'Dancing With the Stars' Season 21: Bindi Irwin Revealed as First Celebrity Contestant
— -- The world knows Bindi Irwin as the daughter of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, but the 17-year-old could soon be best known as “Dancing With the Stars” champion.
Irwin was announced today as the first celebrity contestant to join the cast for the ABC reality TV competition’s 21st season.
"This is completely different to anything I have ever done in my life," said Irwin, who described herself as "honored" to compete on the show. "I am used to wrangling crocodiles."
"I actually just got back from our annual crocodile research trip," she said. "About four days ago I was in far north Queensland catching crocs and now here I am in New York City, about to be in LA."
Irwin was just 8-years-old when her father died in a stingray attack off the coast of Australia. She currently lives with her mother, Teri, and younger brother, Robert, on the grounds of the Australia Zoo, which the family owns.
Irwin, who will relocate temporarily to Los Angeles during the show, says she will rely on her family for support, especially against the "Dancing" judges, whom she fears most.
"I’m quite nervous about this," Irwin said of taking a spin on "Dancing." "I have to tell you though, the judges scare me more than crocodiles."
"They are so knowledgeable. They’re supreme athletes," she said. "I’m just this girl from Australia who’s used to crocs so give me a 15-foot crocodile any day."
Irwin has stayed in the spotlight since her father’s death, co-creating a book series, "Bindi Wildlife Adventures," starring in two films and multiple TV shows focused on wildlife and conservation efforts.
The teenager also already knows how dance - she has her own dance troupe, "The Jungle Girls," and has danced in a kids' fitness video - but is not sure those moves will earn her "10s" on the dance floor.
"It’s all about having the courage and strength and, for me, it is something completely different but I hope that I am able to inspire others in their own lives to seize opportunity and to make a difference and just jump, take that leap, even if it terrifies you," Irwin said.
"I just hope my dance partner, whoever it is, is very patient and likes animals, because you never know what I’m going to bring to rehearsal," she added.
Irwin, who has revealed publicly that she is dating “someone special," also revealed what viewers might be seeing when it comes to her ballroom costumes.
"I’m used to khaki and boots and I think it will always be a part of my life," Irwin said of her zoo-friendly attire. "We always say khaki is not just a color it’s an attitude. It’s a part of who we here."
"You can’t climb a tree or wrangle a snake in a dress very easily so this is completely different," she said.
The stars Irwin will compete against will be announced over the next two weeks.
The full lineup of pro dancers, which includes past mirror ball champions Derek Hough, Mark Ballas and Karina Smirnoff, for Season 21 was announced last week.
The new season of “DWTS” premieres at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 14, on ABC.
