Bindi Irwin “must prove her father Steve is dead” before she can be paid.

She has had her contract rejected.

You’d be hard pressed to find a person in the US or Australia who doesn’t know that the father of Bindi Irwin, Steve Irwin is dead.  Yet in a strange legal twist the 17-year old has been told to prove just that.

TMZ reports that in order to be paid for her work on Dancing With the Stars the young Australian must prove her father cannot sign a form stating he gives up his rights to her earnings.

The 17-year-old and partner Derek Hough are one of the favourites to win Dancing with the Stars in the US.

Under a legal requirement for the show submitted a “minor’s contract” to an L.A. Superior Court judge as Bindi is a minor at 17.

She doesn’t turn 18 until next July.

Her mother, Terri was required to sign a form agreeing to give up all rights to any money her daughter will earn from the show. TMZ claims that the judge also asked for the same release from Bindi’s dad and without proof of Steve giving up his rights to Bindi’s money, the judge ruled that ‘the court is unable to find that it is in the best interest of the minor to be bound by the terms of the contract.’

So the 17-year old is in limbo unable to be paid.

TMZ does not make it clear if lawyers can simply submit a death certificate or if the judge is unaware of Steve Irwin’s death by a stingray in 2006 and that Bindi herself read a touching tribute to her father at his funeral watched globally by millions.

TMZ reports the 17-year old has made $US230 000 ($320,000) by making it to Week 8 of the series. She was guaranteed a starting amount of $US125 000, a figure currently increasing by $30 000 for each week she makes it through.

In the final two weeks that number increases to $US50 000 per week.

Bindi’s performance and down-to-earth hardworking attitude has captured the hearts of audiences firmly cementing her as the viewer’s choice.

Her last dance, a tribute to Grace Kelly provoked this comment from judge Julianne Hough.

“When I watch you I am trying to find something wrong, because I’m like ‘I can’t keep giving this girl 10s all the time’.”

Watch Bindi Irwin’s latest performance on Dancing With the Stars.