After his viral salsa number on Dancing With the Stars, Robert Irwin is still blushing — and laughing — about the crowd’s wild reaction when his shirt came off mid-routine.

“It was very hard not to blush,” Irwin told ET with a laugh. “I’m not exactly a suave individual, so trying to be cool while taking my shirt off was… new for me. But it was fun to just own that different side.”

Partner Whitney Carson agreed, adding that the bold choreography was a way to show audiences a new side of the beloved wildlife conservationist.
“People have always seen the happy, adventurous Robert,” she said. “But we wanted to tap into the cool, confident Robert — and the shirt moment really did that.”

The ballroom erupted with screams — so loud that Irwin admitted he “couldn’t even hear the music.” Then came the realization: his family was in the audience.
“I should’ve given them a heads-up,” he joked. “They were like, ‘Go Robert! Live your life!’”

From Crocodile Hunter to Cool Latin Dancer

Irwin, best known for continuing the legacy of his late father Steve Irwin, said the salsa routine pushed him outside his comfort zone.
“It’s almost like acting — you take on a new persona, but it’s still a part of you,” he said. “When else would I get to do that?”

The crowd wasn’t the only one impressed. Carson said she’s amazed by Irwin’s progress.
“He came in with zero dance experience,” she said. “He’s passionate, focused, and takes it seriously. It’s a testament to how much he wants this.”

For Irwin, that focus runs deep:
“It’s been a dream of mine for over a decade,” he shared. “Dance is an art form — it deserves total respect. Dancers are the fittest people on earth!”

Alligators, Family, and the Next Challenge

Off the dance floor, Irwin brought Carson into his own world at the Australia Zoo — complete with crocodile encounters.
“Crocs scare me to death!” Carson admitted. “But Robert made me feel safe. I even started thinking the gators were cute!”

As for his family, the Irwins are his biggest cheerleaders. Sister Bindi gives him tactical advice before each show, while little Grace provides “hype girl energy.”
“In the trailer before showtime, it’s like Eye of the Tiger blasting,” Irwin said. “Grace runs in and says, ‘Uncle Robert, you look amazing!’ It fills me with energy.”

Next Up: The Cha-Cha and Disney Night

This week, Irwin and Carson will dance the cha-cha to Shakira’s Try Everything from Zootopia.
“It’s perfect,” Irwin said. “That movie is all about positivity, inclusion, and wildlife — it’s basically my life story. And when Shakira starts playing, the hips just move on their own!”

Robert’s American Adventure

Though Irwin loves spending time in Los Angeles, he says his heart will always belong to Australia.
“I’m half-American, but Australia is home,” he explained. “Still, I love the U.S. — it’s a second home.”

Carson teased she’s recruiting him to Utah next: “We’ll get him to try fry sauce and fit right in!”

Whitney’s New App — and Robert’s New Dance Move

Meanwhile, Carson just launched her new dance app, Finesse, which lets anyone learn choreography from home.
“It’s for everyone — totally free and fun,” she said.
Irwin even makes a guest appearance: “I begged my way in,” he joked. “We’ve got a little routine on there together.”

And his new go-to dance move?
“It used to be just this little side shuffle,” he laughed. “Now it’s a full-on point, turn, and groove situation. You’ll see it at the next wedding!”