Robert Irwin stirs controversy with underwear campaign featuring reptiles

Robert Irwin, the 21-year-old son of the late Steve Irwin, has partnered with Australian underwear brand Bonds for a new campaign launching in the US. The photoshoot features Irwin posing in underwear with snakes and lizards, leading to a controversy and online trolling. The campaign aims to promote the brand's expansion into the American market.

Irwin, known for continuing his father's wildlife conservation legacy alongside his mother and sister at Australia Zoo, has been in the public eye since childhood. His latest venture into underwear modelling marks a significant departure from his previous work.

Bonds, an Australian brand, chose Irwin and Australian rapper Tkay Maidza for their US launch campaign. The images feature Irwin in various poses, often with reptiles.


The photoshoot has generated considerable discussion online, with many expressing surprise at Irwin's appearance. Some social media users commented on their conflicted feelings seeing him in this new light, remembering him as a child on television.

“I was born in 1989. My elder eyes shan't not look upon this.”

This person said this is how “millennials who grew up watching his dad” look at the photos.

“I'm conflicted I watched your birth episode and now you look like this!! God Damn,” another person wrote.

“It's the ever rare Aussie single male. Women keep hunting them out of existence.”

Another person wrote, “He looks great, that being said I grew up watching his dad's shows. I REMEMBER them taking Bindi outta school when Robert was born. He feels like a little brother. I can't be attracted to this.”

“Robert!! I feel like I shouldn't be seeing this Robert! So scandalous,” this user exclaimed.

On Instagram, another person wrote, “I feel icky looking at him like a man. Obviously he is. But no no, he's a boy, put on some pants!”

This user wrote, “I feel like I'm now in my 'cougar' stage in life.”

Does this hilarious comment mean he's no longer a little Totodile?

“Ok but you knew what you were doing with this one with the snake,” another user called out.

Irwin, in an interview with People magazine, revealed he is currently single.

“I’m single. It’s funny, I’m at this point in my life where I’m like, I’m so open to that, but I’m just waiting for the stars to align,” he told the outlet.

Irwin has appeared in photoshoots for magazines like Stellar and GQ in the past. However, the Bonds campaign represents his first underwear advertisement. He has yet to share the photos on his own social media accounts.