Son of Crocodile Hunter striving hard ahead of debut on Dancing with the Stars US

Robert Irwin is giving his all as he prepares for his highly anticipated debut on Dancing with the Stars US, but even the famously energetic wildlife conservationist admits the training is tougher than expected.

The 21-year-old son of late Crocodile Hunter,  Steve Irwin, shared a candid glimpse into his rehearsal routine, posting a clip on social media that showed just how grueling the experience has been.

In the video, Robert was seen lying flat on the dance studio floor, gasping for breath after a challenging session with his professional partner Witney Carson. 

As he tried to recover, Carson could be heard joking from behind the camera: “I’ve killed him!” To which Robert, still smiling despite his exhaustion, reassured her with: “No, you haven’t.” 

He captioned the clip humorously: “Post rehearsals mood” with a laughing emoji.

The footage arrives just days after Robert revealed Carson as his official dance partner for the upcoming season. 

Fans were quick to point out her striking resemblance to Robert’s former girlfriend Rorie Buckey, who is the niece of late actor Heath Ledger.

 
With her sun-kissed blonde hair, warm smile, and similar features, Carson, 31, has drawn plenty of comparisons to the young conservationist’s ex, whom he split from in February 2024.

Despite the chatter, Robert and Carson appeared to share an easy chemistry when they posed together in promotional images. 

In true “Wildlife Warrior” style, Robert draped a massive white-and-yellow python across his shoulders while Carson, dressed in a sleek pink gown, playfully wrapped the snake’s tail around her torso.

Robert’s journey on Dancing with the Stars US comes nearly a decade after his sister Bindi Irwin won the competition in 2015 alongside professional dancer Derek Hough. 

His casting was first confirmed in April following his high-profile American campaign for Bonds underwear, and he has since relocated to Los Angeles to begin training.

The upcoming season promises stiff competition, with stars such as actor Corey Feldman and fitness personality Hilaria Baldwin also joining the lineup.

For Robert, the experience is both a new personal challenge and a chance to showcase his lighter, fun side beyond his conservation work.

 
Whether his stamina keeps up with the demanding rehearsals remains to be seen, but fans are already rallying behind him. Dancing with the Stars US premieres on Tuesday, September 16, on Disney+.