Despite her youth Bindi Irwin, daughter of famed TV conservationist Steve Irwin, has proved herself to be a natural in front of the cameras as she builds on her late dad's legacy. The eight-year-old made her small screen debut on Thursday as she talked about animals to chat show host Ellen DeGeneres.
Dressed just like her dad in top-to-toe khaki, and showing his legendary confidence with the animal world, Bindi introduced Ellen and the audience to a blue-tongued lizard. "This is Spanky, he's ten years old," she said. "I just love animals. My dad really brought it out in me," she added.
The Aussie youngster is appearing on US TV to launch her own career and help promote Tourism Australia's 'G'Day USA' week. She is also to star in her own series, Bindi, The Jungle Girl, which will be broadcast on the Discovery Kids network later this year. "I want to be like my dad, I want him to be proud of me," she says.
Bindi first stepped into the limelight when she made a moving speech at her dad's memorial service last year after he was killed by a stingray while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef.
"Her dad taught her so much about wildlife and working to cameras," says Steve's manager and friend John Stainton. "It's a part of her life, it's like ballet to another girl."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
