Robert Irwin knows exactly what his late dad, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, would say about his latest campaign for Bonds, the iconic Australian underwear brand that’s launching in the US.
“I thought a lot about what dad would say about this, actually,” Irwin, 21, tells PEOPLE. “There’d be a few crikey’s thrown around!”
Irwin, who stars in the ‘Made for Down Under’ campaign, which showcases Irwin in his skivvies while being draped with snakes and spiders, says he knows the sizzling pics are a bit out of the norm for him — and that’s why he said yes.
“This is something new,” he says with a laugh. “I mean, I wear Bonds, I genuinely love ’em, but I wear my Bonds and then there’s usually a layer of khaki over the top.”
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Robert Irwin wearing Bonds underwear
He continues, “This was something a little different to be just in my Bonds. But they said we want to exemplify what makes Australia so awesome. I mean, we’re so laid back, we’re so chill, but we’ve also got the best wildlife in the world. And they said, we really want to celebrate your work, which has been about conserving the incredible wildlife that we have here.”
He says he wasn’t really nervous about stripping down: “I’m at this point in my life where I’m trying to do as many different and random exciting things as possible,” he says.
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Robert Irwin wearing Bonds underwear
Plus, if it helps highlight his animal conservation efforts, the attention will have been worth it. He knows that would have also made his dad proud.
“My dad is and always will be my hero. He’s my absolute hero,” Irwin says. “My inspiration through everything I do. He’s really the guiding light in my life. And when I’m at home and working on wildlife conservation projects, I feel close to him and to his legacy.”
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Steve Irwin holds son Robert in 2005
He says his dad Steve didn’t just inspire him, but also people around the globe.
“He really did inspire, I think, an entire generation. He was a universal voice that was so passionate and obviously so enthusiastic [about wildlife], but behind all of that was a genuine drive to make the world a better place,” he says. “And I think he exemplified what it is to truly live.”
Irwin says his chill attitude and enthusiasm for life definitely come from his father.
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“He truly [thought you] should give 100% at every single thing you do, whether it is rescuing a crocodile from East Timor in the middle of a coup, to just being a dad. He was equally passionate about everything he did. And that’s something I want to try and do in my life,” Irwin says.
“So he’ll always be my big inspiration. And there’ll never be another Steve Irwin. He is and always will be an entity on its own, and no one will ever match that. But if I can carry forward a little bit of that positivity, that passion, that enthusiasm to a new generation, then my job’s done.”
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Bonds is available exclusively in the U.S. on Amazon and at www.bondsaustralia.com.
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