Dancing With the Stars season 34 has its first celebrity contestant — and fans already know his sister.
ABC announced on Tuesday, April 22, that Robert Irwin will join the cast as the first dancer for season 34, while simultaneously confirming the reality competition’s renewal.
Robert, 21, resides in Australia and is a wildlife conservationist like his father, the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin. (Steve died in September 2006 at age 44 after being fatally stung by a stingray.)
His business is a family affair as Robert, his mother, Terri Irwin, and his sister, Bindi Irwin, all work to continue Steve’s legacy with crocodiles and other animals at the Australia Zoo.
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While Robert is new to the ballroom for season 34, his sister, Bindi, 26, was a contestant during season 21. Bindi and her dance partner, Derek Hough, took home the Mirrorball Trophy in November 2015.
Throughout season 21, Bindi chose to use dancing to remember her and Robert’s late father. “I’m trying to carry on my dad’s legacy, and it is tough,” Bindi exclusively told Us Weekly in September 2015. “Even though the sun will never shine as brightly, it will shine again. And that’s a part of life, and it’s why I wanted to be here and do this, because we’re all faced with these challenges and tragedies. It’s important to pick yourself up and to remember everything they lived and died for and carry that message forward.”
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While on the show, Bindi received support from her mom, 60, and her brother, who was often spotted in the stands. At the time, Hough, 39, noticed just how wonderful the Irwin clan was to be around.
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“Her brother is equally as awesome as she is!” Hough exclusively told Us in September 2015. “I saw him, and he was like, ‘Oh my gosh I’m so proud of Bindi! She’s so amazing!’ I’m like, ‘Y’all are like the coolest human beings and I’m so thankful you’re in my life right now!’”
Bindi won the coveted trophy for season 21, but the most recent Mirrorball winner was The Bachelor alum Joey Graziadei. He won season 33 in November 2024 with Jenna Johnson as his professional partner.
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“I feel like Jenna deserves this fully and it’s all for her,” Graziadei, 29, said after Jenna’s husband and fellow pro, Val Chmerkovskiy, handed them the trophy. “It means everything, this whole experience has been unbelievable.”
When it comes to season 34, Robert is the only contestant that’s been publicly revealed. The rest of the case as well as the lineup of pro dancers will be announced at a later date.
Dancing With the Stars will return to ABC and Disney+ sometime this fall with new episodes streaming next day on Hulu.
