It was unexpected. Tears welled up as I watched Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough gracefully perform the rumba on Dancing With the Stars, complete with the iconic “lift” from Dirty Dancing. This emotional surge was surprising, especially considering my usual tear triggers are limited to poignant commercials, baby animals in peril, and the melancholic melodies of Joni Mitchell. Here I was, a grown woman with no particular fascination for the Irwin family or celebrity dance-offs – my preference leans more towards the intricate moves of So You Think You Can Dance – finding myself captivated, even moved, by Bindi Irwin’s journey on Dancing With the Stars. What was it about this particular performance and this young woman that had me, a self-proclaimed skeptic of spectacle-driven society, eagerly awaiting weekly updates on Bindi’s dancing triumphs?
This emotional response wasn’t a one-off. Throughout this season of Dancing With the Stars, Bindi Irwin’s routines have consistently evoked a curious blend of pride, affection, and a distinct sense of relief. As she navigated her way to the finale, emerging as a fan favorite among the final contestants, this feeling intensified. The relief stems from witnessing Bindi seemingly on track to successfully navigate the treacherous path of “former child stardom,” a feat not often achieved by those who grow up under the relentless glare of the public eye.
This almost paternal or maternal response to seeing former child stars transition into adulthood is a peculiar phenomenon. I recall watching Cameron Crowe’s “We Bought A Zoo” and being unexpectedly overcome with emotion at the sight of Patrick Fugit, who once played the bright-eyed young journalist William Miller in “Almost Famous,” all grown up. The urge to rush to the screen, touch his projected face, and exclaim, “Last time I saw you, you were just a little kid!” was almost overwhelming.
The challenges of growing up in the spotlight were poignantly discussed by actor Jackie Earle Haley in a Washington Post profile following his comeback role in “Little Children.” He reflected, “When you’re a child actor and you’re a celebrity, your identity gets attached to that.” He further elaborated on the fragile nature of self-esteem built on fleeting fame: “My self-esteem got attached to this thing that wasn’t real, and when that stopped, you’re stuck with an identity that doesn’t exist. That’s a deep hole to climb out of.”
Navigating this “deep hole” while also living under the shadow of her famous father’s tragic and enduring death adds another layer of complexity to Bindi Irwin’s journey. Her contemporary dance tribute to Steve Irwin on Dancing With the Stars was particularly poignant. She spoke of his legacy with the confident affection we’ve come to expect, but the dance concluded with her visibly breaking down, overcome with emotion. This raw vulnerability was deeply affecting and underscored the immense personal journey she was undertaking on this public platform.
The success stories of former child stars like Natalie Portman and Joseph Gordon Levitt are exceptions rather than the rule. In today’s unforgiving celebrity news cycle, it seems almost impossible to transition from a childhood career to adulthood without significant public scrutiny and personal struggles. Time and constant media attention have not been kind to many former child stars, including Haley Joel Osment, Jake Lloyd, Amanda Bynes, and Britney Spears, among countless others.
Writing for Salon after Amanda Bynes’s highly publicized struggles, Prachi Gupta highlighted the immense uphill battle faced by former child stars as they mature. “There’s a reason that successful child stars are seen as the exception, not the norm. Who could reasonably expect Britney Spears to be a functional adult when at 16 she was the world’s No 1 sex symbol?” This question resonates deeply when considering the pressures and unrealistic expectations placed upon young performers.
Until recently, Bindi Irwin’s trajectory could have been uncertain. After all, her 2006 rap single, “Trouble In The Jungle,” remains a memorable, if slightly awkward, artifact of her early fame. It’s plausible that her appearance on Dancing With the Stars is part of a carefully orchestrated public relations strategy, designed to smoothly transition her from adolescence back into the public eye as a capable and beloved young adult.
However, despite Bindi’s undeniable poise on the dance floor and in front of the cameras, it’s the behind-the-scenes glimpses that truly solidify the feeling of “she made it!”. These unscripted moments reveal a teenager who is not solely defined by carefully managed PR. Watching her playfully interact with Derek Hough, attempting the famous lift in what appears to be a relaxed setting outside the studio, exclaiming “oh, jeez!” and laughing freely, it becomes evident that Bindi Irwin possesses a genuine spirit and resilience that bodes well for her future.
And one thing is certain: as Bindi Irwin takes to the dance floor in the Dancing With the Stars finale, emotions will undoubtedly run high. Her journey on the show has been more than just a dance competition; it’s been a public coming-of-age story, filled with vulnerability, strength, and a captivating charm that has resonated with audiences, including this initially skeptical viewer.
