Bindi Irwin Calls Derek Hough & Mark Ballas ‘More Than’ Family After DWTS

The 17-year-old has gained three ideal scores in the competition so far, including yesterday’s contemporary jazz routine which she performed with Derek Hough and Mark Ballas.

Ironically, Bindi and Derek’s BFF-ness seems pretty platonic, and there is a huge age gap.

The Aussie teen has grown up in the public eye thanks to the documented conservation efforts of her father, and is now receiving more worldwide attention than ever as a top-rating constant on this season’s Dancing With the Stars US.

Steve Irwin, the popular television personality and wildlife conservationist, died at 44 in 2006 after an encounter with a stingray while filming, noted Us Weekly.

Three dance routines were made by the pairs, with the first being an individual routine, then a trio performance, and finally a dance-off.

Bindi and her “DWTS” 2015 partner Derek Hough showed off their salsa moves while dancing to Sia’s “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile“. You ARE family. I love you both more than words! It was an absolute honour to learn and dance with you both, ‘ she said.

Carrie Ann Inaba added: “Be careful you are so clean but sometimes we want to see the edgy come out”.

Terri Irwin told DWTS host Erin Andrews: “I think she’s definitely growing up and Derek has a lot to do with that journey and it’s been just handsome”. “It was great. We got to surprise her and I was so happy”.

Still, Irwin continues to stand by her boyfriend of over a year.

Powell, a pro wakeboarder, is the one who has been by Bindi’s side during her grueling “DWTS” rehearsals, binding her feet and even enduring the time one of her toenails fell off and whizzed past him. A soul who makes me smile no matter where I am in the world, despite any amount of distance.

Bindi, who’s competing on ABC’s Los Angeles-based “Dancing with the Stars”, encouraged her father’s fans “on the other side of the world” to celebrate the occasion Sunday.

Bindi continued, “And to everyone, thank you so much for your support”.

“It was incredible to get to tell the story that Derek created for us this week”.