The new season of Dancing with the Stars just premiered last night and it’s already clear that Robert Irwin is in the running to take home the Mirrorball Trophy.
The 21-year-old Australian conservationist, who is is the son of late Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin, took to the floor on Tuesday night (Sept. 16) with partner Witney Carson and received high praise from the judges. By the end of the night, they were tied at the top of the leaderboard.
And while their performance was clearly a success, Robert admits that there was one moment during their dance that wasn’t quite planned. After finishing their high-scoring jive, Robert ran to the sidelines to embrace his older sister Bindi, who was sitting in the audience with the rest of their family.
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“That was not planned but I just finished that and the sense of just warmth and relief and joy,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “Bindi said, ‘This will feel like flying’ and now I know that feeling.”
In case you didn’t know, Bindi competed on season 21 of Dancing With the Stars alongside Derek Hough back in 2015 and actually won the entire competition.
Getting emotional, Robert added, “I just went over to Bindi and gave her a hug…It just meant a lot. It was super cool.”
While holding back tears, Robert pleaded with viewers to reach out to their own sisters, saying, “Everybody text your sisters and tell them you love them!”
As for what his sister thought of his performance, Bindi couldn’t have been more proud of her younger brother.
“CRIKEY!!!!!!!!” she commented a DWTS post featuring photos from Robert’s performance and adding on her own Instagram story, “So proud of you!!!!”
You can hear all the Robert Irwin had to say below.