Up for any challenge! Bindi Irwin has undeniably inherited her late father Steve Irwin’s adventurous spirit, and in a recent interview, the Dancing With the Stars competitor revealed that she’s willing to go outside her comfort zone, no matter the pain.
“They said, ‘We’re going to put you in these heels,’ and I don’t think they realized that I had never worn heels before so I stood up and instantly fell down,” the bubbly 17-year-old told Entertainment Tonight on Thursday, Sept. 3. “Yeah, it was a good start to a great adventure.”
Women competing on the show usually wear special dance heels for the ballroom dance competition.
The Aussie teen is partnered with pro Derek Hough for Season 21 of the hit reality dancing competition, and Irwin had nothing but praise for “the greatest teacher on planet Earth.”
“I walked into this whole new adventure having no concept what I was going to do — I had the passion in my soul, but you really don’t know what to expect,” she said. “Derek was so good at putting my mind at ease and we’ve been taking it one piece at a time.”
Hough currently holds the record for most Mirrorball trophies, with a record five wins.
Late last month, Irwin — who has her own Netflix series, Bindi’s Bootcamp — opened up to Good Morning America about how this challenge is forcing her to face some of her biggest fears.
“I am used to wrangling crocodiles,” she said. “It’s all about having the courage and strength, and for me, it is something completely different but I hope that I am able to inspire others in their own lives to seize opportunity and to make a difference and just jump, take that leap, even if it terrifies you.”
Irwin and Hough, 30, have already dubbed their team Team Crikey, in honor of Irwin’s father, who was best known as beloved TV personality, the Crocodile Hunter.
Tune into the premiere of Dancing With the Stars on Monday, Sept. 14 on ABC at 8 p.m. EST.
