The female TV host of Dancing with the Stars, 37, has been accused of “s3xualising” 21-year-old Aussie competitor Robert Irwin in an eyebrow-raising TV scandal.

The host of Dancing with the Stars has been accused of “s3xualising” competitor Robert Irwin after ogling over the Aussie star on Instagram.

The son of the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin sent pulses racing on Tuesday evening as he ripped off his shirt to show his tanned and toned physique during his week three performance with dance partner Witney Carson.

Julianne Hough, 37, who has co-hosted the US dance competition TV series since 2023, subsequently took to Instagram to share a photo of herself with the Aussie icon, 21, dubbing him an “afternoon snack”.

She could be seen with an excited expression as a tanned and shirtless Irwin stood beside her in the humourous snap.

Despite her lighthearted intentions in complimenting Irwin, some people claim Hough was being inappropriate towards the 21-year-old.

“Tacky, you could be his mother,” one person wrote in the comments.

“Nooo, he’s still a baby in my eyes,” another person said.

“Feels so wrong to s3xualise him.”

 

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A post shared by Julianne Hough (@juleshough)

“Nah, girl, that’s a 16-year age gap lol,” one more person said, as another quipped: “cougar town”.

A fourth person acknowledged wildlife warrior Bindi Irwin’s brother was a “good-looking kid” but said he was “far too young for me to drool over”.

Meanwhile, others claimed if a male host had written the same comment about a younger female contestant, he would likely lose his job.

Nevertheless, some fans of Dancing with the Stars bought into Hough’s humour, with one person saying she had spoken for the majority.

“She just said what we were all thinking,” the commentator said.

“He is the snack,” another person said.

“He’s the whole damn fridge,” a third fan said.

Irwin and Carson ripped up the dance floor as they performed a team rendition of the Salsa to the tune of Tommy Richman’s Million Dollar Baby.

The Australian conservationist and professional dancer gyrated across the floor, with Irwin ripping off his shirt mid-dance to the roar of the crowd.

The pair scored a total of 22 points from the judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough, placing them third overall.

Robert Irwin smoulders on the ballroom floor with partner Witney Carson during their week three salsa. Picture: Instagram

Robert Irwin ripped off his shirt mid-performance Picture: Instagram

Inaba gushed over Irwin, praising how he was “all grown up” and no longer the adorable blonde-haired toddler from the early 2000s.

“Wow, you’re making me feel like a grandmother — put your shirt back on. Great performance,” she said.

Tonioli even likened Irwin to a younger version of Chris Hemsworth with a “million-dollar body”, but third judge Hough wasn’t convinced.

“You’re strong, assertive, a great performer — but I wasn’t fooled by them abs. The salsa element was rigid; it was a stiff salsa,” he said.

Irwin has followed in his sister Bindi’s footsteps by appearing on the dance series after the 27-year-old made her debut on season 21.

And it appears it has paid off, as Irwin has been inundated with requests from women eager to date him after his steamy dances on the series, to which Carson joked she will refer all those interested to Bindi for approval.

The interest in the star comes as he has recently made his mark in the modelling industry, with his career continuing to skyrocket, having recently stripped down to his underwear for a Bonds Australia campaign.

As Irwin’s power as a media personality reaches a fever pitch, his family, including the siblings’ mother, Terri, are said to have signed a lucrative reality TV deal in the US, which could see them be the next Kardashians.

A source close to the Beerwah-based clan told New Idea a new docuseries about the life of the famous clan is “pretty much a done deal”.

“Hollywood is going absolutely gaga for the Irwins right now,” they said.

Baby Robert Irwin, Bindi Irwin and Steve Irwin. Picture: Supplied

“Robert is getting so much attention on Dancing With The Stars, and that’s created this surge of interest in everything to do with the family.”

Nevertheless, the insider said the Irwins remain cautious and their reality show would need to be “classy” before they sign on the dotted line.

Irwin reportedly has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2025, and could earn as much as $400,000 for appearing on Dancing with the Stars.