Robert Irwin is embracing his new home on the dance floor! After his big win with Witney Carson on Dancing With The Stars Season 34, Irwin can’t seem to shake off those boogie shoes. When the wildlife conservationist was offered the opportunity to host Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro, he naturally “jumped” at the chance. “It was a ‘yes’ for me, and then I found out details,” remembered Irwin. The new reality TV competition series follows 12 extraordinary dancers of all ages as they compete in an intense audition process to win the coveted spot as a pro dancer on DWTS Season 35.
When asked if more seasoned contestants have an edge over the younger ones, Irwin was quick to assure fans that age is not necessarily an advantage on The Next Pro. “Obviously, experience is always important, but at the end of the day, the next pro doesn’t just have to be the best dancer,” explained Irwin. “They have to be the best teacher, choreographer, storyteller, and therapist. They have to be able to do everything for their partner.”
Luckily, these dancers will be judged by the best duo in the business: Strictly Come Dancing head judge/ “Queen of Latin” Shirley Ballas and her son, three-time DWTS winner Mark Ballas. “I don’t know how Mark and Shirley narrowed down the contestants each episode for elimination,” said Irwin. “They agree on a lot and they disagree on a lot. Their connection and warmth really ground the show.” Irwin was also quick to note that a different DWTS pro will join the Ballases at the judges’ table for each episode, including DWTS legend, Derek Hough and Irwin’s dance partner, Carson. “Everyone wants the contestants to perform well.”
Irwin spoke to Decider during The Next Pro press day to discuss the series, marvel at the “passionate” DWTS fan base, and confirm that he will get to join the dancers on the floor later this season.
DECIDER: Dancing with the Stars fans have been clamoring for a series like The Next Pro for a long time. What was your initial reaction when you got the call to be the host?
ROBERT IRWIN: It was a “yes” for me, and then I found out details [laughs]. I was coming off of this incredible journey on Dancing With The Stars, which was life-changing and beautiful and unforgettable. I jumped at the opportunity to stay within that Dancing With the Stars family that I had created.
There’s really no other show like it on television.
Exactly! There are three things that make Dancing with the Stars so special. First, it’s the team members behind the scenes who work so hard to make that show what it is. Second, it’s the pros that come back every single season and do the most incredible work to lift up their partners. Third, it’s the audiences who are so unbelievably engaged and passionate.
With The Next Pro, not only are we giving the audience a look into what it takes to be a pro, but we’re giving each of our pros a time to shine. They get to mentor our next pro hopefuls, but also give fans a peek behind the curtain so they can see just how hard it is to be a pro. There are points in this show that I can’t give away yet, but we highlight elements of the DWTS process that fans have wanted a behind-the-scenes peek at for a very long time. That was very, very cool.
In the trailer, it looks like you hit the dance floor with this incredible group. Can you confirm or deny?
Can I confirm? [Turns to ABC team who nod in approval] Yes, I can confirm! I am dancing a bit in The Next Pro. I’m doing far more than just hosting. Towards the end of the competition, we’ve got a full-out choreographed number where I reunite with Witney for the first time since winning DWTS.
It was all very exciting for me. While we were filming the season, I was asking the team when I could dance again. “How about in this episode? What about in this episode?” They’re like, “just wait for the finale, Robert.” [Laughs] Being on DWTS was such a privilege. I had a three-month crash course to learn a whole new skill from the ground up. It became so ingrained in me. Now all I want to do is dance!
The contestants’ ages range from 20 to 35. Do you think the more experienced dancers have the advantage or is there something to be said about the aspiring pros who are young and hungry?
Oh, not necessarily. Obviously, experience is always important, but at the end of the day, the next pro doesn’t just have to be the best dancer. They have to the best teacher, choreographer, storyteller, and therapist too. They have to be everything for their partner. That’s what we’re looking for. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, or what your dance background is, or how old you are. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in the troupe on Dancing with the Stars itself. It is all about what you can give, what you are willing to do, and whether you are willing to put it all on the line to be a pro.
We’re about to see that all 12 of these contestants are more than willing to do that. That’s what makes this so hard. The worst job on The Next Pro is being a judge. I don’t know how Mark and Shirley narrowed down the contestants each episode for elimination. We were watching some of the most talented dancers on Earth perform each week. Judging is a very hard job, but it’s also a great job [laughs]. You can tell how much they love it.
What was it like to watch their mother-son dynamic in person?
Hilarious. Their dynamic reminds me sometimes of the one I have with my mum. My family would film from time to time when I was young, so I know what it’s like to film with the people who are closest to you when it is part of the family business. Mark and Shirley have both been in front of cameras for a long time.
Shirley’s the legend in the dance world. She’s known for being an incredibly firm, but fair judge. She might be a very kind and wonderful human being, but she will not let anything slide. You have to be the best if you’re going to dance for Shirley. Mark definitely has the same standards. He’s done Dancing with the Stars for so long.
It’s been fun to watch them judge together. They agree on a lot, and they disagree on a lot. Their connection and warmth really ground the show. Plus, a new pro from Dancing with the Stars joins them each week, so everyone knows each other. Everyone wants the contestants to perform well.
Yes! You can tell that everyone really wants these dancers to succeed.
That’s what sets this show apart from the rest of reality TV competition shows. It’s positive. It’s fun. We want everybody to do well as long as everybody gives it all they got.
Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro premieres Monday, July 13 at 8PM ET. New episodes will air weekly after that.
