Honestly, nobody had "Robert Irwin underwear model" on their 2025 bingo card. We all remember him as the wide-eyed kid feeding baby crocs or showing off his photography on Jimmy Fallon. But then, April 2025 rolled around, and the Robert Irwin Bonds photoshoot hit the internet like a freight train.
The campaign, titled "Made for Down Under," didn't just feature Robert in a pair of trunks. It was a full-blown cultural moment. He was 21, ripped, and posing with venomous snakes while wearing nothing but cotton-stretch boxer briefs. It was a massive departure from the khakis we've seen him in since he could walk.
People lost their minds. Some fans were supportive, while others felt a weird, protective "older sibling" vibe. Seeing "Little Bob" grow up is one thing; seeing him follow in the footsteps of guys like Jeremy Allen White is quite another.
What Actually Happened at the Robert Irwin Bonds Photoshoot?
The shoot was basically a love letter to Australian suburbia, but with a dangerous twist. Bonds, which is a legendary brand in Australia, wanted to make a splash in the U.S. market. To do that, they teamed up with Robert and rapper Tkay Maidza.
They didn't go for a polished, high-fashion studio look. Instead, they kept it lo-fi and raw.
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Imagine a classic Aussie backyard. There’s a Hill’s Hoist clothesline, a plastic white chair, and a lawnmower. Then, add a perentie lizard and a snake draped over Robert’s shoulders. He told People magazine that the animals weren't the scary part. "Getting your gear off is way scarier than wrangling a croc!" he joked.
No CGI, Just Real Danger
One of the wildest details about the Robert Irwin Bonds photoshoot is that there was zero CGI used.
- The Snake: A real python was used in several shots.
- The Spider: A venomous spider was actually crawling on his thigh in one of the main stills.
- The Croc: Even Elvis the crocodile made a "vibe" appearance in the campaign.
Robert admitted he had to do more sit-ups and eat fewer carbs than ever before to prepare. He worked with his brother-in-law, Chandler Powell (a professional athlete), to get into peak shape. It clearly worked. The "glow-up" was undeniable, and it sparked a massive debate about how we perceive child stars as they transition into adulthood.
The Viral Backlash and "Cougar" Controversy
Not everyone was just hit with "thirst." The shoot actually caused a bit of a stir on social media and Australian radio.
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Some commentators, like 2GB's Lucy Zelic, pointed out a massive double standard. She noted that if middle-aged men had made the same "thirsty" comments about a 21-year-old woman that women were making about Robert, they’d be cancelled instantly. People were calling him a "snack" and making puns about his "python." It was a chaotic week on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
There was also a segment of the audience that just felt old. If you were born in the late 80s or 90s, you literally watched this kid be born on The Crocodile Hunter. Seeing him as a fitness-focused underwear model felt like a glitch in the Matrix for a lot of millennials.
Why Bonds Chose Robert Irwin
It wasn't just about his abs. Bonds has been around for over 100 years. In Australia, the brand is synonymous with being "laid back." They needed someone who embodied that Aussie spirit but also had global recognition to help them break into the American market via Amazon.
Robert was the perfect bridge. He’s got that "larrikin" energy—basically a mischievous, good-hearted Aussie—but he’s also a serious conservationist.
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By September 2025, Robert was reflecting on the whole experience. He told reporters it felt "strange" to get that much attention for his body rather than his wildlife work, but he viewed it as a platform. If the underwear ads got more people to listen to his message about protecting the planet, he was fine with the "dehydration" he caused online.
Surprising Details from the Set
- The Moustache: By early 2026, Robert had actually moved on to a "Top Gun" style moustache look, proving he's still experimenting with his image.
- The Discipline: He credited his mom, Terri, for his fitness drive, mentioning she used to be into bodybuilding and had "more biceps than I'll ever have."
- The Location: The shoot was filmed in a setting designed to look like a "fibro shack"—a humble, traditional Australian home—to keep it grounded.
What His Dad Would Have Thought
This is the question everyone asks. Robert is always careful about preserving his father's legacy. When asked what Steve Irwin would have said about the Robert Irwin Bonds photoshoot, Robert didn't hesitate. He said there would’ve been a lot of "Crikeys!" thrown around.
Steve was known for his high energy and "go for it" attitude. Robert seems to be applying that same adrenaline-junkie mindset to his career. Whether it's winning Dancing with the Stars in late 2025 or stripping down for a national ad campaign, he's clearly not afraid of a challenge.
The campaign did exactly what it was supposed to do: it made Bonds a household name in the U.S. and proved that Robert Irwin is a versatile brand in his own right. He’s no longer just "Steve’s son." He’s a TV host, a photographer, a dancer, and yeah, an underwear model.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're following Robert's career or looking to understand why this campaign worked so well, here are the key takeaways:
- Embrace the Pivot: Robert showed that you can maintain your core values (conservation) while exploring totally different industries (fashion/fitness).
- Authenticity Wins: The "Made for Down Under" campaign worked because it didn't try to make Robert look like a generic runway model; it kept him in his element with the animals and the backyard vibe.
- Health as a Goal: Robert used the shoot as a personal wellness goal. If you're looking to get in "shoot-ready" shape, focus on functional fitness and consistency rather than just aesthetics.
- Handle Criticism with Grace: Despite the "icky" comments or the "double standard" debates, Robert stayed focused on the positive impact the campaign had for the brand and his conservation message.
Keep an eye on Robert's Instagram for his photography work, as he often shares the "real" wildlife stories behind the glossy commercial projects.