Bindi Irwin Joins ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 21

The daughter of the late Steve Irwin, who not too long ago revealed that she’s dating “someone really special,” is the first star to join the season 21 cast.

After the announcement was made today on Good Morning America, PEOPLE spoke with 17-year-old Bindi about DWtS. She’s more afraid of the judges than wrangling crocodiles during her everyday life at the Australia Zoo! Stepping away from the children’s shows that have occupied her pre-teen years, Ms. Irwin is now stepping up to explore greater challenges, starting with a stint on Dancing with the Stars.

Miz Irwin’s fellow contestants will be announced over the course of the next two weeks. It is unclear who she will partner up with at this time, though some choices include Derek Hough or Val Cmerkovskiy. Bindi said she wants to inspire others to take a leap into the unknown with her stint on DWTS.

The shows earned her the 2008 TV Week Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent and the 2008 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series.

Admitting, “It’s so different than anything I’ve ever done”.

Bindi, who has no experience with dancing, will be trading her khakis and boots for ballroom gowns.

“I’m quite nervous about this”, the Logie victor said about donning her dancing shoes.

Bindi’s father Steve was killed at age 44 by an eight-foot stingray in 2006 while filming an Ocean’s Deadliest documentary in north Queensland. ABC will air the Season 21 premiere on Monday, September 14.

Other pro dancers who will appear in the “Dancing With The Stars” season 21 cast are Artem Chigvintsev, Allison Holker, Sharna Burgess, Peta Murgatroyd and Witney Carson.

“We never want Dad’s message to die”, the future Dancing with the Stars contestant said.