Robert Irwin says his late father Steve Irwin would be looking down proudly on his Dancing With The Stars US debut. The 21-year-old conservationist teamed with Witney Carson for a high-energy jive to Born to Be Wild, a routine that included a subtle nod to his Crocodile Hunter dad. The performance, broadcast during the current season, set the tone for what many viewers described as a standout first dance.
Terri Irwin shared a clip on Instagram this week of a chat Robert gave on Access Hollywood, in which he reflected on how his father would react to his appearance on DWTS. "Mate, I think he'd be stoked," he said, adding that Steve would always back him to live life with passion. He described his father as someone who "never held back" and said he was honoring Steve’s legacy by taking part in the show. "He loved life when he was just living on the edge and giving it 100%, and that is what this experience is," Robert asserted, noting that his participation represented more than personal ambition but a continuation of his family’s wildlife‑and‑adventure ethos.
Steve Irwin died on September 4, 2006, after a stingray injury while filming in the Great Barrier Reef. In a moment many viewers described as a tribute, Robert’s DWTS routine included a sequence that echoed his father’s iconic pose: at one point he jumped over Witney Carson’s head and then raised both fists toward the camera, a move that fans circulating on TikTok connected to Steve.
Terri Irwin’s Instagram clip also highlighted the family connection, with supporters and Wildlife Warriors posting messages of pride and emotion. Among the comments were expressions of tears and awe, with fans noting how the moment felt like a living tribute to Steve Irwin—even in a competitive setting where families often rally behind contestants.
Robert’s score for the routine was 15 out of 20, and critics and viewers quickly called it a strong start to his DWTS US journey. Some observers described the performance as among the season’s best first dances, praising rhythm, energy and the personal resonance of the homage to Steve. The reaction across social media included a flood of supportive messages from fans, fellow wildlife advocates and celebrities alike, underscoring the Irwin family’s enduring public presence and the way Robert is integrating his father’s legacy into contemporary entertainment.
Moving forward, the DWTS iteration will continue to follow Irwin’s progress as he brings a conservationist’s perspective to a dance competition format. The emerging narrative centers on how he balances showmanship with a sense of duty to his family’s mission, while audiences weigh the effectiveness of his performances against the broader arc of the season. In interviews and social posts surrounding his debut, Irwin has framed his participation as both personal ambition and a tribute to Steve, a message that has resonated with fans who grew up admiring the Crocodile Hunter and who now watch his son pursue a different kind of platform for public engagement.