BindiIrwin is already Australia’s sweetheart, but it appears the 17-year-oldhas also captured the hearts of Americansalike. The animal activist, who hails from Down Under, took home the coveted Dancing With the Stars Mirrorball Trophy with dancing partner Derek Hough on Tuesday night during the show’s Season21 finale. Here are five things to knowabout the reigning dancing queen:
Photo: ABC/Craig Sjodin
1.She has a famous fatherBindi’sfather is the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin. She was only 8 years old whenher dad tragically died after being stung by a stingray in 2006.Throughout her journey on the TV show, the animal conservationist paid tributeto her late father and referred to him as her “hero” on social media before herbig win writing: “Dad, I know you walk beside me always andyour strength lives within me. I love you.”
2.She’s terrified of beesBindihas hung out with crocs and cuddled tigers, but this Jungle Girl is surprisingly scared of an unlikelyanimal — bees. The DWTS champ previously told PEOPLE, “When I was about 2 years old,I found a bee that had been stepped on, on the foot path, and so I picked it upto rescue it, and it stung me on the hand. From that day forward, I’ve beenterrified of bees.” She added, “Give me a 15-ft. crocodileany day over a bee.”
3.She’s off the marketBindi is in arelationship. They say you fall for a man just like your father, and well thatappears to be the case with Bindi’s boyfriend ChandlerPowell. The dancer's wakeboarding beau has previously hashtagged “#ISwamTheCrocPond”on Instagram, which not-so-coincidentally seems to be related to an interview Bindi gave with Entertainment Tonight saying, “Dad always said you can't date till you're 40, and he has tobe able to swim across our largest crocodile pond before he can go out withyou." Something tells us dad would approve!
Photo: Australia Zoo via Getty Images
4.She lives at a zooBindialong with her mom Terri and 11-year-old brother Robert reside at the Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, Australia. Whatbetter place for a wildlife conservationist to live than among animals!
5.DWTS wasn’t her first brush with the entertainment worldThedancer has previously starred on her own shows including Bindi the Jungle Girl andBindi’s Bootcamp. The youngAustralian had also made an appearance on the silver screen playing Nim Rusoe in the 2013 film Return to Nim's Island.
