Robert Irwin collapsed and began hyperventilating after a strenuous rehearsal for the upcoming American season of Dancing with the Stars, the conservationist shared on social media.
In a short clip posted Tuesday, the 21-year-old son of the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin was seen lying on his back on a dance-studio floor, trying to catch his breath. His professional partner, Witney Carson, can be heard off-camera saying, "I've killed him!" Irwin replied, "No, you haven't," and later reassured fans in the post that he was fine.
Irwin captioned the clip "Post rehearsals mood" followed by a laughing emoji. The Australian television personality was announced in April as a contestant on the U.S. version of the competitive dance series, and has been documenting his preparations ahead of the show's debut.
Carson, 31, is a Latin ballroom dancer and choreographer who was revealed this week as Irwin's dance partner. Photos shared on Instagram show the pair posing together; in one image Irwin wore a large white-and-yellow python draped around his shoulders, while Carson smiled beside him. The post included the hashtag #DWTS.
The upcoming season, which will premiere Tuesday, Sept. 16, on Disney+, lists several other celebrities among its roster, including actor Corey Feldman and fitness expert Hilaria Baldwin. Irwin's appearance comes a decade after his sister Bindi Irwin won the series in 2015 with partner Derek Hough.
Irwin's social-media update followed a period of public attention on his personal life. He split from his former girlfriend Rorie Buckey in February 2024; some viewers and outlets noted a resemblance between Carson and Buckey, who is the niece of actor Heath Ledger.
Representatives for Irwin and for Dancing with the Stars did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment. The footage circulated widely on social platforms after Irwin posted it, prompting questions about the physical demands faced by celebrity contestants during the intensive rehearsal schedule that precedes the televised competition.
Dancing with the Stars typically requires multiple hours of daily rehearsal, and contestants often work with professional partners to develop choreography for weekly performances. Irwin arrived in Los Angeles ahead of filming and has been reported to be in high spirits as production ramps up.
Producers of the series have in past seasons emphasised medical checks and on-set support for contestants, but did not announce any special measures tied specifically to Irwin's rehearsals. The season will continue its live-television format on Disney+, with episodes scheduled to air in the coming weeks.