Dancing With the Stars announced their full lineup for season 21 on Wednesday morning, but all eyes are on the contestant who is sure to be the season’s sweetheart–Bindi Irwin. The 17-year-old daughter of Terri Irwin and the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin is a doll, and sure to be a fan favorite.
It was announced during the big Dancing With the Stars reveal on Good Morning America that Bindi Irwin is paired with dance pro Derek Hough. The two will make an adorable couple on the dance floor.
'Dancing With the Stars' Reveals Season 21 Cast Pairings http://t.co/vrZWNE2u7x pic.twitter.com/SSGGMCAwyv
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 2, 2015
Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, Derek Hough talked about Bindi Irwin at the Television Academy Cocktail Reception for Outstanding Choreography at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday.
“We are gonna bust out with a kind of on-the-nose song the first week,” the longtime Dancing With the Stars pro said. “I’m in this space right now where I’m super pumped on life right now. I feel connected. I feel great. And then she walks in my life. You don’t understand what positive energy she is.”
Season 21 @DancingABC Pair: @BindiIrwin and @derekhough. #DWTS #DancingOnGMA pic.twitter.com/wQjhmWCUIK
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 2, 2015
Derek Hough added that Bindi Irwin’s lifelong conservation efforts make her even more special.
“I’m trying to figure out what it is,” he said of her very special spark. “I just got off a vacation on a lake, and I was thinking maybe it’s because she’s connected to nature and the animals or something. And if you’re that connected, you feel whole I guess. I don’t know what it is. I love her. She’s amazing. She’s a breath of fresh air. We all need a little Bindi in our life. Seriously.”
It was just last week that Bindi Irwin announced she is a contestant on season 21 of Dancing With the Stars.
Bindi Irwin is on @DancingABC! Who else will be revealed tomorrow LIVE on @GMA? http://t.co/pdPrlqUJjV pic.twitter.com/JxokM9Kq1y
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 1, 2015
“This is going to be more terrifying than jumping on top of a crocodile,” she admitted. “Crocodiles, they are very special because they are modern-day dinosaurs. But I’ve kind of worked with them my whole life, whereas I’ve never danced before in my life.”
Fans can check out Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough when season 21 of Dancing With the Stars premieres on September 14 on ABC.