Bindi Irwin’s husband Chandler Powell is reportedly at breaking point after months of quietly holding the fort at Australia Zoo while brother-in-law Robert Irwin continues to enjoy a globe-trotting rise to international fame.
According to New Idea, Chandler, 29, ended last year feeling ‘exhausted’ and increasingly overlooked, as 22-year-old Robert’s high-profile television opportunities took him from Hollywood to South Africa, leaving Chandler to shoulder much of the responsibility back home.
‘Chandler has been working nonstop to keep the zoo going,’ an insider claimed.
‘He’s exhausted and feels like he puts in the blood, sweat and tears back home to keep [Steve’s] legacy alive.’
‘Chandler busts his gut day in, day out and is so much more involved than a lot of people might realise.’
While Chandler and Robert have long been thick as thieves, insiders suggest cracks are beginning to show as Robert continues to take on an increasing number of showbiz gigs.
Chandler Powell is reportedly at breaking point after months of quietly holding the fort at Australia Zoo while brother-in-law Robert Irwin continues his rise to international fame
According to New Idea, Chandler, 29, ended last year feeling ‘exhausted’ and increasingly overlooked, as 22-year-old Robert’s high-profile television opportunities took him from Hollywood to South Africa, leaving Chandler to shoulder much of the responsibility back home. (Pictured: Robert on DWTS US with dance partner Witney Carson)Â
‘Sometimes he feels like Robert has gone a little too “Hollywood”, although Robert certainly doesn’t see it that way,’ the insider said.
Sources say the pressure mounted when Chandler, Bindi and her mother Terri were forced to step away from Australia Zoo for three months last year to support Robert on the US edition of Dancing With The Stars.Â
Bindi, caught between her husband and brother, is now trying to manage the situation as best as she can, having recently booked a Tasmania getaway for herself and Chandler to unwind.Â
According to insiders, the Wildlife Warrior is hoping the situation will ‘solve itself organically’, and remains optimistic given how close Chandler and Robert have always been.Â
Meanwhile, Robert is currently in South Africa preparing to film I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! which premieres January 18.Â
As usual, he will be hosting the reality show with long-time jungle presenter Julia Morris.
Robert first took on hosting duties in the show’s 10th season in 2024, succeeding former host Dr Chris Brown.Â
‘Sometimes he feels like Robert has gone a little too ‘Hollywood’, although Robert certainly doesn’t see it that way,’ the insider said
Sources say the pressure mounted when Chandler, Bindi and her mother Terri were forced to step away from Australia Zoo for three months last year to support Robert on DWTS
