Robert Irwin isn’t just dancing his way through the glittering chaos of Dancing With the Stars – he’s carrying his father’s spirit with him, one threadbare shirt at a time. The 21-year-old Australian conservationist and TV host, son of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, has turned a simple pre-show ritual into a powerful tribute that’s got fans tearing up and judges nodding in approval. Every Tuesday morning, before stepping into the Los Angeles ballroom for live tapings, Irwin slips on a repaired version of his dad’s old khaki shirt – the same one that saw Steve wrestle crocs, charm snakes, and chase adventure across the Outback. “It feels like a big hug every time I put it on,” Irwin shared in an exclusive chat with People, his voice cracking just a bit as he described the worn fabric that still smells faintly of sunscreen and wild frontiers.

The ritual kicked off back in September 2025, when Irwin made his surprise U.S. debut on the long-running ABC competition, partnered with pro dancer Witney Carson. At 21, Irwin was no stranger to the spotlight – he’s been co-hosting his family’s Wildlife Warriors show Crikey! It’s the Irwins since he was a kid, wrangling rescues at Australia Zoo and dropping viral TikToks about croc safety. But DWTS? That’s a whole new jungle. Trading khaki shorts for sequined vests and scales for samba steps, Irwin dove in headfirst, channeling his dad’s fearless energy into routines that blend Aussie grit with Hollywood polish. His Week 1 foxtrot to “Waltzing Matilda” – performed in full Crocodile Hunter cosplay, complete with a stuffed croc prop – earned straight 8s from the judges and a standing ovation from the crowd. “You’re not just dancing; you’re storytelling,” gushed Carrie Ann Inaba, wiping away a tear.

But behind the scores and spotlights lies the quiet anchor: Steve’s shirt. Irwin stumbled on it while rummaging through his late father’s belongings a few years back – a battered button-up riddled with holes from thorn bushes, tears from close calls with wildlife, and missing buttons from endless washes in the bush. “This is my dad’s shirt,” Irwin explained, holding it up in a behind-the-scenes Instagram Reel that racked up 2.5 million views overnight. “It’s absolutely tattered and had holes and all sorts in it… So I went and got it all fixed up. New buttons attached. Everything all patched back up again.” The repairs were deliberate: enough to make it wearable, but not so much that it lost its battle scars. “Each one of the tears and holes and missing buttons tells another story,” he added. “And this shirt definitely saw a lot. I guess it’s a good example for how Dad lived his life: At 100%.”

Steve Irwin’s death in 2006 – killed by a stingray barb at just 44, when Robert was only 2 – left a void that’s echoed through the Irwin empire. Terri Irwin, Robert’s mom and Steve’s widow, has kept the family business roaring with her no-nonsense conservation ethos and three kids who embody their dad’s wild heart. Bindi, Robert’s big sister, snagged a Daytime Emmy for her own wildlife series and married Chandler Powell in a croc-filled ceremony at the zoo. Little sis Grace Warrior, born in 2021, is already a mini-adventurer, splashing in enclosures with the best of ’em. But for Robert, stepping into DWTS felt like a leap across a croc-filled river – exposing vulnerability in a world far from the safety of zoo gates. “Every time I step out into the ballroom, I represent my message, my dad’s legacy, my home, my family,” he said. “It is such an honor to get to do that.”

The shirt isn’t Irwin’s only talisman. Tucked on his finger is a custom ring forged from old keys to the family home, engraved with “1638” – the numeric nod to 1638 Steve Irwin Way, the address of Australia Zoo. “I put it on every Tuesday morning when I go in for the Dancing with the Stars live taping,” he revealed. “It’s the most beautiful experience. And in some way, I want him part of it. Because this experience has truly changed my life.” That change? It’s palpable. From a lanky teen more at home with emus than encores, Irwin’s transformed into a poised performer who’s held his own against Olympians and soap stars. His Week 5 jive to AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” – a cheeky twist on Aussie rock roots – scored 26/30, with Bruno Tonioli yelling, “Crikey, mate! You’re a dancing dingo!” By Week 8 in October, his contemporary routine honoring Steve’s conservation work pushed him into the semifinals, blending hip-hop flair with heartfelt lifts that had Carson beaming.

Family’s been his pit crew from the jump. Terri flew in for the premiere, snapping a photo of Robert in the shirt and captioning it on Instagram: “I love that you are wearing your dad’s shirt.” Bindi’s been live-tweeting from Down Under, her posts like “Proud doesn’t cover it, little bro – Dad’s cheering louder than anyone!” racking up likes from fellow celebs like Chris Hemsworth. Even Chandler’s gotten in on it, posting a gym selfie with Robert captioned “Training for the Irwin takeover of Hollywood.” And the fans? They’ve turned #IrwinShirt into a movement, sharing their own “good luck charms” – from grandma’s locket to grandpa’s watch – in a wave of feel-good solidarity that’s boosted DWTS ratings by 15% this season, per Nielsen.

As semifinals heat up in late November 2025, Irwin’s not slowing down. Teasers for Week 10 hint at a freestyle fusing Latin heat with wildlife flair, maybe even a live croc cameo via video link from the zoo. Judges have praised his growth: “You’ve gone from gawky gazelle to graceful gazelle,” quipped Derek Hough after a paso doble that evoked a charging rhino. Offstage, Irwin’s using the platform to plug conservation – partnering with the show for a “Dance for the Planet” episode that raised $500K for endangered species funds. “I’ll often come across archive footage that I haven’t seen before,” he mused. “And all of a sudden, his memory just starts flooding back. So it’s weird that decades later, after losing someone when I was 2 years old, I almost have an even greater picture of the person he was.”

In a season stacked with redemption arcs – from soap divas to sports heroes – Irwin’s story cuts deepest. He’s not chasing a Mirrorball Trophy for glory; it’s for the dad he’ll never forget, the one whose shirt still whispers “Charge on, son.” “I know I wouldn’t be here without him and his legacy that I get to continue,” Irwin said, folding the shirt carefully after a recent rehearsal. As the finale looms on December 9, with Irwin polling as a frontrunner alongside pros like Carson, one thing’s clear: Steve Irwin’s influence isn’t just in the genes – it’s in the grooves, the spins, and that lucky, love-worn shirt. In the Irwin world, danger’s always around the corner, but so is family. And on this dance floor, that’s the real thrill of the hunt.