On Tuesday, Nov. 25, Robert and Bindi Irwin made pop culture history by becoming the first set of celebrity siblings to each win a Dancing with the Stars mirrorball. Just 10 years after Bindi Irwin won season 21 with partner Derek Hough, Robert Irwin carried on the “Ir-WIN” legacy after winning season 34 with partner Witney Carson.
Upon the widespread fame of Steve Irwin’s show, The Crocodile Hunter, in the late 1990s, the Irwin family earned a name for themselves in the media. Bindi Irwin was born just two years after the start of the nature documentary series and made many appearances as an adorable Aussie toddler belonging to Steve and Terri Irwin. The Irwin family took pride in their conservation work in Australia, particularly in the Great Barrier Reef.
While this work did wonders for the wildlife community, Steve Irwin unfortunately died doing what he loved in 2006, just two years after his son Robert was born. This death was heartbreaking to many and made major headlines, bringing even more attention to The Crocodile Hunter and the Irwin family’s cause. Steve Irwin’s parents, Bob and Lyn Irwin, opened Beerwah Reptile Park in 1970 and passed the zoo onto Steve and Terri Irwin in the 1990s, when it earned the name of The Australia Zoo. As a widow, Terri Irwin took complete ownership of the zoo and allowed Bindi and Robert Irwin to begin officially working at the zoo once they were old enough, and this is when they really started to show the public their lovable personalities.
In 2015, Bindi Irwin entered season 21 of Dancing with the Stars with zero dance experience and a profound love for animals. Despite competing with star-studded individuals like Paula Deen, Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys, and Carlos PenaVega of Big Time Rush, it was Bindi Irwin who won the hearts of Americans, especially with her dances dedicated to her late father. During her time on set, Terri and Robert Irwin were always nearby, making many TV appearances and creating bonds with the pros and judges. Bindi Irwin showed rapid improvement in her ballroom dancing skills and brought home the finale trophy, also known on the show as a mirrorball. Her success brought major attention to the Irwin family once again, increasing the number of tourists at The Australia Zoo. Robert Irwin’s appearances on Dancing with the Stars also introduced the public to a new lovable Irwin.
With this new element of fame and the public’s longing to get to know Robert Irwin, the Irwin family put out the reality TV show, Crikey! It’s The Irwins, three years later in 2018. The show ran until 2022 and shed light on how the family has continued to pursue conservation after the loss of husband and father, Steve Irwin. This show led Robert Irwin to amass a fanbase on social media, and women especially took a liking to the looks and Aussie accent of Robert Irwin. He then started modeling with his reptile friends for magazines like People and brands such as Bond Underwear. It was this stardom on social media and new heartthrob status that led Robert Irwin to become part of season 34 of Dancing with the Stars.
Upon the announcement of Robert Irwin’s appearance on the show, fans all across the world, but mostly America, immediately knew who they would be rooting for to be the season 34 champion of Dancing with the Stars. While on the show, Robert shared how emotional this experience was for him, as 10 years previously, he sat courtside, cheering on his older sister, Bindi. He consistently shared how he wished his father could watch both him and Bindi perform, but he knew deep down how proud his father would be. Derek Hough, a judge and former pro on Dancing with the Stars, also shared this emotion, saying he felt like he had watched Robert Irwin grow up during the ten years after he danced and won the mirrorball with Robert’s sister Bindi. Fans believe that it is this emotional connection to the show, his family, and the pros that led Robert Irwin to win the entire season with pro partner Witney Carson.
While Robert Irwin did not achieve perfect scores on finale night, like season 34 runner-up Alix Earle, his story and charisma moved America to vote for him, gaining the highest vote count in all of Dancing with the Stars’ history. Terri and Bindi Irwin attended every live taping they could to cheer Robert on up until the very end, just as Robert and Terri Irwin did for Bindi. Though a decade later, this win for Robert Irwin was also a win for Bindi Irwin, as they became the first celebrity sibling duo to both earn Dancing with the Stars champion mirrorballs.
This season of Dancing with the Stars has shown the world that a kind soul and a fondness for animals can lead you to achieve anything. Robert and Bindi Irwin both went into Dancing with the Stars with zero dance experience and a dream, but left with mirrorball trophies and the heart of America. The Irwin family is a true inspiration as they continue to take care of the ecosystem, love all animals, and accomplish impressive goals, despite the tragedy of losing their son, father, and husband, Steve Irwin. I am incredibly impressed by the performance of Robert Irwin on season 34 of Dancing with the Stars, and I cannot wait to tune in to season 35 next year.