How Robert Irwin could be Australia's next Hollywood heartthrob
Celebrity agents have revealed why Robert Irwin has what it takes to be the next Hugh Jackman or Chris Hemsworth, as his shirtless DWTS performance has opened up a raft of possibilities.
When Robert Irwin ripped his shirt off on America’s Dancing with the Stars to reveal a jaw-dropping buff physique, it was as if an entire nation suddenly sat up and took notice and, in the process, promptly lost their minds.
Viewers flooded social media, praising the 21-year-old Irwin, best known in America previously for his conservation and wildlife advocacy.
‘I’ve got that performance on repeat,” posted one.
“Who knew he could move like that?” added another.
Yes, the Aussie formally known as “Baby Bob” has become Robert, a fully-blown sex symbol who has captured the hearts of America.
The man himself told E! News that he felt “flattered” by the attention despite “getting very red” from the compliments, adding he’d “never moved to music in my life” before joining the show.
Even mum Terri and sister Bindi (who won season 21 of the franchise) were surprised by Irwin’s bare-chested performance.
“They didn’t know I was doing that,” he told Entertainment Tonight.
“I said the shirt may come off but they weren’t expecting the hips.”
But Irwin also revelled in presenting the “new” him to millions of Americans. (Australians had already got a taste via his thirst-trap Bonds undies campaign featuring a delicately positioned python as his co-star.)
Talking about the now-iconic “shirt moment”, Irwin said, “I want to show this new side; I want to own this.”
“I’ve never gotten to do that,” Irwin continued. “I’ve never gotten to just be like, ‘You know what? I’m going to be cool. I’m just going to come and rock this, and it was fun.”
Irwin’s spectacular success on DWTS – judge Derek Hough called Irwin’s first appearance on the long-running series “the best first dance I have ever seen on the show” – has opened up a raft of possibilities and opportunities should he want to pursue a larger entertainment career in the US. And there’s every indication that he could.
Irwin confirmed that he’d already been approached by the Chippendales to join their show in Las Vegas, and Australia’s Thunder From Down Under also made inquiries.
“His personality, kindness, skills (and body!) make for a perfect celebrity host!” TMZ reported the Chippendales pitch as saying.
But to the disappointment of fans everywhere, he turned them down.
“All power to them … just not for me. Not right now … you know, I’ll take the shirt off every now and again but I’m going to draw the line there.”
A top Hollywood agent, who requested anonymity due to a business conflict of interest, said that “the sky’s the limit” for Irwin.
“He’s got everything – looks, charm, charisma. He’s a star. I can see him very easily crossing over into film, TV, and even Broadway. He’s already such a skilled performer, he doesn’t fit into any one box. He could be like a new Hugh Jackman in a way. And I think that’s what you need nowadays to be a long-term success, that versatility,” he says.
Irwin also announced on his social media that he landed a starring role in Disney’s “Zootopia 2”. He will be voicing a fuzzy koala called Robert Furwin in the highly anticipated animated sequel.
Irwin posted a sneak peak photo of the koala drinking from a coconut and wearing a collared beige shirt, much like the one Irwin would wear while working at Australia Zoo.
Fans have reacted with great excitement to the news, excited for the wildlife warrior to bring this character to life.
Americans, of course, have long loved the Irwins. Irwin’s late dad Steve was beloved in the US not only because of his long-running docuseries, The Crocodile Hunter, and its various spin-offs, but for his very Australianness. Americans couldn’t get enough of his good humour, his individuality and openness, and his willingness to try anything. Indeed, nearly 20 years after Steve’s death, there remains an extraordinary amount of goodwill towards the family in the US.
“You just have that Irwin aura,” judge Hough told Irwin, adding, “I can’t help but smile when I watch you perform.”
There’s also talk that the entire Irwin family - Terri, Bindi and her husband, Chandler Powell - could soon sign a new reality TV deal in America after Irwin’s DWTS success.
Public relations and brand expert, Sophie Rhone of Cupid PR, says Irwin is “refreshingly organic in an era of manufactured celebrity”.
“He’s inherited his father’s charm and purpose, but he’s built his own brand through authenticity, warmth, and relatability, qualities that resonate across generations,” Rhone says.
“What’s interesting is that his appeal bridges nostalgia and new media: older audiences see Steve Irwin’s legacy, while younger fans connect with Robert’s genuine personality and values-driven storytelling.”
Irwin could also be the latest Australian to ride on the coat-tails of America’s decades-long obsession with Australia, which went into high gear in the ’80s when Paul Hogan strolled into the American consciousness with his “throw another shrimp on the barbie” tourism ads before becoming a superstar after the blockbuster success of Crocodile Dundee, which ended in riches and an Oscar nomination for the former Sydney Harbour Bridge rigger.
The young Irwin could also follow the long line of other Australian performers such as Jackman, Chris Hemsworth, Eric Bana and Russell Crowe (OK, we know he was born in New Zealand) to find major American success.
In fact, Rhone reckons that Irwin has the talent and ability to mimic the career of a Chris Hemsworth.
“If he leans into that crossover, wildlife conservation meets mainstream entertainment, he could easily carve out a Hollywood path similar to Chris Hemsworth’s blend of action and advocacy, or even host-led formats like The Tonight Show,” she explains. “He represents a new kind of celebrity: purpose-first, personality-led, and perfectly timed for an audience craving sincerity.”
But if Americans went bananas for a shirtless Irwin, they completely lost it when the Aussie danced with mum Terri during an emotional performance to Phil Collins’ You’ll Be In My Heart on the show’s Dedication Night episode where each celebrity was asked to honour the person who’s been most influential in their life. Mother and son’s heartwrenching performance left those in the audience - and more than a few of us at home - wailing.
Within hours, clips of the performance flooded social media, with fans calling it “the most moving dance I’ve ever seen on this show”. As one viewer wrote: “We’re all collectively sobbing right?”
The performance nabbed Irwin 35 out of 40, his highest score of the season so far and left judge Hough speechless with emotion. “The world needs the Irwin family,” he said, choking back tears.
Such is Irwin’s popularity, his DWTS dance partner, Witney Carson, has had to screen his DMs because he is being inundated with so many messages from admirers that he can’t keep up with them all.
“Girls, I love ya, thank you for the applications through somehow my email and flooding the DMs,” she wrote in an Instagram Stories post last month.
“If I could line you all up with Robert, I would because you’re all 10/10 perfect cuties,” she said, adding, “We are currently dancing our lives away, so we are unable to respond.”
Although Carson did have a cheeky solution for which show the affable Irwin could make a splash on next.
“Robert for The Bachelor?! Or is this too stressful for me to handle? LOL.”
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Originally published as How Robert Irwin could be Australia's next Hollywood heartthrob
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