Robert Irwin teases shirtless Dancing With the Stars debut: ‘That shirt's not lasting long’

Madeline Cove
The Nightly
Shirtless snake stunt as he reveals he's going on Dancing With The Stars.

Robert Irwin is trading crocodile wrangling for the cha-cha as he gears up for season 34 of Dancing With the Stars.

The 21-year-old conservationist opened up about his long-anticipated DWTS debut at the Steve Irwin Gala in Las Vegas, sharing his excitement — and teasing a few fashion surprises to come.

“I’ve been thinking about it for 10 years. Literally, since Bindi did it,” Robert told Extra, referencing his sister Bindi Irwin’s Mirrorball-winning season in 2015.

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“One day, that’s going to be me.”

Now that day has come, and Robert is bringing his signature Aussie flair to the ballroom — possibly minus a shirt.

Robert Irwin prepares to take home the Dancing with the Stars trophy.
Robert Irwin prepares to take home the Dancing with the Stars trophy. Credit: AAP

“You heard it here first. Yes, I don’t think that shirt’s lasting long,” he joked.

“You’ve got to have mobility. You can’t let it get in the way.”

But don’t expect him to leave his khakis behind.

Robert teased a fusion of dance floor glam with wildlife chic: “I do also want to see how Dancing With the Stars can incorporate khaki… I need a piece of Australia Zoo, a piece of Irwin-ness in there.”

The gala marked a celebration of his father Steve Irwin’s legacy, but Robert also gave a family update.

His sister Bindi was recovering from emergency surgery and couldn’t attend, nor could their mother, Terri Irwin.

“She’s going to be ok,” Robert said, revealing Bindi had undergone appendix surgery.

Days later, Bindi shared more on Instagram: “I had my appendix removed. I also had 14 new endometriosis lesions that had to be removed, and they kindly stitched up my hernia as well.”

Robert’s DWTS announcement follows another bold move — his viral April campaign for Bonds underwear.

In it, he posed in white boxers alongside a tarantula and snake.

“I was like, ‘Yes! Let’s do it!’” he said.

“Bonds in Australia are an absolute icon.”

“I’ve spent my life wrangling crocs and snakes… except this time I’m in my undies. That’s the only difference,” he added.

Season 34 of DWTS is set to return later this year and it looks like Irwin is ready to bring the wild to the waltz.

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