Wildlife Warrior Turned Ballroom Star: Inside Robert Irwin’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Finale Journey
There’s something undeniably poetic about watching Robert Irwin glide across the Dancing with the Stars ballroom floor—a young man who spent his childhood among crocodiles and conservation efforts now navigating the intricate footwork of ballroom dance with the same fearless determination that defined his legendary father, Steve Irwin. As the Season 34 finale approaches on November 25th, the wildlife conservationist stands on the precipice of achieving what he’s described as “a dream of mine since I was a little kid”—following in the dancing footsteps of his older sister, Bindi, who claimed her own Mirrorball trophy a decade ago.
The 20-year-old Queensland native has captivated audiences throughout the competition, consistently dominating the judges’ leaderboard alongside professional partner Witney Carson. Their chemistry has been nothing short of electric, transforming the son of the “Crocodile Hunter” into a bona fide ballroom sensation. Now, as one of five finalists remaining, Irwin faces his most challenging night yet—three demanding performances including a Judges’ Choice round, an Instant Dance, and the all-important Freestyle routine.
What makes Irwin’s Dancing with the Stars journey particularly compelling is the beautiful symmetry it creates within his family’s narrative. Ten years ago, Bindi Irwin—partnered with the then-professional Derek Hough—waltzed her way to victory, bringing pride to the Irwin name on an entirely different stage than the one at Australia Zoo, the family’s iconic wildlife sanctuary. Robert has openly acknowledged this inspiration, posting heartfelt tributes on Instagram about watching his sister’s “incredible journey” and harboring his own ballroom dreams.
Beyond the sequins and spotlights, Irwin remains deeply rooted in his conservation work. As a manager at Australia Zoo and star of Animal Planet’s Crikey! It’s the Irwins, he’s proven himself a worthy successor to his father’s environmental legacy. His resume extends beyond wildlife documentaries—he hosts Australia’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here and is set to voice a character in the upcoming Zootopia 2, showcasing his versatility as an entertainer.
The finale promises to be a spectacular affair, with all eliminated Season 34 couples returning for ensemble performances, and Season 33 champions Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson gracing the ballroom once more. The live simulcast on ABC and Disney+ will allow fans to vote in real-time, their choices combining with judges’ scores to crown the winner.
Whether Robert Irwin claims the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy or not, he’s already achieved something remarkable—honoring his family’s legacy while carving out his own unique path, proving that the Irwin magic extends far beyond the Australian Outback.
