In the latest episode of the Not Gonna Lie (NGL) podcast, host Kylie Kelce welcomed a very special guest from Down Under: wildlife advocate and photographer Robert Irwin. While their worlds of professional football and animal conservation might seem miles apart, the two quickly found common ground in a role they both cherish—being the “fun” relative to a new generation of icons.
The Prince Charming of the Australia Zoo
The conversation kicked off with a viral moment that captured hearts worldwide. Kylie, a mother of four, praised Robert’s TikTok featuring his niece, Grace Warrior Irwin. Robert recounted a magical Halloween where he coordinated with the Dancing with the Stars wardrobe team to surprise Grace.
Dressed as Prince Charming, Robert walked through the door to find Grace in her Cinderella costume. He noted it was the first time he had ever seen her go completely shy. The duo spent the evening trick-or-treating, with “Prince Charming” bravely checking “scary” houses before “Cinderella” would approach for her candy. Robert expressed his joy in watching Grace light up, much like he did when watching his sister Bindi on the show years ago.
The “Funcle” Bond: Robert vs. Uncle Trav
The discussion shifted to the “Funcle” (Fun Uncle) phenomenon. Kylie noted that she and Bindi Irwin had previously bonded over the similarities between Robert and Kylie’s brother-in-law, Travis Kelce.
According to Kylie, “Uncle Trav” is on the exact same wavelength as Robert. Whether it’s flipping the kids around, getting on the floor to play Barbies, or dancing until they tell him to stop, Travis is fully committed to the bit. Robert agreed, noting that being a “Funcle” is the greatest job on earth. They both joked about “Funcle privilege”—the sacred right to let kids have chocolate or cookies before dinner, much to the chagrin of the parents.
Crocodiles and Otters: A Wild Education
Robert shared how he’s already teaching Grace the “rules of the zoo,” like which snakes are safe to touch and which are venomous. The talk naturally turned to the Irwin family’s famous rite of passage: feeding crocodiles. While Robert started at age ten, he expects Bindi might make Grace wait until she’s a teenager.
Before wrapping up, Robert left Kylie with a “savage” animal fact to share with Travis Kelce, who apparently has a soft spot for otters. While otters look adorable, Robert warned that they are “absolute machines” and “intune hunters” with some of the sharpest teeth in the animal kingdom. Robert warned not to mess with them, to which Kylie joked that they have that “find out energy.”
Whether it’s the plains of Kansas City or the bush of Australia, it’s clear that family—and a little bit of “Funcle” mischief—is a universal language.
