Fifteen years ago, the world saw a little girl clutching her mother’s hand at the funeral of Steve Irwin, her eyes brimming with grief too heavy for someone so young. That little girl was Bindi Irwin. Now, in 2025, she has stepped into a new chapter of her life — not as the daughter of the “Crocodile Hunter,” but as a woman making her own mark. Bindi Irwin has been officially announced as the newest judge on Dancing with the Stars.
Appearing in a shimmering silver gown, Bindi walked onto the ballroom stage with poise and emotion. Her voice caught slightly as she whispered into the microphone: “Dad, I made it.” It was a moment of raw vulnerability that immediately connected her past with her present, reminding viewers of the journey that shaped her.
Before the show continued, the lights dimmed for a tribute montage. Childhood clips of Bindi with her father, Steve Irwin, filled the screen — a tiny girl riding on his shoulders, laughing in the wild, and holding crocodiles with fearless joy. Then, the video shifted to her own triumphant 2015 DWTS season, where she and Derek Hough danced their way to the Mirrorball Trophy. By the time the reel ended, the entire audience was already on its feet, clapping through tears.
Taking her seat at the judges’ table, Bindi spoke with quiet strength. “My dad once told me: never stop dancing, even when your heart hurts the most. And that’s what I’ve tried to live by ever since. Tonight, I’m not just here as a judge — I’m here as a daughter, honoring him by carrying that lesson forward.”
The symbolism of her new role wasn’t lost on anyone. Bindi’s path to the judges’ panel wasn’t about fame — it was about resilience. Her journey has taken her from heartbreak to conservation work, from becoming a mother herself to once again stepping into the spotlight, this time with wisdom gained from years of carrying her father’s mission and love in her heart.
For Australia, the moment was deeply personal. For American fans, it was nostalgic and inspiring. And for Bindi herself, it was healing — a reminder that grief doesn’t end, but it can evolve into something powerful, something that lights the way forward.
As the first night of the season unfolded, the spotlight often drifted back to Bindi. Not just because of her beauty or her fame, but because of what she represented: a living tribute to Steve Irwin’s legacy, wrapped in her own courage and grace. What began as crocodile tears all those years ago has now blossomed into a dazzling, triumphant full-circle moment.
And with every score she holds up this season, Bindi Irwin won’t just be judging dances — she’ll be honoring the dance of life her father taught her to never stop.
