Robert Irwin Wears Dad Steve’s Shirt Before ‘DWTS’ Shows for ‘Good Luck’

Robert Irwin wears his heart on his sleeve.

Irwin, 21, took to TikTok on Sunday, November 16, to share his preshow rituals while competing on season 34 of Dancing With the Stars.

“Every show day on Dancing With the Stars, I have two good luck charms that I bring with me. These things keep me close to home and to what’s most important to me,” he said, noting that he wears a green button-up shirt that once belonged to his late dad, Steve Irwin, and a gold ring.

“This is my dad’s shirt,” Robert said while smiling. “I was going through his stuff and I found this shirt. It’s absolutely tattered and has holes and is missing buttons,” he added before turning around and showing off the lived-in piece.

Robert Irwin Shares What Late Dad Steve Would Think About ‘DWTS’

Robert then explained that he got the shirt “fixed up” and replaced the old buttons and patched up the rips.

“I like that it still looks and feels like him. This shirt definitely saw a lot. I guess it’s kind of a good example of how dad lived his life,” he gushed.

@robertirwin

Part 1 – How I take a little piece of home into the ballroom on show day @Dancing with the Stars DWTS ❤️

♬ Originalton – Sean

The wildlife conservationist explained that every morning ahead of a show, he puts on the button-up and wears it for his and Witney Carson’s “first rehearsal” of the day.

“It just keeps me close to home, it keeps me close to him. It feels like a big hug,” Robert continued. “Every time I step out into the ballroom, I represent my dad’s legacy, my home, my family.”

On Monday, November 17, Robert opened up about his second good luck charm — a gold ring that’s “really, really special” to him.

“A while ago, I was cleaning out my dad’s office, [and] one of the things I found was a set of keys from our original childhood home,” he explained. “I took those keys and got them melted down and turned into a ring.”

Robert then zoomed in on the design and showed the engravings, which read “1638” in honor of the Australia Zoo’s address at 1638 Steve Irwin Way.

He shared that he puts on the jewelry every Tuesday morning when he heads to the Dancing With the Stars studio.

Robert Irwin Strips Off His Shirt and Shows Off Abs in ‘DWTS’ Reveal

He added, “It’s the most beautiful experience, and in some way, I want him part of it. This experience has truly changed my life. I know I wouldn’t be here without him and his legacy that I get to continue.”

Last week, Robert’s sister, Bindi Irwin — who won season 21 of DWTS — joined him on the dance floor for his foxtrot to “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis. They honored Steve, who died in 2006 from a stingray injury, with an emotional tribute. At the end of the routine, photos of his family were projected onto the dance floor, making Robert tear up. Bindi, 27, and Witney, 32, comforted him before he heard from the judges (who gave him a perfect score).

Dancing With the Stars airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.