A STRANGE PATTERN EMERGES…: Robert Irwin faces bɑckℓɑsh as fans point to a curious Aussie trait he may have inherited from Steve Irwin — sparking fresh debate over his rise to fɑme 😲

Robert was just two years old when his father passed away, but he’s facing a similar Australian problem to the Crocodile Hunter.

Despite Robert Irwin being loved around the world, it seems some Aussies don’t think too kindly of him, and it begs the question: why?

An expert told Yahoo Lifestyle it’s a phenomenon his late father, Steve, faced as Australia caught up to the love felt for the Crocodile Hunter in America.

Ahead of his appearance on MasterChef this week, there was a plethora of nasty social media comments from locals complaining about him being on another TV show.

Some called the soon-to-be Logies host a “show pony”, “cringe”, and that they would rather “pick fluff out of their navel” than watch him on the Channel 10 program, while others implied he would do anything for a moment in the spotlight.

There were some comments that were downright disgusting that I won’t give air.

There’s no denying he’s seemingly everywhere at the moment: he was on Dancing With The Stars in the US, I’m A Celebrity, and was this week announced as the host of the 2026 Logies.

But the vitriol given to a 22-year-old was bizarre and sad to me.

Aussie media commentator, Jo Casamento, told Yahoo Lifestyle that, interestingly, Robert’s late dad, Steve, faced similar criticisms early in his career.

“His huge energy and enthusiasm were embraced overseas, particularly in America, before Australians caught up,” she said.

“What some people saw as ‘too much’ eventually became the exact thing we loved about him.

“Robert has clearly inherited that same Irwin enthusiasm.

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“Some people mistake positivity for being fake or over the top because we’re not used to seeing that level of excitement anymore.”

I am not saying that all Australians are completely off the wildlife warrior.

Many said he was a brilliant addition to MasterChef, and the show’s ratings went up from last week.

But I was absolutely gobsmacked to see any negativity toward him at all. Genuinely, this was my favourite episode of the season.

Why do some Aussies dislike Robert Irwin?

You don’t have to like the guy, but considering he is rarely seen without a smile on his face, and he brings a refreshing positivity and energy to whatever he’s doing, it’s beggar’s belief why he cops so much hate.

Has Australia’s tall poppy syndrome gone too far?

Are we seriously starting to resent a 22-year-old for his success?

Jo told Yahoo Lifestyle that Australians sometimes need the rest of the world to tell us when someone is brilliant.

“We have a bad habit of cutting down our tall poppies — and Robert Irwin might be the latest example,” she said.

“I think Robert Irwin is a really interesting example of Australia’s complicated relationship with fame.”

Before his stint on MasterChef, while Aussies were competing for how mean they could be about the 22-year-old’s guest judge spot, people in the US were almost climbing over themselves to watch the episode.

“I wish I could watch it in America, but I can’t since I don’t live in Australia,” one said.

“I would love for Robert to come and judge America’s version of MasterChef,” another said.

It’s no surprise Americans love Robert, given his mother is from Oregon.

He’s also built up a lot of star power, particularly thanks to his Dancing With The Stars win.

In fact, his star power is so big in the States that publicist to the stars Max Markson told Yahoo Lifestyle that American networks would be willing to pay as much as $50 million to have Robert on their shows.

What Aussies should remember about Robert Irwin before criticising him

Aussies could have grown too comfortable with Robert because he’s grown up in front of our eyes.

After 22 years in the public consciousness, some might mistake him for being someone decades older than he is.

Jo said it’s worth remembering what you were like at his age before saying something mean online.

“I think people forget he’s only 22 and has spent his entire life growing up in the public eye, while also carrying the weight of one of Australia’s most famous names,” she said.

“Most people are still figuring themselves out at that age — he’s doing it with millions of people watching and commenting.

“And doing it with such grace.

“We love a larrikin, we love the humble ‘good bloke’, and sometimes when someone is very polished, very positive, a little over the top and suddenly everywhere, our tall poppy syndrome kicks in, and we start looking for reasons to cut them down.”