The DWTS champion reveals unseen footage — and proves he was doing the move first

Robert Irwin is finally weighing in on one of the most unexpected viral moments to come out of Dancing With the Stars season 34 — Val Chmerkovskiy’s now-iconic knee walks. And in true Irwin fashion, his response is equal parts playful, humble, and surprisingly revealing.

On December 17, the wildlife conservationist and DWTS champion shared never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage that shows he was already practicing the knee walk long before it exploded online — months before Val’s show-stopping freestyle with Alix Earle sent social media into a frenzy.

The BTS Clip Fans Didn’t Know They Needed

Irwin posted the clip to TikTok, pulling fans back to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night, when he and pro partner Witney Carson performed a fierce Paso Doble to “Icky Thump” by The White Stripes. The routine earned an impressive 38 out of 40, but what viewers never saw was what happened before the cameras rolled.

In the video, Irwin can be seen warming up — casually sliding across the floor on his knees with control and confidence.

“Little did I know this pre-show warmup outtake would suddenly become very current,” Irwin wrote.
“Val, you are the kneewalk GOAT.”

The post was cheekily set to “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado — the same track Val Chmerkovskiy used during his viral freestyle in the season finale.

Fans Crown a New Knee-Walk Contender

The internet, of course, lost it.

Comments flooded in praising Irwin’s technique and joking that he might be coming for Val’s unofficial title:

• “Robert, you’re also a pro at it ”

• “Coming for Val’s knee walk crown, I see.”

• “If Val is the GOAT, you’re the runner-up ”

Many fans also admitted they were already missing Irwin on their screens, especially after the finale aired on November 25.

 

Life After DWTS: Back to the Wild

Since winning the Mirrorball Trophy, Irwin has returned home to Australia, trading ballroom floors for conservation work at Australia Zoo — the legacy founded by his late father, Steve Irwin.

Earlier this month, the 22-year-old announced his newest role at the Crocodile Hunter Lodge, a luxury eco-lodge opened in 2022 to welcome international visitors.

“We wanted to create something where people could truly feel at home when they visit us,” Irwin shared.
“The support from people in the U.S. lately has been incredible.”

According to Irwin, DWTS introduced an entirely new global audience to his family’s conservation mission — and many are now making the trip to Australia to see it firsthand.

From Ballroom Star to Viral Favorite

While Val Chmerkovskiy may still reign supreme as the internet’s knee-walk king, Robert Irwin’s latest reveal proves one thing: the move had serious competition all along.

Whether he’s wrangling crocodiles or quietly warming up backstage before a Paso Doble, Irwin continues to win fans over — not by chasing viral moments, but by embracing them with humor, humility, and authenticity.

And if the comments are any indication, audiences are more than ready to see him slide back onto the dance floor again — knee walks and all