Robert Irwin has caused a stir among fans with a subtle nod to his late father, Steve Irwin, during his inaugural appearance on Dancing With The Stars US this week.
The 21-year-old Australian wildlife enthusiast amazed the audience with an energetic jive performance set to ‘Born to be Wild,’ teaming up with dance partner Witney Carson.
But it was a quick pose to the camera that had viewers weeping.
During the captivating routine, Robert impressively leaped over Witney’s head and celebrated by raising both fists towards the camera—a gesture that Steve famously did.
One Irwin fan who noticed the Easter egg uploaded a clip of the moment to TikTok alongside a photo of Steve doing the same pose.
A viewer, moved by Robert’s tribute, commented, ‘Not Robert Irwin honoring his dad’s iconic pose in the first week on DWTS [crying emoji].’
Fans were deeply touched when Robert Irwin, 21, (left) honored his late father Steve (right) during his debut on Dancing With The Stars US. Robert recreated Steve’s well-known double-fist pose during his performance.
‘My husband is the biggest Steve Irwin fan and told me this and I’m gonna go cry now,’ she added in the caption.
The clip received an outpouring of emotional responses from fellow admirers of wildlife, including Jersey Shore’s Nicole ‘Snookie’ Polizzi, who shared, ‘I was hysterically crying.’
‘Goosebumps every time,’ another wrote, as someone else added: ‘I actually cried when I saw his dance. Steve would be so proud and impressed.’
‘When I saw this I had instant chills,’ yet another user agreed, while someone else wrote: ‘Steve would be so proud of his babies.’
Robert’s performance, which scored 15 out of 20, also included several other tributes to Australia Zoo and his father’s legacy.
The dance began with Robert crouched on a jeep wearing his trademark khaki uniform.
Howler monkey sounds blared as Robert looked through a set of binoculars, before jumping and ripping off his khaki top to reveal a tropical shirt beneath and leaping onto the dance floor.
An image of Uluru was also projected onto the background.
Robert’s performance also included several other tributes to Australia Zoo and his father’s legacy – including his khaki uniform and a prop jeep
A clip of the performance, which scored 15 out of 20, has gone viral with fans predicting Robert will take home the top prize in the competition
Robert’s family, who watched the performance from the front row of the studio audience, leapt to their feet to applaud as the routine reached its climax.
At one point, Robert rushed over to hug his sister Bindi Irwin, while their mother Terri and Bindi’s husband Chandler Powell watched on.
‘We just did that,’ a sweaty and clearly exhausted Robert said as he faced the judges.
Judge Bruno Toniolli began his review with a tease, telling the TV host, ‘That wasn’t good… it was great, absolutely brilliant,’ before awarding the pair 7 out of 10 for the routine.
Fellow judge Derek Hough, who appeared as Bindi’s dance partner on DWTS US in 2015, gave the pair 8 out of 10.
‘You had some big shoes to fill with Bindi,’ he said. ‘You owned those shoes, my friend…that was probably the best first dance I have ever seen on this show.’
Robert appeared humbled by the reception to his performance and modestly gave all credit to his dance partner, adding, ‘I haven’t moved to music in my entire life.’
His final score tied with Whitney Leavitt, from the Disney+ reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Robert’s family watched the performance from the front row of the studio audience. Pictured: Biindi Irwin (left), Bindi’s husband Chandler Powell (centre) and Irwin matriarch Terri (right)
