Witney Carson Had ‘Flashbacks’ of ‘Little’ Robert Irwin in ‘DWTS’ Ballroom 10 Years Before Partnership (Exclusive)

After becoming partners with Robert Irwin, Witney Carson couldn’t help but think back to the moment he first walked into the Dancing With the Stars ballroom a decade ago.

“I had flashbacks of when he was little, so I just felt, like, immediately connected to him, and I just wanted to pinch his cheeks,” Witney, 31, gushed in an interview with Us Weekly. “I just couldn’t stop hugging him. I was like, ‘This is so perfect.’ I couldn’t have wished for a better partner.”

Robert’s sister, Bindi Irwin, previously won season 21 of DWTS with pro Derek Hough in 2015. Robert, now 21, often accompanied his older sister while she was on the show — and is now returning to the ballroom with Witney in season 34.

“I was just so stoked,” Robert recalled after finding out Witney would be his partner. “I feel like this is such a dream come true, such a full-circle moment, 10 years after being in the ballroom with Bindi to now be here with you. I first met [Witney] when I was this big with a little bowl cut.”

Although he’s new to the dancing world, Robert shared that rehearsals have “been awesome.”

“Honestly, Witney’s just been incredible,” he told Us. “And it’s such a huge learning curve because I’ve never done anything like this. I’ve never done anything close to dancing. I guess dangerous animals, you got to have footwork, so maybe there’s a little bit of that, but you’ve got your work cut out for you, mate.”

While he believes being on DWTS is such a “privilege” and an “honor,” Robert still has some fear about dancing in front of other people.

“It’s all this, like, exciting, nervous adrenaline rush, but it’s good nerves,” he added. “It’s this feeling of, like, you get to push yourself, you get to create this amazing, life-changing experience. It certainly was for my sister, like she said. It’s literally a life-changing experience. So, yeah, I’m just excited to get in there and try that for myself. But it all terrifies me — all the glitter, everything. It’s all new but in the best way.”

Luckily, Robert has Bindi, 27, for guidance and support throughout the season — especially after she announced in August that she would be moving her family to Los Angeles for a few months to cheer on Robert.

“That’s so Bindi, like, she’s amazing,” Robert gushed about his sister. “When I said, ‘I’m gonna do Dancing With the Stars,’ she just said, ‘That’s it. We’re coming. We’re going to L.A., we’ll be right there with you.’ And she’s just the best sister ever.”

Robert explained that Bindi has been like a “second mum” for him throughout his life.

“She’s very nurturing. It’s so sweet,” he said to Us. “I just feel like it’s great to have my older sibling here.”

Robert and Bindi are the two children of Terri Irwin and the late animal conservationist Steve Irwin.

While Robert has followed in his father’s footsteps by devoting his life to animals, Witney and Robert aren’t 100 percent set on including an animal in one of their dance routines.

“What do you think about a croc?” Witney joked before Robert said, “Crocodile, Witney, just straight in there. Go for it.”

Watch Robert and Witney compete on season 34 of DWTS when it premieres Tuesday, September 16, live on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m ET.