Originally appeared on E! Online
Crikey! Dancing With the Stars just announced their first season 34 cast member.
Wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin—the son of the late Steve Irwin and his wife Terri Irwin—is set to join the ABC competition series for its upcoming season, he announced at Disney Entertainment Television’s Get Real Event April 22.
And while the 21-year-old—who recently starred in a Bonds underwear campaign—will be trading in his notable khaki uniform for dancing attire, he’s not the first member of his family to tango onto the show’s dance floor. In fact, Robert’s sister Bindi Irwin took home the Mirrorball Trophy in 2015, winning season 21 alongside partner Derek Hough—a feat she still can’t believe.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Bindi—whose dad Steve Irwin died in 2006 at age 44—told Entertainment Tonight in a joint May 2024 interview with Robert and Terri, telling her brother and mom, “I think you guys would shock yourselves with how good you would be.”
And, in a move possibly hinting at his future, Robert admitted he was interested, adding, “I’d give that a go. Yeah, I’d give it a go. I’d do it.”
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But the new cast member isn’t the only DWTS contestant who worked to turn his goal into reality. Dance pro Rylee Arnold, who placed fourth alongside gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik during season 33, also put her hopes of having Robert on the show into the ether.
“His sister Bindi was on the show,” the 19-year-old told Entertainment Tonight in May, “and I remember watching his sister on the show when I was 8 years old, and I was like, ‘Robert’s like my age.’ I was like, ‘Please he has to be on the show at least one day for me.’”
She added, “Guys, let’s all manifest it together.”
The rest of the season 34 cast will be announced at a later date.
While Robert was eager to join the Dancing With the Stars cast, some stars have turned down the opportunity. Read on to see who all has said no to the show.
Nick Carter
Backstreet Boys Nick Carter finally got to show off his moves in season 21 after years of not being available. “I was approached for like 4 to 5 years in a row,” he tells E! News. “Unfortunately, and fortunately, I was on the road with the Backstreet Boys touring and doing album cycles, so now that I have some time, that we’re in between, I could take the advantage of doing it.”
Bindi Irwin
Bindi Irwin, Australian TV personality and daughter of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, also joined season 21. However, this wasn’t the first time she had the chance to hit the dance floor. “I was approached once before, and I said, oh my goodness!” she tells E! News. “We were in the middle of our Crocodile research trip and it was all happening, so it worked out really well that we were able to join this season, so I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Demi Moore
After her daughter Rumer Willis won season 20 of DWTS, with her mom in the audience at almost every taping, Moore was close to joining the season 21 cast, sources told E! News, but she decided to turn down the offer.
Caitlyn Jenner
Lindsay Lohan
The Mean Girls star was reportedly approached to do the show back in season 16 but said no.
Paula Deen
The controversial celeb chef had previously turned down the chance to dance two times before finally joining the cast in season 21, as E! News exclusively reported.
“They did ask me,” she told Extra in 2010, “and I said no.”
Tiffani Thiessen
Though several of her former Saved By the Bell co-stars have competed, Thiessen declined DWTS‘ offer. “I’ve been asked a few times,” she once told The Huffington Post, “but my response to that is that I am an actor, not a dancer.”
Bobby Flay
Paula Deen isn’t the only celeb chef DWTS has courted. Flay said he also turned down the show, with the Food Network star once explaining to Zagat that he didn’t want to “be known as that guy on Dancing with the Stars.” Another reason? “My wife told me that she would divorce me if I did it.” (He and ex-wife Stephanie March have since divorced.)
Geraldo Rivera
While sources told E! he said no to DWTS, he said yes to appearing on Celebrity Apprentice.
Kirstie Alley
Though she went on to become a fan-favorite in the ballroom, the now-late actress originally said no to DWTS, tweeting she was “too chicken.”
Gayle King
The CBS This Morning host and Oprah Winfrey‘s BFF turned the the show down not once, not twice, but THREE times. “I think it’s good to keep my public humiliation to a minimum,” she told US Weekly. “I would never want to embarrass my children ever…or myself! I can’t dance.”
Ricky Shroder
DWTS producers called in a favor to Alfonso when it came to the NYPD Blue star, asking the former champ to find out if he would join the show. Too bad it didn’t work, as Ribeiro told E! News, his pal said, “Eh, I don’t dance!”
Jamie Lee Curtis
The Oscar winner has vowed to never do the show. BUT she did admit there is a way they could possibly get her to join. “I’ll tell you how I would do Dancing With the Stars,” she once told E! News. “If they gave me a million dollars to give to charity…I would only do it if there was a big charity component. “
Queen Latifah
“No truth to the rumors of me doing Dancing With the Stars,” Queen Latifah tweeted back in 2011. “Love the show though so I’ll be watching just like you!” However, the Grammy winner has been a guest performer on the show.
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