Bindi Irwin Dishes on Walking the Red Carpet, Carrying on Dad Steve's Legacy on Good Morning America

Australian TV star announced a new initiative, Generation Nature, with SeaWorld on GMA

By Zach Johnson Mar 06, 2014 3:34 PMTags
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The famous Irwins stopped by Good Morning America Thursday, where the family opened up about the late Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin and Bindi Irwin's new business partnership with SeaWorld.

Bindi, 15, joined mom Terri Irwin, 49, and brother Robert Irwin, 10, for the live interview in New York City's Times Square with co-anchor Robin Roberts. "I'm incredibly proud of them," Terri said of her two children, whose father died in 2006 after being killed by a stingray. "They're just amazing kids and we're so blessed to get to continue to do our wildlife work together as a family. It's very special."

Next, Bindi brought Magellanic penguins on set. "They are gorgeous. We love them desperately. But if you'd like, can I make my big announcement?" she asked Roberts, who happily obliged. "We are so thrilled to finally be joining SeaWorld on a brand new initiative called Generation Nature, which is all about encouraging kids to get involved and become game changers for wildlife and wild places."

Robert is also getting more involved with the family business. "I've got brand new books, I'm starting a TV series, so I'm really excited, definitely," he said. "We've always grown up around cameras and around animals, so we absolute love it. It's so good to be able to get our message across. It's great."

Bindi turned heads on the red carpet in January, and she's having fun in the spotlight. "It was very exciting," she said of wearing "a nice dress" and getting glammed up for the AACTA Awards. "I had a good time. So I'm following in mom's footsteps because she is gorgeous. I'm having a lot of fun."

More importantly, Bindi hopes to extend her father's legacy. "I'm so excited to be carrying on in dad's footsteps and making sure that everything he worked so hard for continues for the generations to come," she said. Once again referring to her SeaWorld partnership, the Australian TV star continued, "That's why I'm thrilled to be empowering kids, because as kids we are the next generation, we're the next voters, we're the next decision makers, and the next generation to really be changing the world.

Terri couldn't be prouder. "I think sometimes kids feel like they're a very small voice in a very big world, and so it's just awesome to bring penguins along and say, 'Here's how you can help.' Bindi has a real passion about America as well. Steve and I did a lot of filming here, and we want to do more for the wildlife in the United States as well as around the world. This is a great way to accomplish that," she said.