Bindi Irwin, the 17-year-old daughter of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, has been announced as the first official celebrity contestant to compete on Dancing with the Stars' upcoming 21st season on ABC.
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"I am used to wrangling crocodiles... I actually just got back from our annual crocodile research trip. About four days ago I was in far north Queensland catching crocs and now here I am in New York City, about to be in LA."
Bindi, who said she feels "honored" to appear on the series yet "quite nervous," currently lives with her mother Terri and little brother Robert on the grounds of the Australia Zoo. Bindi was apparently only eight-years-old when her father died in a stingray attack off the coast of Australia.
While Bindi has accomplished some extremely adventurous and dangerous feats in her life, she's afraid to face the Dancing with the Stars judges.
"I have to tell you though, the judges scare me more than crocodiles. They are so knowledgeable. They're supreme athletes. I'm just this girl from Australia who's used to crocs so give me a 15-foot crocodile any day," she said on GMA.
"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."
Bindi, who disclosed she's dating "someone special," doesn't know which professional dancer will serve as her partner yet, but she has a couple requests.
"I just hope my dance partner, whoever it is, is very patient and likes animals, because you never know what I'm going to bring to rehearsal," she added.
In addition to co-creating a book series and starring in multiple films and TV shows, Bindi has a little dance experience under her belt as well. She has her own dance troupe called "The Jungle Girls" and performed in a fitness video for kids.
Another big change for Bindi will be swapping her khakis and boots for ballroom costumes. However, zoo-friendly attire will apparently always be a part of her wardrobe.
"We always say khaki is not just a color, it's an attitude. It's a part of who we here," Bindi explained. "You can't climb a tree or wrangle a snake in a dress very easily so this is completely different."
The rest of Dancing with the Stars' Season 20 cast will be announced over the course of the next two weeks. The new edition premieres Monday, September 14 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
