Robert Irwin, Australia’s golden wildlife prince, has just delivered a thirst trap so powerful it may need conservation status. The 21-year-old son of the legendary Steve Irwin ditched his usual khakis for some barely-there Bonds undies, a few reptiles, and a whole lot of queer-approved heat.
The new “Made For Down Under” campaign from Aussie underwear label Bonds, now hitting U.S. shelves, features Irwin wrangling snakes, lizards, and spiders—all while serving body-ody-ody. And in case you were wondering: yes, this includes an actual snake, not just a cheeky euphemism, though fans on social media are clearly thrilled by both interpretations.
“I’m surrounded by spiders and snakes—except this time I’m in my undies,” Irwin told People. “That’s the only difference.” He called the decision to join the campaign an “immediate yes,” crediting his appetite for the unpredictable and exhilarating. Apparently, baring it all ranks higher on the fear scale than wrestling crocodiles, with Irwin confessing: “Getting your gear off is way scarier than wrangling a croc.”
The Internet Can’t Keep It Together
Predictably, the LGBTQ internet exploded with praise, memes, and downright unholy thirst. “ROBERT IRWIN. I LOVE YOUR SNAKE,” read one viral comment. Another chimed in with “Damn. That’s one lucky lizard.” We don’t know about reptiles, but queer Twitter has never felt more blessed.
For LGBTQ audiences—who know how to appreciate a confident man in briefs and an even more confident sense of self—this campaign hits all the right notes. Irwin may not be explicitly part of the LGBTQ community, but his joyful, body-positive energy and comfort with his own image earn him honorary status on the queer ally leaderboard. Representation doesn’t always have to be about identity—it’s also about the messages of self-expression, openness, and not taking yourself too seriously.
Bonds, Briefs, and Breaking Boundaries
This campaign marks a new step not just for Irwin but for Bonds, too—a brand with a history of LGBTQ-inclusive ads. In a cultural climate where underwear shoots can still be weirdly political, seeing someone as wholesome as Irwin embrace this kind of playful, camp-adjacent imagery is more than just hot—it’s refreshing. It opens doors for more mainstream figures to shed the stigma (and their shirts) and remind us all that embracing vulnerability is sexy.
Whether you’re in it for the fashion, the fauna, or just to see what the son of a zookeeper looks like in boxer briefs—there’s something oddly unifying about the buzz around this campaign. And let’s be honest: LGBTQ audiences have always known how to spot a star when they see one.
So thank you, Robert. For the snakes. For the smiles. And for reminding us all that sometimes, Down Under is exactly where we need to be looking.