Robert Irwin Shakes Up ‘Dancing With The Stars’, Even Without A Top Score (And Steals The Show With A Surprise Casting Reveal)

This week on Dancing With the Stars, Robert Irwin may not have scored the highest, but that didn’t stop him from stealing the show. The 21-year-old Aussie wildlife conservationist and television presenter pulled out all the stops in the ballroom. He channelled his inner Disney with a cha-cha to the soundtrack of Zootopia’s ‘Try Everything.’

Irwin embraced the cha-cha with a zest for life that was a bit sillier and more freewheeling than his previous performances. The animal expert danced with a loose-limbed swagger and hipped his way around the floor, charming viewers at home and on social media. The moves may have landed Irwin in the headlines, but it’s the confidence he’s gained on the dance floor that’s really got fans excited. Judge Derek Hough took note, telling Robert he had an “Irwin aura.” Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli were kind in their feedback and offered some constructive advice about fluidity and connecting the dance’s different parts. The judges gave Irwin’s routine a 22 out of 30, a solid score that won’t leave Irwin and partner Witney Carson in jeopardy.

As much as fans were thrilled by Irwin’s dance, the 21-year-old was equally excited about the news he shared before the performance. Irwin announced he is an official member of the cast of Zootopia 2. He will be voicing a character named Robert Furwin, an adorable koala. “I just got to watch my scene in the movie,” he said. “I can’t wait for everyone to see it, it’s such a dream come true.”

Irwin performed the cha-cha in honor of his late father Steve Irwin saying he wanted the dance to reflect his father’s passion for life. The choreography hearkened to Irwin’s childhood without being too on-the-nose. It’s not surprising Robert Irwin can steal the spotlight without having the highest score on Dancing With the Stars. He’s a glass-is-always-half-full kind of guy, and his infectious energy and upbeat personality are irresistible. Add in some killer hips and his new Disney gig, and Irwin is turning the show into his own whirlwind adventure.