
The ballroom just got a little more... reptilian.
Robert Irwin, the 21-year-old Aussie wildlife warrior and part-time crocodile whisperer, has officially signed on for the upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars US. And how did he announce it? By strutting shirtless onto a stage in Los Angeles with a snake around his neck like it was just another Tuesday.
The announcement came during Hulu’s Get Real event, where Robert delivered an enthusiastic (and slightly slippery) surprise to the crowd. Cheers erupted, though it’s unclear if they were for Robert, the snake, or the possibility of a paso doble performed in khaki.
Robert, who grew up watching his sister Bindi Irwin twirl and samba her way to victory on Season 21 of the show, shared his excitement, saying: “I had these little dreams, going, ‘One day’ and now that dream is a reality and I am over the moon.”
Which, we can assume, is also how the snake felt about its brief moment of fame.
Taking to Instagram, Robert confirmed the dream was, in fact, no hallucination caused by excessive exposure to eucalyptus.
"It's official, I'm heading to Hollywood for Dancing With The Stars Season 34," he wrote. "This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid watching my sister's incredible journey on the show. I cannot believe it is about to become a reality. So grateful."
Naturally, fans flooded the comments with well-wishes, excitement and at least one person probably asking, “Is the snake going to dance too?”
Even the official DWTS account chimed in with a warm “Welcome to the DWTS fam”.
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But the pressure is real. Bindi Irwin won her season at just 17 years old, leaving Robert with some big dancing shoes to fill – and possibly a pair of backup snakes. Her most iconic moment? A moving contemporary tribute to their late father, Steve Irwin, that had the judges, the audience and half the internet sobbing into their glitter.
Bindi said at the time: "What shaped me the most would probably be when my dad passed away. It's been nine years and I've never really dwelled on that point. I think I'm ready to tell that story."
So, the bar is high. Emotionally and choreographically.
While Robert’s signature style has been more khaki-and-cobra than sequins-and-salsa, we eagerly await his transformation into a glittery, rhinestone-studded dance machine. Will he bring more snakes? Will he attempt a tango with a tarantula? Will he rip his shirt off mid-routine like it’s Magic Mike: Down Under?
Stay tuned. Season 34 is shaping up to be wild – literally.
Images: Instagram
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