Derek Hough, Robert Irwin. Photo:
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty; Kat Nijmeddin/Disney via Getty
Derek Hough is teasing what fans can expect from Robert Irwin‘s appearance on Dancing with the Stars!
The DWTS judge, 39, said while attending Disney Entertainment Television’s Get Real Event on Tuesday, April 22, that the newly-announced competitor will certainly be showing off what he’s got on the dancefloor.
“He’s coming with them abs!” Hough tells PEOPLE, adding of Irwin, 21, that the show is “really lucky to have him.”
His comments come after the Australian conservationist also attended the event shirtless with a snake around his neck as he was announced as the first celebrity competitor on season 34 of DWTS on Tuesday.
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Irwin pictured in May 2024. Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Hough says of Irwin joining the show, “It’s been 10 years since that little guy was on that front row rooting for [his sister] Bindi Irwin. And to see the man that he’s become in short 10 years is pretty amazing, man. We’re really lucky to have him.
He shares that he is also excited to see Robert “doing his own thing.”
The conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin is following behind his big sister Bindi, 26, who competed on season 21 of the show with Hough as her partner and won back in 2015.
Hough at Hulu’s Get Real House event in L.A. on April 22. Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty
When it comes to whether or not Robert can live up to his sister’s reputation on the show, Hough, who now serves as a judge on the show, believes he “absolutely” can.
“I think that he, them as a family, they are truly just who they are. What you see is what you get. They are really that kind, they are really that positive, they really do have that energy,” he tells PEOPLE.
“It’s not upfront. And I think that this show, when you are truly authentic in that way, it really pierces through. So I think in that regard, he’s going to go far just based off of the person he is,” says Hough. “Now we can just see the kind of moves he’s got.”
Robert said after it was revealed he would be joining DWTS on Tuesday, “I cannot tell you what a privilege, what an honor it is to be joining this season. I said, ‘One day, that’s gonna be me.’ And now, that dream is a reality and I am over the moon. Let’s do this!”
A full cast of celebrities and pro dancers will be announced at a later date.
