Robert Irwin has no doubt his late father, Steve Irwin, would be a major fan of Dancing With the Stars.
“After doing this experience, I reckon I think he’d be stoked,” Robert, 21, exclusively shared with Us Weekly after the Tuesday, September 16, premiere. “I reckon he would love it in here. This is like the ultimate adrenaline rush, and that’s what he loved more than anything else.”
Steve died in September 2006 at the age of 44 after being injured by a stingray while filming a wildlife documentary in the Great Barrier Reef.
While Steve’s daughter, Bindi Irwin, won season 21 of Dancing With the Stars in 2015 with partner Derek Hough, Robert is now getting the opportunity to compete with professional dancer Witney Carson.
Witney Carson Had ‘Flashbacks’ of Robert Irwin as a Kid in ‘DWTS’ Ballroom
“[Steve] showed what it is to live life at 100 percent, to lead with a sense of authentic positivity and enthusiasm,” Robert shared after dancing the jive. “And that’s what I want to do, and that’s what I want to bring into the ballroom. It’s such a privilege to be able to do that alongside Witney. And honestly, everything out there is all thanks to Witney and all thanks to the team that we’ve got. I’m so lucky that we got this together.”
During week one of the competition, Robert and Witney, 31, danced to “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf. They received the highest scores of the night, tying with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt and partner Mark Ballas.
Although it’s still early in the season, Robert is already hoping to honor his father in some way later this fall.
“I would love to pay tribute to my dad, to my family and a legacy that is so important to me,” he teased to Us.
For now, Robert is savoring the opportunity to be part of a show that has brought joy to his family in many ways.
Bindi Irwin Reacts to Brother Robert Irwin Joining ‘DWTS’ Season 34
“I’m just looking at Bindi dead in the eye right before we go out, just like that sibling communication. There was, like, something going on there, and I’m like, ‘Am I good?’ She’s like, ‘You’re good,’” Robert recalled before sharing his older sister’s reaction to the first night of competition. “She just said, ‘I’m so proud of you, and I love you.’ She’s the best big sister ever. All the trials and tribulations of life, she’s always been there for me, and she’s always just been almost like a second mom. I’ve got Bindi, my mum and now [Witney.]”
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
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