Rylee Arnold and Robert Irwin know all about manifesting!
In September 2024, the 19-year-old professional dancer told the Lightweights podcast that she would love to see the Australian conservationist and television star, 21, as her future Dancing with the Stars partner.
Fast forward to Tuesday, April 22, it was revealed at Disney Entertainment Television’s Get Real Event that the son of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin would be one of the celebrities competing for the coveted mirrorball trophy in Season 34 of the long-running dance competition series.
“I cannot tell you what a privilege, what an honor it is to be joining this season,” the shirtless star said at the event with a snake around his neck before recalling how his older sister Bindi Irwin, 26, competed on the show in 2015.
“I said, ‘One day, that’s gonna be me.’ And now, that dream is a reality and I am over the moon. Let’s do this!” Robert told the crowd.
As for Arnold, during last fall’s podcast, she said, “For some reason, I had this thought that Robert Irwin was gonna be my partner because I kind of had put it out into the atmosphere,” per Us Weekly.
“People were talking about it so much. People were tagging me in things. So, I was like, ‘It could be them,’ ” Arnold explained. “But at that point, I’m literally like, ‘I have no idea.’ And I did not know any of the celebrities until I was in the show.”
However, she was eventually paired with Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik for Season 33.
“But when Stephen was first announced, I was like, ‘He needs to be my partner.’ I was just like, ‘He’s awesome. I need someone like that as my partner this year,’ ” she continued.
The athlete’s announcement was made on Good Morning America in August 2024.
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When Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts asked Nedoroscik, 26, if he planned to bring any of his iconic pommel horse moves to the DWTS dance floor, he said, “I’m hoping to bring some of them. I want to bring some flares, I want to bring some of that gymnastics. Maybe a back flip or handstand. I want to have fun with it.”
The four-time U.S. national champion added, “I’m very excited,” before revealing the opportunity was one he said “yes” to straight away.
Nedoroscik and Arnold finished fourth in season 33, which ended with Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson winning the mirror ball trophy. Arnold made her DWTS pro debut in 2023, when she competed with Harry Jowsey.
It has not yet been revealed who Arnold or Robert will be paired with for Season 34, and the full cast of celebrities and pro dancers is expected to be announced soon.
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