Fresh off his triumphant win on the US version of Dancing With The Stars, Robert Irwin is already setting his sights on the next family member to take to the ballroom floor. The young Australian wildlife conservationist and television personality is now leading a charge to get his mother, Terri Irwin, to compete in the upcoming season.
A Family Campaign for the Ballroom
In a new interview published on December 1, Robert directly addressed the swirling rumours about his mum potentially joining the cast. He confirmed he has even started a petition to make it happen. This comes despite Terri herself previously insisting that the show "is not for me."
"Let's wear her down and get her on there, because I think she would be great," Robert told The Hollywood Reporter. His determination stems from a belief that the dancing talent displayed by him and his sister must have a source within the family.
Robert pointed out that before competing, he had no idea he could dance, a sentiment echoed by his sister Bindi Irwin, who won the competition a decade earlier in 2015. "Those dancing genes, I'm pretty darn sure they didn't come from my dad," he joked. "I mean, he was a very athletic human being, but [had] no rhythm. So, I mean, I guess [we got them from my] mum. It must be."
Following in Bindi's Footsteps to Victory
The Irwin family now boasts two Mirrorball Trophies. Bindi, partnered with dancer (and now judge) Derek Hough, claimed the first for the family. Robert, who was just 11 years old when his sister won, always felt he would eventually follow in her footsteps.
"I knew it would happen eventually, but it just sort of, year after year, it kind of never quite lined up," he explained. "And then it just sort of worked out perfectly, where the stars aligned logistically." His victory on November 25, 2025, came exactly a decade after Bindi's win, cementing the Irwin legacy on the show.
From the start of the season, Robert was a standout, consistently topping the leaderboard and winning over audiences. A highlight was dedication week, where he invited his mother Terri to join him on the dancefloor for a special performance.
More Than Dancing: A Platform for Conservation
For Robert, the experience was about far more than learning new dance moves. It provided a massive platform to share the conservation work that defines his life. He is hopeful his mother could have a similar experience.
"The fact that not only did I get to live out that dream that I've had for so long, but also getting to represent what's so important to me," he reflected. "You know, at the end of the day, I'm not a dancer. I'm a zookeeper, I'm an advocate for the environment, first and foremost."
He credits the show with allowing him to bring the legacy of Australia Zoo, the Wildlife Warriors nonprofit, and his family's environmental mission to an entirely new and captivated audience. With his own journey complete, Robert's new goal is clear: convincing Terri Irwin that the ballroom is exactly where she belongs next.
