Robert Irwin discovered his natural talent on “Dancing With the Stars,” but the show has helped him with more than just learning dance steps. The Australian conservationist shared how “DWTS” has also healed him on his grief journey after the passing of his dad, Steve Irwin.

Robert Irwin Shares How ‘DWTS’ Has Helped Him Process Grief

During a November 2025 interview with “Chicks in the Office,” Irwin shared the impact of his “Dancing With the Stars” experience.

“For the first time ever, this experience has been a way to find this avenue to feel and express emotions from my own grief journey that I’ve never been able to truly embrace before and I certainly haven’t embraced publicly,” Irwin explained.

He continued, “But I really, really strongly wanted to make this an opportunity to let everything go, let the guard down completely, and sit in that sense of vulnerability. Because I think, particularly my mom, showed me what it is to be strong and how much strength there is in vulnerability and the fact that it’s okay to cry, to let it all out.”

“And I just hope for anyone, particularly any young people watching, who have experienced that loss to see that and to see I’m not alone,” he noted.

Irwin added, “It’s really hard sometimes, but what defines you is how you just keep moving forward.”

He credited his partner, Witney Carson, for choreography that has helped with his healing. “For me, that dance that we did on Tuesday night was very healing. And I’m so grateful that I had my sister and my family there,” the “DWTS” celebrity noted. “I’m grateful I could represent what my dad was about because really I’m here to continue his legacy.”

“I was also very grateful that Witney created this choreography and created an avenue to truly heal a part of myself that I think wanted to be healed for a long time,” Irwin added.

Irwin Keeps Dad Steve Irwin Close With Meaningful ‘DWTS’ Good Luck Charms

Irwin recently shared how he brings a reminder of his dad along with him on every show day.

On November 17, Irwin took to Instagram to share the good luck charms he wears every week. “These two things are a way to keep me close to home and to what’s most important to me — this ring and this shirt,” he said.

“This is my dad’s shirt. I was going through his stuff and I found this shirt,” Irwin explained. “It’s absolutely tattered and had holes and all sorts in it, missing buttons. So I went and got it all fixed up … new buttons attached, everything all patched back up again and all of the holes repaired.”

He continued, “I like that it still looks and feels like him. Each one of the tears and the holes and the missing buttons tells another story. And this shirt definitely saw a lot. I guess it’s kind of a good example for how Dad lived his life, at 100%.”

Irwin explained, “So before you guys see my dance in costume, I’ve always done that dance at least once in Dad’s shirt. It just keeps me close to home. It keeps me close to him. It just feels like a big hug every time I put it on.”

He added, “Every time I step out into the ballroom, I represent my message, my dad’s legacy, my home, my family. It is such an honor to get to do that.”

Irwin’s ring is made from the melted down keys from his childhood home and engraved with ‘1638,” the Australia Zoo’s address, located at 1638 Steve Irwin Way.