The internet went into meltdown this week after Terri Irwin — conservationist, TV personality, and proud mum — shared a new photo of her 20-year-old son, Robert Irwin, that fans are calling “upsettingly hot.”
The Australia Zoo heir, known for his kind heart, infectious energy, and uncanny resemblance to his late father Steve Irwin, looked every bit the leading man in the photo Terri posted to Instagram. Dressed in his signature khaki shirt with the top buttons undone, Robert smiled at the camera against a backdrop of glowing Queensland sunshine.
Within minutes, the post racked up tens of thousands of likes and hundreds of comments — not just from wildlife fans, but from admirers around the world.
“Terri, please warn us next time!” one fan joked. “I nearly dropped my phone.”
Another wrote, “How is this the same kid who used to hold baby crocs on TV? He’s grown into a total heartthrob!”
But it wasn’t just Robert’s charm that had social media buzzing — it was the timing of the post. The photo appeared just days after rumours surfaced that the young wildlife photographer and Crikey! It’s the Irwins star might be the next leading man on The Bachelor Australia.
According to entertainment insiders, producers are reportedly “very interested” in Robert for an upcoming reboot of the dating show — hoping to inject it with “heart, humility, and wholesome energy” after several seasons of controversy.
“Robert Irwin represents everything people love about Australia — warmth, nature, family, and genuine charm,” a source told New Idea. “He’s got the looks, the legacy, and the personality. He’d be the dream Bachelor.”
When asked about the speculation during a recent Sunrise interview, Robert laughed it off, saying, “I’m just focused on the wildlife at the moment! But hey, I’ll take the compliment.”
Terri, meanwhile, seemed amused by the fan reaction to her son’s viral photo. Commenting under her own post, she wrote playfully:
“Posting this because I’m a proud mum — not to break the internet!”
But break it she did. Fans flooded her comments with tongue-in-cheek pleas like, “Terri, adopt me,” and “Ma’am, you’ve created a global thirst emergency.”
Even Robert’s sister, Bindi Irwin, chimed in with a teasing response:
“Mum, please stop encouraging him. ”
While Robert hasn’t confirmed or denied whether he’d ever appear on The Bachelor, it’s clear he’s captured the public’s heart — not just for his looks, but for his sincerity and dedication to wildlife conservation.
On social media, fans have begun circulating clips of him rescuing animals, speaking passionately about climate change, and joking with his mum on talk shows. “He’s the kind of man who makes kindness cool,” one comment read.
As for Terri, she couldn’t be prouder. In a recent interview, she said:
“Steve would be so proud of the man Robert’s become — strong, compassionate, and full of life. That’s all that matters to me.”
Whether or not he’s headed for The Bachelor, one thing is certain: Robert Irwin has officially graduated from wildlife wonder to national heartthrob — and his mum’s latest post just sealed the deal.
