On the glitzy stage of Dancing With the Stars, co-host Julianne Hough has seen it all. But even she was caught off guard when she learned that contestant Robert Irwin had drawn some unexpected attention. Following a performance with partner Witney Carson on September 30, where Irwin ripped his shirt off, he reportedly received offers to host shows at Chippendales and Thunder Down Under.
When approached by TMZ, Hough, 37, had some playful comments about the 21-year-old's proposals. "I saw there's this older millennial group of women trying to do the math to see if that's appropriate or not," she quipped with a laugh. Irwin, the beloved Australian conservationist, has been a fan favorite throughout the season, and the offers didn't surprise Hough. She humorously agreed with his decision to turn down the Chippendales offer, calling it "the right move."
"Mate, all power to ’em, but not for me. Not right now," Robert shared about the offers, adding with a chuckle, "I’ll take the shirt off now and again, but I’m gonna draw the line there."
In a light-hearted chat with Entertainment Tonight, Robert Irwin confirmed the saucy offers he'd received. "It is true," he laughed, while his dance partner Witney Carson expressed her surprise at the news. Irwin, who is dedicated to bringing attention to conservation efforts, remarked, “I’m all about, anything to push the conservation message. But, yeah, Chippendales, sorry, but it’s just, not quite.”
Despite the unexpected proposals, Irwin remains committed to his primary mission. Fans of the show continue to rally behind him, celebrating not only his charm and talent on the dance floor but also his commitment to spreading important messages beyond it.
This entertaining tidbit about Irwin first appeared in Parade's News section on October 22, 2025. The story has captured the public's imagination, showcasing yet another way Dancing With the Stars brings unexpected surprises to its audience. Catch Irwin and the rest of the DWTS crew as they continue to dazzle viewers each week.