Whenever I open TikTok, my feed is flooded with Robert Irwin edits. His Dancing with the Stars win a few weeks ago has only made the buzz louder, as he beat out Carrie Ann Inaba’s “most improved dancer” Alix Earle, who many thought would take the Mirrorball Trophy. So how was he able to capture the hearts of so many fans while competing against influencers with millions of followers, Olympic athletes, and well-known actors? Here are a few things I think set him apart from his competition this season.
His Image
If you’re on Instagram, you probably saw Robert’s iconic photoshoot with Bonds, giving fans an idea of just how much he’s grown up since his last time in the spotlight. People who had never even heard of him were suddenly following him and learning more about his family’s story. It’s rare to find a guy who looks like Robert without also finding red flags, making people focus on him more than other male celebrities. Witney Carson, his partner in Dancing with the Stars, didn’t hesitate to use his appearance to spice up their performances, an effective tactic to bring in more votes.
The Family Name
The Irwin family has been a household name for the past thirty years, with The Crocodile Hunter premiering in 1992, introducing Steve Irwin, Robert’s dad, globally. Steve was known for his unique relationship with all animals, not just the cute and cuddly ones. He encouraged everyone to invest time and effort into wildlife conservation, showing just how important animals are to humans, and vice versa. After his tragic death, Terri Irwin, Robert’s mom, carries on his legacy by managing the Australia Zoo and continuing to tell stories about his adventures. Additionally, Bindi Irwin, Robert’s sister, won Dancing with the Stars exactly ten years ago when she was only seventeen, building the hype for another Irwin to take home the Mirrorball.
He’s Just a Good Guy
While other contestants were introduced as “Actress”, “Social Media Personality”, and “Comedian”, Robert claims the title of “Wildlife Conservationist”. Living at the Australia Zoo, Robert has quite literally dedicated his life to protecting animals and advocating for the environment. He is also actively involved in raising funds for The Irwin Family Nonprofit, most recently by auctioning canvas prints of his photography. And if all that doesn’t convince you that he’s extremely likable, Prince William himself invited Robert to serve as an ambassador for the Earthshot Prize Event, honoring those who contribute to environmentalism. Unfortunately, Robert had to turn down the offer because of his prior commitment to dance on live television, but this didn’t stop Prince William from FaceTiming to wish him good luck during rehearsal.
Hard Work Despite Injury
During his last week of rehearsals, Robert suffered a rib injury and had to stop often because of the pain. In the days leading up to his finale performance, he voiced his concern about competing while his physical health wasn’t up to par. Many clips showed him hunched over in pain, but returning to dance shortly after to be as prepared as possible to win over the fan vote one last time. Defying expectations yet again, he performed all three dances with minimal error, bringing an insane amount of energy and receiving a near-perfect score for the night.
What Can’t He Do?
Before Dancing with the Stars premiered this season, Robert and Witney posted a TikTok doing a viral dance trend, in which Robert looked absolutely clueless, flailing his arms with a goofy smile and putting on his best performance to trick fans into thinking he couldn’t dance to save his life. Some comments on the post expressed fans’ second-hand embarrassment, wishing Robert could be both coordinated and hot. Luckily, it was all a facade, and his jive in Episode 1 blew everyone away, adding to the shock factor. He proved that he really could do it all, whether it’s keeping time on the dance floor or wrangling a crocodile.
This season, a new voting record was set every week, and I don’t doubt Robert played a role in this. From twenty-year-old girls to people who used to watch The Crocodile Hunter as kids, so many demographic groups supported him. His technicality, mixed with the personality he brought to each of his dances, made him a deserving winner and a fan favorite from the earliest episodes. Now, among the expansive animal exhibits, two Mirrorball trophies will be on display at the Australia Zoo, leaving the Irwins undefeated.