'It was incredible': Bindi Irwin talks about meeting boyfriend Chandler Powell for the first time at Australia Zoo... joking she thought 'this guy from Florida's okay'

By Sangeeta Kocharekar For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 23:24 EST, 20 October 2015 | Updated: 14:06 EST, 21 October 2015

Bindi Irwin's relationship has been thrust into the public eye in recent weeks as she continues to earn top scores for her US Dancing With The Stars performances.

But the 17-year-old Australian and her American boyfriend, Chandler Powell, met in 2013, away from cameras.

In a televised interview after her show-stopping performance on Monday night's show, the teen conservationist discussed the very moment the pair crossed paths. 

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'This guy from Florida's OK': Bindi Irwin talked about meeting boyfriend Chandler Powell for the first time at Australia Zoo in a televised interview after her performance on US Dancing With The Stars on Monday night

'This guy from Florida's OK': Bindi Irwin talked about meeting boyfriend Chandler Powell for the first time at Australia Zoo in a televised interview after her performance on US Dancing With The Stars on Monday night

'It was incredible', said said, adding with a joke that she thought 'this guy from Florida's okay'.

After receiving a perfect score for her routine from 1980s hit film Dirty Dancing, the daughter of late Steve Irwin sat down with her professional wakeboarder beau and a Kiwi presenter.

The host prodded the couple for details on how the athlete supports his girlfriend, and how they met.

'How's it been for you, Bindi, to have Chandler here as a supporter throughout this process?' he asked them.

'I have to say good things!' Bindi joked to her boyfriend as she gave him a squeeze. 

See the latest news on Dancing with the Stars contestants and performances

'It was incredible': The 17-year-old said it was unbelievable that the couple's relationship began when Bindi gave Chandler and his family a tour of the Australian Zoo in November 2013

'It was incredible': The 17-year-old said it was unbelievable that the couple's relationship began when Bindi gave Chandler and his family a tour of the Australian Zoo in November 2013

Halfway around the world: The professional wakeboarder had been in Australia for a competition and after he returned to his home of Florida, Chandler continued to keep in touch with Bindi

Halfway around the world: The professional wakeboarder had been in Australia for a competition and after he returned to his home of Florida, Chandler continued to keep in touch with Bindi

Cheeky: The couple were jokingly asked to answer personal questions about their relationship, such as 'who's more sarcastic?' and 'who posts more on Instagram?'

Cheeky: The couple were jokingly asked to answer personal questions about their relationship, such as 'who's more sarcastic?' and 'who posts more on Instagram?'

Perfect ten: Earlier in the night, the teen conservationist re-enacted a routine from 1980s film Dirty Dancing with show partner Derek Hough, which earned them top scores

Perfect ten: Earlier in the night, the teen conservationist re-enacted a routine from 1980s film Dirty Dancing with show partner Derek Hough, which earned them top scores

'I'm so lucky though, because Chandler's just always there,' she told the broadcaster, before telling her boyfriend: 'You actually make a really good cup of tea at night'. 

The couple were then asked by the host how they met.

'I was actually in Australia,' Chandler began, describing his trip Down Under in November 2013.

'I’m a professional wakeboarder. I was there for a wakeboard competition,' he continued. 

'We were stopping by the area where the zoo was so I thought it would be awesome to go visit Australia Zoo. And she ended up giving me a tour and we ended up staying in touch ever since.'   

Chivalrous: In her interview Bindi also said she appreciated the fact that her boyfriend could make a good cup of tea

Chivalrous: In her interview Bindi also said she appreciated the fact that her boyfriend could make a good cup of tea

Appreciative: Bindi also called herself lucky because her boyfriend was 'always there' 

Appreciative: Bindi also called herself lucky because her boyfriend was 'always there' 

Amateur dancer: The bubbly brunette has continuously been earning top marks for her dance performances on the show

Amateur dancer: The bubbly brunette has continuously been earning top marks for her dance performances on the show

The television star, who is partnered with professional dancer Derek Hough for the competition also spoke to Us Weekly magazine about her 18-year-old boyfriend.   

'He tracked me down through the zoo and was like "If she doesn't want to stay in contact that's totally fine, but here's my e-mail."

'We stayed in touch and became great friends. I can't really say when it turned into more. It just evolved over time and bloomed into this wonderful thing.'

Bindi also said her man was 'real gentleman' and 'so sweet.'

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