Robert Irwin reveals the hard work that’s gone into his Dancing With the Stars preparation

Back in the spotlight for Dancing With the Stars, Robert Irwin says the path to the ballroom has been utterly gruelling. The 21-year-old is all about juggling choreography, performance, and live competition. He is a famous advocate for wildlife conservation and animal welfare. What makes it all the more fascinating is the stark contrast of his usual job outdoors to centre-stage at DWTS.

Robert has been open about his lack of dance expertise, despite the fact that his sister Bindi once dominated the stage and took home the mirrorball prize. As a result, he had to start rehearsals from scratch and quickly master timing, rhythm, and confidence. Long practice sessions' physical toll and the pressure of live performances have forced him to step outside of his comfort zone.

Nevertheless, Robert has accepted the task with open arms. By adapting to Witney Carson's rigorous training regimen and relying on his family's support, he is demonstrating that commitment can close the gap between inexperience and real performance improvement.

Behind the scenes of Robert Irwin’s Dancing With the Stars journey

For Robert Irwin, transitioning from conservationist to performer wasn't easy. He had to begin Dancing With the Stars with no actual training, endure exhausting practices, and deal with the pressure of the crowd. But what's remarkable is how fast he's adjusted. Even in the beginning, Robert saw every practice as a challenge to his fortitude, and every success made the fatigue worthwhile.

Starting from scratch

Witney Carson, Robert's companion, was surprised to learn that Robert had started his rehearsal process with no preparation. He acknowledged that, except for the knowledge that his sister Bindi had cleared the path years earlier, he had not rehearsed a single step before going on set. However, that lack of preparation served as motivation, causing him to pick up skills quickly.

In his own words, “It blew away every single expectation I ever had.”

He clarified that although the challenge was more difficult, quicker, and demanding than he had anticipated, the intensity also made any minor progress feel like a victory.

Robert attacked every rehearsal with resolve, despite his unsteady beginnings. Although he had a visual blueprint from watching Bindi's previous performances, he was nonetheless struck by how much work it takes to achieve on Dancing With the Stars after witnessing the perspiration and stress firsthand.

The emotional & physical strain

Managing the nerves and fatigue has been more difficult than the technical moves alone. The amount of strength required for ballroom dancing often left Robert exhausted after rehearsals. The pressure was, however, lessened by the support system surrounding him.

Dancing With the Stars star revealed that sister Bindi reminded him, “Take a breath and enjoy every single second of it.”

That counsel served as a compass, telling him to enjoy the journey rather than being paralyzed by his dread of making mistakes.

Robert also attributed his motivation to Witney Carson's support. Her faith in his abilities enabled him to persevere even when taking action seemed impossible. Rehearsals have been an emotional and physical rollercoaster, but his performances have already benefited from the highs and lows. For Robert, DWTS is no longer just a competition; it’s a personal transformation.

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