Robert Irwin kicked off his Dancing With the Stars journey with pure energy and heart — and he couldn’t help but reflect on how his late father, Steve Irwin, might feel watching him take on the ballroom.

The 20-year-old wildlife conservationist made his dazzling debut alongside pro partner Witney Carson, performing a lively jive on premiere night. “We are just buzzing,” Robert shared right after the performance. “It was such an amazing night. I could not have asked for a better premiere. Having my family in the audience, the nerves, the adrenaline — it felt like flying.”

From Crocs to the Cha-Cha

Though he impressed judges and fans alike, Robert admitted he had zero dance experience before the show. “Even at a party, I just sort of stand there,” he laughed. Instead of practicing, he spent the months before training on a crocodile research trip. “That builds up the core strength. You’ve got to dance around those crocs to make sure you don’t get bit.”

Carson praised Robert as a quick learner: “He’s such a great student. He wants it so badly, and that passion makes all the difference.”

A Legacy of Passion

When asked how his late dad would react to seeing him on the show, Robert grew reflective. “Mate, I think he’d be stoked,” he said. “He never held back — he was passionate and enthusiastic about everything he did. He loved life when he was living on the edge and giving it 100%. That’s exactly what this experience is. I have the honor of continuing his legacy, and I never thought I’d get to do that by dancing — but here we are.”

A Family Affair

Robert isn’t the first Irwin to step into the ballroom spotlight. His sister, Bindi Irwin, won DWTS back in 2015. Robert revealed that she was thrilled when she heard Witney would be his partner. “She said, ‘You’ve got the most amazing dance partner. Just enjoy the process, because it goes by so fast.’”

The Irwins’ tight-knit family and dedication to conservation remain at the heart of everything they do. Robert even hinted at taking Witney to the Australia Zoo — with the promise of naming an animal after her. “We might need to one-up Derek Hough’s koala with something even rarer — maybe a red panda!” he teased.

Dancing Into the Future

As the competition heats up, Robert is determined to bring his trademark enthusiasm and fearless spirit to every performance. Just like his dad, he’s diving into this challenge with heart, humor, and 100% commitment.