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Why Robert Irwin 'couldn't wait' to leave L.A. after winning 'Dancing with the Stars'


SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Robert Irwin attends the 64th TV WEEK Logie Awards at The Star on August 18, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by James Gourley/Getty Images for TV WEEK Logie Awards)

Robert Irwin wanted to get the heck outta Hollywood!

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Robert Irwin attends the "Nuremberg" premiere during 2025 AFI FEST at TCL Chinese Theater on October 24, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 24: Robert Irwin attends the "Nuremberg" premiere during 2025 AFI FEST at TCL Chinese Theater on October 24, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

The 22-year-old conservationist and recent ballroom champ couldn't stuff the Mirrorball Trophy into his suitcase fast enough.

He triumphed in the 34th season of "Dancing with the Stars" but quickly left Los Angeles to head back into the wild.

Robert flew to South Africa to host the Australian version of "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" in an environment that is far more familiar to him.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 6: Australian conservationist and television presenter Robert Irwin reacts at the 2024 Earthshot Prize awards ceremony on November 6, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.  (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 6: Australian conservationist and television presenter Robert Irwin reacts at the 2024 Earthshot Prize awards ceremony on November 6, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)

He told the West Australian, "I couldn't wait to get out here, actually. Being in LA for the last three months has been wonderful, but I am not a city kid."

Robert added, "I live out in the bush and have grown up there, so it's good to be back where there's a bit of greenery."

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 10: Robert Irwin attends the Steve Irwin gala to support the Wildlife Warriors conservationist organization at Bellagio Resort & Casino on May 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 10: Robert Irwin attends the Steve Irwin gala to support the Wildlife Warriors conservationist organization at Bellagio Resort & Casino on May 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The son of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, Robert, still works at his family's Australia Zoo. However, he admits it is becoming increasingly difficult to combine his conservation work with his showbiz ambitions.

He said, "I want to take on the right projects that can mesh this world of conservation and connect it to a larger audience. I have come to realize that I am a storyteller. That is what I came here to do and I see myself doing the wildlife documentary side of things, 100 percent."

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Robert Irwin attends the 64th TV WEEK Logie Awards at The Star on August 18, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by James Gourley/Getty Images for TV WEEK Logie Awards)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Robert Irwin attends the 64th TV WEEK Logie Awards at The Star on August 18, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by James Gourley/Getty Images for TV WEEK Logie Awards)

Robert elaborated, "But I also see myself hosting more, doing scripted (television). I would love to do other TV shows, and I would love to do movies one day."

Meanwhile, Robert recently wondered if he would be able to find love at the Australia Zoo. The star insists he has "nothing particularly exciting to report" in his love life at present, but hopes Cupid's arrow can strike at the zoo.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 11: (L-R) Robert Irwin, Bindi Irwin and Terri Irwin attend the Steve Irwin gala to support the Wildlife Warriors conservationist organization at Bellagio Resort & Casino on May 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 11: (L-R) Robert Irwin, Bindi Irwin and Terri Irwin attend the Steve Irwin gala to support the Wildlife Warriors conservationist organization at Bellagio Resort & Casino on May 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Robert told the Today Show Australia last week, "I'm back in Australia Zoo. That's where my mum and dad met. That's where my sister [Bindi] and her husband met. Our whole family ends up meeting here at Australia Zoo so you know what? I guess this is the place to do it."

When the show's hosts joked that single ladies should head to the zoo to try and strike up a romance, he blushed. "Oh gosh! What have I done!"

Robert was romantically linked to Marvel star Xochitl Gomez after the pair's intimate routine on "Dancing with the Stars" but he played down talk about his love life.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: Xochitl Gomez attends the world premiere of Zootopia 2 at El Capitan Theatre on November 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: Xochitl Gomez attends the world premiere of Zootopia 2 at El Capitan Theatre on November 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Disney)

He responded, "You guys, I'm still blushing when you bring all that up. Goodness me!"

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