Robert Irwin reveals toughest part of hosting DWTS spinoff
Robert Irwin says the toughest part of his life right now is balancing Australia Zoo conservation work with hosting Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro. The Season 34 winner told Entertainment Weekly that juggling his zookeeper day job with DWTS filming has become a job unto itself.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Irwin called balancing Australia Zoo duties with hosting DWTS: The Next Pro "the toughest part of my life at the moment."
- He won DWTS Season 34 with pro partner Witney Carson and now hosts the ABC spinoff.
- The Next Pro premiered July 13, 2026; Irwin confirmed he will dance again with Carson on the show.
- Filming took place near Australia Zoo, where he pulled double duty as host and zookeeper.
What did Robert Irwin say about the toughest part?
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Irwin framed the clash between his booming TV schedule and wildlife work in blunt terms.
"That's the toughest part of my life at the moment," he said of measuring time at the Zoo against hosting and filming.
"It becomes very challenging, trying to measure and balance the time between actually being at the Zoo, doing what I would consider my day job, which is animal conservationist and zookeeper," Irwin explained. "So balancing that with hosting and filming and this Dancing With the Stars world has become a job unto itself."
He still follows his father's conservation legacy and mission, even as the DWTS world expands around him.
Why does hosting The Next Pro matter for Irwin?
Irwin stepped into the host chair after a record-setting Season 34 run with Witney Carson. That win included the highest number of votes and the youngest male winner title, despite a rib injury during the competition.
ABC's Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro puts professional dancers through a contest to become the newest pro on the flagship series. Judges include Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas, plus a rotating guest drawn from DWTS talent.
Irwin first heard about the hosting offer while he was still competing. After a season he called life-changing, the sudden end of filming left him ready for more. When producers asked him to stay in the DWTS family, his reaction was simple: "When do I start?"
He told TV Insider he sees the role as a privilege and wants to mentor dancers who have sacrificed everything for the craft. That hands-on approach fits the tone of our celebrity breaking news coverage of stars juggling fame and purpose.
Will Robert Irwin dance again on The Next Pro?
Yes. Irwin confirmed he will dance on the spinoff and reunite with Witney Carson for an on-screen performance fans can expect during the run.
Production shot in Australia about 45 minutes to an hour from Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast. Irwin joked he lived a "Hannah Montana double life," hosting and then returning to zoo work with no break. Some scenes were filmed at Australia Zoo itself.
The series premiered Monday, July 13, 2026, at 8/7c on ABC. For Irwin, the spotlight is thrilling—but the real grind is still splitting time between the ballroom and the animals he calls his day job.