NEED TO KNOW
Robert Irwin says he didn’t expect to break the internet with his racy underwear campaign that dropped in April
He talks about getting into shape for the ads in this week’s cover story
While he’s admits the attention was strange, he’s glad the campaign was so popular to share his message about wildlife conservation and reach as many people as possible
Robert Irwin, the 21-year-old son of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, knows he shocked the world when he starred in a racy ad for Bonds underwear in April. Still, he says the reaction to it was wilder than he expected.
Bonds
Robert Irwin wearing Bonds Australia underwear for a campaign last April
“I did not expect the reaction it got!” he tells PEOPLE. “I’m not going to lie: It was a little strange. But people were also very kind. I forget that so many people have been on my journey since I was tiny — I was born on Crocodile Hunter. I’m grateful to everyone who’s been there from the little Bobby days, but yes, I’m all grown up, and I want to start tackling bigger projects and discussing the big and important issues.”
In this week’s cover story, Irwin got candid about the ad, what he’s up to next (Dancing with the Stars, beginning Sept. 16 on ABC), and exactly what message he’s eager to share with fans.
Robert Irwin (and Cassie the kitty!) on the new cover of PEOPLE
“At the end of the day, that campaign wasn’t about me,” he says. “It was about wildlife.”
In April, Robert told PEOPLE that posing with snakes, lizards and spiders (most of which were venomous!) for the “Made for Down Under” campaign was just another day on the job.
“I mean, I’ve spent my life wrangling crocs and snakes and rescuing animals,” he said. “And so to feature a little slice of that excitement in this new campaign, mate, it has been so much fun. I mean, I’m surrounded by spiders and snakes except [this time] I’m in my undies. That’s the only difference.”
Bonds
Robert Irwin in the Bonds Australia underwear ad last April
These days, Robert says he’s thrilled his fanbase is only growing larger, for this reason: “I feel like my whole mission of conservation is being listened to on an even larger scale, and it’s more important than ever to come together with a sense of kindness toward each other and toward the planet.”
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Bonds
Robert Irwin Bonds underwear ad
When asked if he kept up the same workout regimen that got him his abs for the campaign, he says he’s still in shape, but a different kind of shape.
“There were too many sit-ups for that campaign! But I really wanted to be in the best shape mentally and physically then, because I was representing Australia, and I wanted to feel super confident,” Robert says. “For Dancing With the Stars, I’m using new muscles that you don’t ordinarily use. It’s true that you cannot have enough core strength for dancing. It’s just another level.”
He adds that he’s always been interested in keeping fit, which he’s mostly done by walking across the acres on the Australia Zoo’s wildlife reserve, where he works as a conservationist, and keeping his diet as clean and fresh as possible.
“I do feel like this whole body-image conversation has become an important thing in my repertoire to discuss,” he says.
“Once you’re in the fitness world, people fall into a trap of how you have to look a certain way, but my message to young people is work on just being the best version of yourself. If you wake up in the morning and have fresh air and feel happy in your mind, boom, you’re on a win.”
He may not be afraid of wild animals or posing in his underwear, but Robert admits he does get the jitters about the next adventure he’s about to tackle on Dancing with the Stars. “Look, if you think you’re bad at dancing, multiply that by 100!” he says.
“I’ve never tried it, I don’t wear sequins, I’m not in this world at all. So it’s super new, and it’s terrifying, but it’s also awesome. It’s an adrenaline rush. I feel like I live for adrenaline. I’m not really living if I’m not on the edge just a little bit,” he adds.
Dancing with the Stars season 34 premieres Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and simulcast on Disney+. The show streams the next day on Hulu.
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source nz.news.yahoo.com ’
