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The new season of Dancing with the Stars<\/em> just premiered last night and it’s already clear that Robert Irwin<\/strong> is in the running to take home the Mirrorball Trophy.<\/p>\n The 21-year-old Australian conservationist, who is is the son of late Crocodile Hunter<\/em> star Steve Irwin<\/strong>,\u00a0took to the floor on Tuesday night (Sept. 16) with partner Witney Carson<\/strong><\/a> and received high praise from the judges. By the end of the night, they were tied at the top of the leaderboard.<\/p>\n And while their performance was clearly a success, Robert admits that there was one moment during their dance that wasn’t quite planned. After finishing their high-scoring jive, Robert ran to the sidelines to embrace his older sister Bindi, who was sitting in the audience with the rest of their family.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac\u00a0<\/strong>SIGN UP for Parade\u2019s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\ud83c\udfac\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n “That was not planned but I just finished that and the sense of just warmth and relief and joy,” he told Entertainment Tonight<\/a>. “Bindi said, ‘This will feel like flying’ and now I know that feeling.”<\/p>\n In case you didn’t know, Bindi competed on season 21 of Dancing With the Stars<\/em>\u00a0alongside Derek Hough<\/strong> back in 2015 and actually won the entire competition.<\/p>\n Getting emotional, Robert added, “I just went over to Bindi and gave her a hug…It just meant a lot. It was super cool.”<\/p>\n While holding back tears, Robert pleaded with viewers to reach out to their own sisters, saying, “Everybody text your sisters and tell them you love them!”<\/p>\n As for what his sister thought of his performance, Bindi couldn’t have been more proud of her younger brother<\/a>.<\/p>\n “CRIKEY!!!!!!!!” she commented a DWTS<\/em> post<\/a> featuring photos from Robert’s performance and adding on her own Instagram story, “So proud of you!!!!”<\/p>\n You can hear all the Robert Irwin had to say below.<\/p>\n Related:\u00a0Who Went Home on \u2018Dancing with the Stars\u2019 Tonight? A New Season Has Arrived!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This story was originally reported by Parade<\/a> on Sep 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n