Robert Irwin delivered the best performance of the night during Tuesday’s DWTS season premiere. (Photo credit: Dancing With The Stars/Instagram)

Dancing With The Stars Season 34 premiered Tuesday night (September 16), and fan favorite Robert Irwin performed one of the most talked-about dances of the night.

Robert Irwin, son of late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, is following in his sister Bindi’s footsteps by joining the cast of Dancing With The Stars. The 21-year-old Aussie zookeeper is partnered with professional dancer Whitney Carson for the season and hopes to take the coveted mirrorball trophy back Down Under.

During Tuesday night’s season premiere, Irwin and his partner delivered a lively jive choreographed to Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild.” Robert donned his signature khakis for the dance. But, unlike his work khakis, his dance costume featured a rip-away shirt that Irwin tore off mid-dance, revealing a jungle print shirt that matched Whitney’s dress.

Robert Irwin made his Dancing With The Stars debut alongside his professional partner, Whitney Carson. (Photo credit: Dancing With The Stars/Instagram)
Judge Derek Hough praised Robert and Whitney’s performance, saying, “That was the best first dance I have ever seen on this show.” Bruno Tonioli agreed, saying, “That wasn’t good, Robert. It was great!”

Robert and his partner ended the night tied for first place! While there will be no elimination this week, the judges’ scores combined with public votes will carry over to next week when the first team will be sent home.

Robert’s sister, Bindi, the Season 21 champion, watched from the audience with her daughter, Grace, husband, Chandler, and his mom, Terri.

Robert Irwin said that being on Dancing With The Stars is fulfilling a childhood dream.

Robert was only 11 years old when his sister, Bindi, won the show. “I remember being a little kid coming into the ballroom, every live show, watching Bindi is such awe,” Robert recalled. “She talked about this experience as being the closest she ever came to flying. And now to be here a decade later, it is such an honor.”

Irwin faces life-or-death decisions on a regular basis with his job at the Australia Zoo, but he admitted that the task ahead of him on Dancing With The Stars is much more frightening. “I’ve never done anything like this. I’m terrified … in a good way.”

Robert Irwin is one of fourteen celebrities cast to compete on Season 34 of Dancing With The Stars. Joining him on the floor are singer Lauren Jauregui, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, Traitors winner Dylan Efron, Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying, reality stars Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, comedian Andy Richter, NBA All-Star Baron Davis, actresses Danielle Fishel and Elaine Hendrix, former child star Corey Feldman, Alec Baldwin’s wife Hilaria, and social media influencer Alix Earle.