Slithering supporter! Bindi Irwin brought one of her slippery friends to rehearsal for Dancing With the Stars on Friday, Oct. 9. The animal activist, 17, introduced a giant anaconda to her temporary dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy while going over her cha cha routine for Monday’s live show.
As seen in the exclusive photos, Season 20 champ Chmerkovskiy looked terrified of his partner’s serpent friend. The anaconda was easily longer in length than Bindi, the daughter of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.
But that didn’t stop her from posing with the reptile, who wrapped itself around her neck.
The Aussie star also introduced the snake to fellow contestant Alexa PenaVega, who was practicing with Irwin’s usual dance pro Derek Hough. This week the contestants have been challenged with switching partners.
The anaconda isn’t the only supporter Irwin’s gotten in her time as a fan-favorite on the ABC competition series. Her longtime boyfriend Chandler Powell also flew out in late September to root for his love.
“Bindi is crushing it and I loved seeing the whole show!” Powell told Us late last month. “I loved seeing everyone dance. I expected her to do really well but she is exceeding my expectations! I am really proud of her.”
