Robert Irwin poses for Bonds (Instagram: Bonds)
Robert Irwin is showing fans a different side of himself.
The 21-year-old son of the late Steve Irwin was revealed as the brand icon of an Australian underwear company Thursday.
« Say g’day to our new brand icon, Robert Irwin, like you’ve never seen him before, » the Bonds ad campaign was captioned. « Who better to rep comfy down under than the Aussie wildlife legend himself. »
Robert posed for the ads in Bonds underwear but drew some inspiration from his zookeeper job. In a few of the shots, Robert could be seen holding reptiles.
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Robert Irwin posed shirtless for an underwear ad campaign. (Instagram: Bonds)
Fans were shocked by Robert’s transformation, as many remembered him as the young son of the infamous Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.
« Wait what… when did he.. how did he.. huh, » one user replied on Instagram.
« What in the Irwin is going on here, » another added.
One user admitted, « Not the collab I was expecting – he looks SO good. »
« Is this still April Fools, » another joked.
Robert Irwin’s Bonds ad campaign surprised fans. (Instagram: Bonds)
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Robert Irwin is the son of « Crocodile Hunter » star Steve Irwin. (Getty Images)
« Crocodile Hunter » star Steve Irwin died in 2006 after being stung by a stingray while filming a wildlife documentary. His daughter Bindi was eight years old at the time, while Robert was only two.
Now Robert is all grown up and choosing to do « random exciting things, » like the Bonds underwear campaign.
« It was a pretty immediate yes, » he told People magazine.
« I wish I could say I was very suave and cool about the whole thing, but I was like, ‘Yes! Let’s do it!’ Because Bonds in Australia is an absolute icon, » Robert added. « Also, I’m at this point in my life where I’m trying to do as many different and random exciting things, and if it’s something that makes me a little bit nervous, that I’ve never done before and it’s a bit of an adrenaline rush? That’s what I want to be doing. »
Robert Irwin, Terri Irwin and Bindi Irwin pictured in October 2019. (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
Robert followed in his father’s footsteps – taking a job at the Australia Zoo. The zookeeper saw the Bonds ad as an opportunity to share his conservation message with a larger audience.
« We are all trying to continue an important legacy that my dad started, » he explained. « I’ve gotten to find my own individual ways of doing that, and sometimes that comes in the form of modeling Bonds! It seems so out of the ordinary for what I would do, but I get to be with Aussie Wildlife, I get to approach a new audience, a new platform, and get my wildlife conservation message out there to more people. And that is what means so much to me and my family. »
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Robert, Steve and Bindi Irwin pose with three-year-old alligator Russ at Australia Zoo on June 25, 2005. (Photo by MeganSlade/Newspix/Getty Images)
Robert celebrated his 21st birthday in November and took the moment to remember his father.
« Today I turn 21. I was looking through the archives a few days ago and I found these pictures of my dad on his 21st, » he wrote on Instagram.
« It can be hard to celebrate the milestones when there’s someone missing, but I will carry his memory and passion with me in this new chapter of life. I am one lucky guy to be surrounded by my amazing family today. Time to celebrate! »
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