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Bindi Irwin, who is paired with Derek Hough for the new season of Dancing With the Stars, poses with a python at their first meeting.
Someone’s excited for Season 21 of Dancing With the Stars! Pro Derek Hough is returning to the ballroom bash, and he is super enthusiastic — to put it mildly — about hoofing it with animal activist Bindi Irwin.
Now 46, the former swimsuit model told Larry King in May 2009 that she had gained a pound a year for the past 25 years. “Weight is a symptom of something that needs to change in your life,” she said.
The dancer, 30, shared a sweet black and white Instagram pic of the two together with some very sweet words on Wednesday, Sept. 2. “Meet my new amazing partner @bindisueirwin,” he captioned the image. “This girl’s energy and lust for life is incredible. Her passion for wildlife is second to none. She’s on a mission to make a difference on our planet and now it’s my job to turn this Wildlife Warrior into a dancer. Let’s go BINDI!!!”
The pair will compete together for the Mirror Ball Trophy in the 21st season of Dancing With The Stars
The new dancing partners finally met for the first time on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at The Wildlife Learning Centre in Los Angeles after the latest cast was announced. Irwin showed off her special touch with animals by posing with a python, which she also helped Hough handle.
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough meet for the first time at The Wildlife Learning Centre
But when it comes to the ballroom, it’s Hough who’s got the skills. If anyone can turn a non-dancer into a serious contender for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, it’s the five-time champ, who also boasts an Emmy for his choreography on DWTS.
Her competition better be ready, because Bindi has already started preparing for the competition. On Saturday, she shared a selfie on Twitter of herself in the rehearsal studio.
Other stars participating in Season 21 include Paula Deen, who is paired with Louis van Amstel; Kim Zolciak, whose pro is Tony Dovolani; Tamar Braxton, who’ll be dancing with last season’s champ, Val Chmerkovskiy; Nick Carter, who’s with Sharna Burgess; and more.
Dancing With the Stars kicks off on Monday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
