Bindi Irwin is all grown up and competing on DWTS today, but back in 2002, she just wanted to be like her dad, The Crocodile Hunter.
Bindi Irwin is all grown up and currently competing on Dancing With the Stars, but back in 2002, she just wanted to be like her dad, Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin.
"I'm going to be just like my daddy," a then 3-year-old Bindi gushed to ET on the way to the premiere of her father's movie, The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course.
WATCH: How Bindi Irwin Hopes to Honor Dad Steve Irwin on 'Dancing With the Stars'
Only ET was with the family during the ride to the premiere, where Bindi and Steve's unbreakable bond was on full display.
"You're a little beauty," Steve lovingly told his daughter. "Do you mind if we keep you?"
In the video, Bindi happily nods her head, yes.
When we caught up with Steve again months after the premiere, he echoed Bindi's wish to be like him.
WATCH: Bindi Irwin on Boyfriend's Support During 'DWTS'
"We called her Bindi after the feistiest female crocodile that I've got at my zoo, and she's like Mowgli -- she's one with the animals," Steve told ET. "I was very lucky in my childhood in that my dad and my mom nurtured my instincts with wildlife and I grew up to be the wildlife warrior that I am, and so I reckon Bindi is going to follow in my footsteps."
Bindi, now 17, shared with ET in July that she still plans on following in her dad's footsteps and continuing the family's work at the Australia Zoo, which was founded by her grandparents, Bob and Lyn Irwin, in 1970. The zoo is currently owned by Bindi's mom, Terri, and features many "amazing creatures" such as koalas, tortoises and lemurs.
Nine years after Steve's tragic death, Bindi, keeps her father's spirit alive by paying homage to him on DWTS.
WATCH: Bindi Irwin Shares Intimate Photo as She Cuddles Up to 'Amazing' Boyfriend
"He is my super hero and he always will be," she told ET during a dance rehearsal with pro partner Derek Hough. "He inspired so many people that we want to make sure his legacy lives on through all of us."
You can watch Bindi make her father proud on Dancing With the Stars, airing Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.