Bindi Irwin couldn’t be happier that her little brother, Robert Irwin, is following in her Dancing With the Stars footsteps.
“DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 34 – LET’S GOOOO!” Bindi, 26, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, April 22, after news broke of Robert’s casting. “Robert, you are going to absolutely shine in the ballroom. I wish I could express the magnitude of how proud I am of you and everything you have achieved.”
Bindi added, “[I] can’t wait to cheer you on each week as you inspire so many with your strength, kindness and determination. Here’s to an extraordinary journey ahead.”
She also reflected on her own DWTS journey, stating that she “can’t believe it’s been 10 years since I won @dancingwiththestars with the most remarkable human being, @derekhough.”
Bindi’s post featured a clip of one of her and Derek Hough’s performances on the show, as well as a sweet snap of herself and Robert, 21. “So excited to be back in the ballroom celebrating my brother 🎉,” she concluded.
Bindi was 17 years old when she took home the DWTS mirrorball trophy with Hough, 39, on season 21 in 2015. Bindi paid tribute to her and Robert’s late father, conservationist and TV personality Steve Irwin, throughout her run on the ABC competition series, from her debut dance to Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” to her emotional finale freestyle to Leona Lewis’ “Footprints in the Sand.”
Now a judge on the show, Hough shared his excitement about Robert joining the DWTS family by looking back at one of his and Bindi’s season 21 performances via Instagram. “Dancing with @bindisueirwin was a profound honor, especially sharing her touching tribute to her father. This is a season I will cherish forever,” he wrote on Tuesday. “Seeing little @robertirwinphotography in the audience, cheering her on, made it all the more special. Now, almost ten years later, having Robert join Season 34 is surreal and heartwarming. Can’t wait to see him light up the dance floor!”
In an Instagram Story, Hough posted a throwback pic of Robert posing with Bindi and her trophy, as well as a clip of a young Robert stating he would “love” to compete on the show.
Recommended Article
Robert shared the same clip via his own Instagram on Tuesday, writing, “11 year old me is beside himself right now 😂.” He added, “Bindi, thank you for inspiring me to take on this next adventure 🙌🏼☺️ @dancingwiththestars, I’m so grateful for the life-changing experience ahead.”
In a clip revealing his casting, Robert greeted fans while shirtless and carrying a snake around his neck. “This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid watching my sister’s incredible journey on the show back in 2016,” he wrote via Instagram on Tuesday. “I cannot believe it is about to become a reality. So grateful 🙌🏼.”
Bindi praised her brother in the post’s comments section, stating, “So so so proud of you! Congratulations and can’t wait for you to SHINE in the ballroom 🎉.”
Dancing With the Stars returns this fall on ABC and Disney+ with new episodes streaming the next day on Hulu
