Robert Irwin Honors Dad Steve by Wearing His Shirt Before Every DWTS Performance
Robert Irwin is open about his emotions.
On Sunday, November 16, Irwin, 21, shared his pre-show rituals on TikTok, as he competes in season 34 of Dancing With the Stars.
“On show days for Dancing With the Stars, I carry two lucky charms with me. They connect me to home and what matters most,” he revealed, mentioning a green button-up shirt that belonged to his late father, Steve Irwin, and a gold ring.
“This shirt was my dad’s,” Robert smiled. “I discovered it while going through his belongings. It’s quite worn out, with holes and missing buttons,” he explained, turning around to display the well-loved garment.
Robert mentioned he had the shirt “restored” by replacing the buttons and mending the tears.
“I love that it still holds his essence. This shirt has seen so much. It perfectly reflects how dad lived his life,” he expressed.
@robertirwin Part 1 – How I take a little piece of home into the ballroom on show day @Dancing with the Stars DWTS ❤️
The wildlife conservationist shared that every morning before a show, he wears the button-up for his and Witney Carson’s “first rehearsal” of the day.
“It helps me feel connected to home and to him. It feels like a big hug,” Robert added. “Every time I step into the ballroom, I honor my dad’s legacy, my home, my family.”
On Monday, November 17, Robert talked about his second good luck charm—a gold ring that is incredibly meaningful to him.
“While cleaning out my dad’s office, I found a set of keys from our childhood home,” he shared. “I melted those keys down and transformed them into a ring.”
Focusing on the details, Robert highlighted the engravings that read “1638,” which represents the Australia Zoo’s address at 1638 Steve Irwin Way.
He revealed that he wears the ring every Tuesday morning before heading to the Dancing With the Stars studio.
“It’s an incredible experience, and I want him to be part of it. This journey has truly transformed my life. I know I wouldn’t be here without him and the legacy I get to uphold,” Robert shared.
Recently, Robert’s sister, Bindi Irwin—who won season 21 of DWTS—joined him for his foxtrot performance to “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis. They honored Steve, who passed away in 2006 from a stingray injury, with an emotional tribute. At the conclusion of the routine, family photos were projected onto the dance floor, bringing Robert to tears. Bindi, 27, and Witney, 32, consoled him before the judges revealed their scores, which included a perfect score.
Dancing With the Stars airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
