Robert Irwinis speaking up for one of his flock.
Three weeks after his sister Bindi Irwin shared she is “genuinely healing” after “13 years of fighting” a health battle with endometriosis, the 21-year-old son of Steve Irwin and Terri Irwin gave an update on how she is feeling.
“She’s doing good,” Robert exclusively told E! News Sept. 3 after his fellow Dancing With the Stars season 34 cast members were revealed. “It’s an ongoing battle. Endometriosis is one of these things where it’s not a quick fix.”
Indeed, Bindi has undergone multiple surgeries to remove lesions and an ovarian cyst in the two years since she shared her diagnosis with endometriosis, which is caused by unusual tissue growing outside of the uterus.
“It is something that needs to be in the forefront of discussions,” Robert continued in his interview, airingon E! News tonight at 11 p.m. “Women’s health throughout history—and even now—is just underdiscussed, underresearched. We really need advocates to stand up and to get the word out there—men and women.”
And his strong bond with Bindi has inspired more than just his advocacy. Robert admitted he received “a lot of advice” from his sister for the dancing competition series, which she won in 2015 with her partner Derek Hough.
“She said, ‘Just try and give it your all, but enjoy and make it your own,’” Robert explained. “And I’m excited to do that. I was so proud of her, watching her light up the ballroom. Proudest little brother in the world. That’s why I’m here, that’s why I’m doing this.”
Meanwhile, Bindi has expressed her excitement for her brother to be joining the ABC series.
“Robert, you are going to absolutely shine in the ballroom,” she wrote on Instagram in April following his casting. “I wish I could express the magnitude of how proud I am of you and everything you have achieved.”
“Can’t wait to cheer you on each week as you inspire so many with your strength, kindness and determination,” she continued. “Here’s to an extraordinary journey ahead.”
Read on to see who all will be competing on season 34 of Dancing With the Stars.
—Reporting by Emily Curl
Baron Davis
Partnered with Britt Stewart
Jennifer Affleck
Partnered with Jan Ravnik
Alix Earle
Partnered with Valentin Chmerkovski
Dylan Efron
Partnered with Daniella Karagach
Corey Feldman
Partnered with Jenna Johnson
Elaine Hendrix
Partnered with Alan Bersten
Robert Irwin
Partnered with Witney Carson
Jordan Chiles
Partnered with Ezra Sosa
Scott Hoying
Partnered with Rylee Arnold
Whitney Leavitt
Partnered with Mark Ballas
Hilaria Baldwin
Partnered with Gleb Savchenko
Andy Richter
Partnered with Emma Slater
Danielle Fishel
Partnered with Pasha Pashkov
