The moment everything changed for Robert Irwin

After years of being known only as the adorable, khaki-clad, younger brother to Bindi, overnight Robert Irwin was transformed into an international heart-throb.

It was the moment that changed everything for the youngest member of Australia’s most famous family.

After years of Robert Irwin being known only as the adorable, khaki-clad, younger brother to Bindi and son of the late Steve Irwin and his mother Terri, overnight the then 18-year-old was transformed into an international heart-throb.

Long before he would send TikTok into a frenzy clad in little more than a python and his undies, Robert was a little boy who loved to feed the animals at the family’s Australia Zoo with his father and sister in the morning before the visitors were let in.

Robert celebrating his 2nd birthday at Australia Zoo with Steve, Terri and Bindi. Photo: Lou O'Brien

Terri, Bindi and Robert annoucing they have a new baby rhino and one of their giraffe's is pregnant. Picture: Brett Wortman / Sunshine Coast Daily

A conservationist like his dad - who passed away in 2006 when Robert was three - he spent his teen years managing the Zoo with his mum and Bindi (as well as her husband Chandler), and also appeared on late night chat shows in the US to raise animal awareness.

But it was July 2022 when Robert starred in his fist ever fashion photo shoot for Sunday’s most read magazine, Stellar.

Wearing shirts that showed off his buff arms and sporting a James Dean-esque smoulder, the then 18-year-old’s glow-up shocked those who had watched him grow up before their very eyes.

Social media still hasn’t recovered from this Stellar cover. Picture: Stellar/Christopher Ferguson

The internet lost its collective minds after the Stellar cover was published, likening Robert to a long-lost Hemsworth brother.

“Ohhh ROBERT IRWIN is fine!!!! I will finally admit I have a raging crush on him,” one commenter said in a sentiment that was widely echoed in the following days.

“Robert Irwin needs to calm down with his growing up,” wrote another.

“I saw this and I felt like Mrs. Robinson and immediately was embarrassed for myself,” one commenter wrote, which summed up how many “older” Aussies were feeling.

Media outlets the world over picked up the images, which quickly went viral.

The world was stunned. Picture: Stellar/Christopher Ferguson

Long-lost Hemsworth brother? Picture: Stellar/Christopher Ferguson

Sarrah Le Marquand, who was editor-in-chief of Stellar at the time, explained that while the images and accompanying story proved to be an overnight transformation for Robert’s public image, the actual undertaking of the shoot was several months in the making.

“Having grown up in the glare of the spotlight – he was only one month old when he made headlines around the world while being cradled by his father as he fed a crocodile – he was understandably cautious about what the reaction might be to him being portrayed in a way he had never been seen before,” Le Marquand, now Head of Entertainment at News Corp Australia, said.

“Once he decided the time was right and agreed to the cover concept, we flew the Stellar crew to shoot on location at his family’s Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast where fashion editor Irene Tsolakas worked her trademark magic, along with photographer Christopher Ferguson.”

The recent Bonds campaign. You’re welcome. Picture: Instagram

Behind the Scenes images of Robert Irwin promoting Bonds underwear in the US. Picture: Supplied

Tsolakas said the James Dean effect was very much what she was after. “The vibe was cool, effortless and reminiscent of old-school Hollywood. We wanted Robert to have his moment. He had come of age and into his own, and he was ready to step out of the shadow of his family.”

“At 18, it very much was a sign that he was keen to forge his own path, and was the first indication of the Robert Irwin we know today,” said Le Marquand. “The Stellar cover not only had the internet swooning, it caught the eye of television executives and international brands and saw his career begin to take on a whole new direction.”

His second Stellar cover. Picture: Stellar/Robbie Fimmano

Strike a pose. Picture: Stellar/Robbie Fimmano

What followed was modelling gigs, a very well-received role as co-host of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! alongside Julia Morris, another internet-breaking Stellar shoot when he turned 21, and THAT recent Bonds ad.

And, this week, the TV presenter has only just announced he will be following in Bindi’s footsteps to appear on the US version of Dancing With The Stars.

With I’m a Celeb co-host Julia Morris. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Bare-chested and holding a python at the DWTS announcement in the States. Picture: Cristian Lopez/Disney via Getty Images

“This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid watching my sister’s incredible journey on the show back in 2016,” he wrote on Instagram, with a video showing him making the announcement bare-chested and a snake over his neck.

“I cannot believe it is about to become a reality. So grateful.”

Originally published as The moment everything changed for Robert Irwin