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Bindi Irwin: My Dad Steve Irwin Was a Terrible Dancer, I Learned How to Be Sexy From Animals

Bindi Irwin
Bindi Irwin spoke affectionately about her late dad, Steve Irwin, on DWTS on Monday, Oct. 26, telling Us Weekly that he "was known for a lot of things but dancing was not one of them."

He was not a dancing dad! Dancing With the Stars front-runner Bindi Irwin spoke affectionately about her late dad, Steve Irwin, on the set of the ABC smash show on Monday, Oct. 26, telling Us Weekly and other reporters that Derek Hough has really helped her out.

“I said before, [but] my mom told me he didn’t even dance at their wedding,” the wildlife conservationist, 17, told Us backstage. “Dad was not known for dancing. Dad was known for a lot of things but dancing was not one of them.”

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Irwin went into DWTS convinced that she inherited her father’s (lack of) dancing skills. Thankfully, she got paired with five-time Mirrorball champ Hough.

“I feel really blessed to be a part of this,” Irwin reflected. “I signed up knowing I was such a bad dancer… It’s a testament to how Derek is as a teacher, as a big brother, as a friend for life. I think that honestly, you’ve got to credit him with any of this.”

Steve Irwin and Bindi Irwin
Steve Irwin and Bindi Irwin

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The two were awarded yet another perfect 30 on Monday’s episode. According to Irwin, her mission has been to master the challenge. “It’s trying to push yourself and trying to get as much out of yourself as possible, and seeing what you’re capable of,” Irwin reflected. “Honestly, I arrive in the studio each day knowing that I’m going to laugh so hard that my sides will hurt by the end of the day. So, every day is amazing because I’m just having the time of my life.”

Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough

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Hough, 30, was equally enamored with his dance partner. “This little angel faced demon child was amazing,” he joked. “I say, ‘Hey, you need to be fierce.’ I said the word ‘sexy’ and that made me feel uncomfortable saying that to Bindi honestly.”

According to Hough, talent is only one component of success. “More importantly, she embodies the character — it could be sweet, it could be emotional, it could be fierce. I don’t teach that,” he explained. “That’s the thing — I can teach her so many things but the performance. That’s something from her soul that you can’t even hope for. The fact that she comes out and does that? I’m so amazed.”

Irwin joked that she learned how to be fierce and sexy from… animals.

“Before we did this, I was just thinking about animals that really have that trait about them,” she recalled. “That you just look at them and go, ‘There’s something about them that is just so inspiring and captivates you!’ So when you think about those animals, it’s tigers and birds of prey. When you see sharks move, there’s something about them. Have you ever looked into a shark’s eyes? No joke! They have the coolest eyes! And it’s that essence about them that is so beautiful.”

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