They grow up so fast! Bindi Irwin, the 15-year-old daughter of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, was nearly unrecognizable when she hit the red carpet at the Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts (AACTA) Awards in Sydney on Thursday, Jan. 30.
The Australia Zoo conservationist, who turns 16 in July, looked all grown up and glam in a short, black-and-white floral dress, which she paired with black motorcycle boots. Her long blonde hair hung in waves past her shoulders, and she had on just a hint of shimmery eye shadow.
Bindi has matured into quite an impressive young lady in recent years. After her father's September 2006 death — he died at age 44 when he was pierced in the chest by a sting ray — she took on his legacy as her own, venturing into TV, movies, and conservation efforts. (She previously appeared on her dad's show, The Crocodile Hunter.)
In 2010, she appeared in the straight-to-DVD release Free Willy: Escape From Pirate's Cove, followed by 2013's Return to Nim's Island. She also starred in her own TV show, Bindi: The Jungle Girl, and co-created a Bindi Wildlife Adventures book series.
In December, the teen took to Twitter to reflect on how far she'd come and how much she'd experienced. "Celebrating the last day of 2013, what an amazing year we've had. So excited to welcome 2014 for even more adventures," she tweeted. "2014. I'm ready! A year of happiness and making a difference in the world."
