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Robert Irwin didn’t leave much to the imagination in his recent photoshoot alongside some friendly reptiles.
The 21-year-old son of the late conservationist Steve Irwin modelled Australian underwear brand Bonds, and posed with a perentie lizard in his arms, and a snake wrapped around his bare torso.
While the world’s jaws dropped at the photoshoot, Robert said he didn’t hesitate to say yes, in an effort to bring the Australian brand to the US.
‘I wish I could say I was very suave and cool about the whole thing, but I was like, ‘”Yes! Let’s do it!”‘ the conservationist and TV star told People, who held the photoshoot.
‘I’m at this point in my life where I’m trying to do as many different and random exciting things, and if it’s something that makes me a little bit nervous, that I’ve never done before and it’s a bit of an adrenaline rush? That’s what I want to be doing.’
Fans were in bits at the steamy photoshoot, with many taking to social media to share their thoughts.
‘I’M GOING INSANE,’ said Jenna on X, as @Pearla_BW said: ‘I’m literally screaming like what? Are these real?!?’
‘Realising who this was SENT ME,’ said Kyle Borland, while Brendan said: ‘I’m SPEECHLESS GOOD GOD.’
Many will also be happy to hear Robert is open to dates, as he said: ‘I’m single. It’s funny, I’m at this point in my life where I’m like, I’m so open to that, but I’m just waiting for the stars to align.’
He hopes to meet his future partner at the wildlife sanctury, just like his sister Bindi, 26, did with her husband Chandler. Sweetly, his mum Terri and dad also met when she visited the zoo 34 years ago.
‘In both instances, there were American tourists that were coming over and visiting the zoo. So I’m waiting. I’m waiting for that American tourist to come into the zoo and for it all to happen!’ he said.
Making a name for himself in the TV industry, Robert is currently hosting the Australian version of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here alongside comedian Julia Morris.
Robert is certainly no stranger to living life on the edge, as he’s followed in his father’s footsteps by getting up close to some dangerous beasts – including some mighty crocs – at Australia Zoo.
He hopes to continue his father’s legacy of saving animals most people would run a mile from.
The conservationist also operates non-profit charity Wildlife Warriors from the zoo base, while leading daily demonstrations with his crocs – which like his father, known as The Crocodile Hunter, are his favourite animals.
Most of the spiders, lizards and snakes Robert posed with were venomous, but he didn’t seem to mind.
‘I mean, I’ve spent my life wrangling crocs and snakes and rescuing animals,’ he said.
‘And so to feature a little slice of that excitement in this new campaign, mate, it has been so much fun.
‘I mean, I’m surrounded by spiders and snakes except [this time] I’m in my undies. That’s the only difference.’
As for the fear factor, Robert would take wrangling a croc any day over getting his kit off.
In preparation for the shoot, Robert cut down on carbs and did a few more sit-ups than usual, but his life in the Australian bush saving crocodiles means he’s got pretty good upper body strength.
Steven died after he was pierced in the chest by a stingray barb on September 4, 2006 while filming for one of his popular nature programmes.
His career led him to be nicknamed ‘The Crocodile Hunter’, the name of his first TV show, though it was never his express intention to harm animals.
He aimed to spread awareness of the importance of animal and environment conservation by communicating his boundless enthusiasm for nature.
Now Robert is following suit.
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