NEED TO KNOW
- Robert Irwin and Xochitl Gomez met on Dancing With The Stars.
- Xochitl won Dancing With The Stars in 2023.
- Xochitl supported Robert at the Dancing With The Stars final.
- Robert has been single since his split from Rorie Buckey in February 2024.
Robert Irwin’s dating life is always the subject of much chatter, and he was most recently linked to American actress Xochitl Gomez.
The pair grew close on the set of Dancing With The Stars USA, with Xochitl supporting him during the final, sparking dating chatter.
Robert, 22, introduced the Marvel star, 19, to his family and she even attended the premiere of Zootopia 2 with Robert in November.
However, Robert confirmed he is currently single during an interview on the Today Show on January 12, shutting down the chatter around him and Xochitl.
Now, New Idea can reveal things cooled off between the rumoured couple due to the struggles of being 10,000 miles away, now that Robert is back Down Under.
“Robert didn’t expect this to be so hard, he’s not had a lot of experience dating, so it’s all extra intense,” an insider tells us.
“He didn’t have time to miss a beat after he wrapped shooting [DWTS], he flew straight to the jungle in South Africa. He finished that shoot just before Christmas, so he’s been back in Australia now, working at the zoo and doing some [DWTS] promotion stuff with Witney [Carson] while she’s in Australia with her husband and kids.”
The insider claims Robert is keen for Xochitl to visit him in Australia, but she’s been busy with her acting career, making it difficult for them to stay in touch.
“He’d love for [Xochitl] to come visit him in Australia, but she’s slammed with work the same way he is, so finding a way to actually be together is proving very hard,” they add.
“They Facetime every day and text all the time, but it’s obviously not the same.”
However, all might not be lost as Robert has been hit by increasing chatter that he might move to the United States, after gaining a whole new fanbase on DWTS.
“He’s desperate to see her again, he misses being in America as well, he’s definitely not finished over there,” the insider teases.
Are Robert Irwin and Xochitl Gomez dating?
Robert confirmed he is currently single as he set the record straight about his love life on January 12.
“You guys, I’m still blushing when you bring all that up. Goodness me!” he told the Today Show.
“Nothing particularly exciting to report in the love department. I wish there was more I could give you.”
He said he was open to meeting someone at Australia Zoo, like his parents, Terri and Steve Irwin, did, and his sister, Bindi.
Robert was recently hit by rumours that he was dating Xochitl, after they looked cosy backstage at DWTS in November, though neither of them ever addressed the claims.
Actress Xochitl won DWTS in 2023 and returned to the show to dance with Robert for the show’s 20th birthday episode on November 11.
During judging, Derek Hough commented on their “chemistry”, sparking online chatter, and the pair’s close friendship added to the speculation.
At the final, they then fuelled the rumours once again as they were seen looking very close, with Xochitl greeting Robert with a huge bouquet of good luck flowers outside his trailer.
He also introduced her to his family, and later, after Robert and his dance partner Witney Carson claimed the Mirror Ball trophy, he made a beeline for Xochitl.
The pair embraced in a warm hug, with sources saying their body language definitely seemed to suggest something “more intimate”. Xochitl grabbed the nape of Robert’s neck while he closed his eyes as he pulled her close.
He was also reportedly overheard telling her, “See you soon”.
After the final, Xochitl took to Instagram to share a whole host of backstage snaps from the epic night, including one of her and Robert cuddling up to one another.
But when asked if she was dating anyone just moments ahead of the final, Xochitl said she was single.
“Yes, I am,” she said with a laugh while chatting to pros Jan Ravnick and Brandon Armstrong on a TikTok livestream.
Robert hasn’t dated anyone publicly since he split from Rorie Buckey in February 2024.
He has expressed that he’s very eager to find love, but last week admitted it is “so challenging to navigate” dating in the public eye.
“Anything you do will be on TikTok the next day,” he said.
He even admitted he was looking for an American girlfriend while filming DWTS.
Speaking to E! News during his first week on the show, he said: “We are still looking for the American girl!”
He praised his dance partner, Witney, for “wingmanning” him and helping him to find a girlfriend, saying she’s like a “protective older sister”.
Witney, 31, then quipped: “You have to kind of go through a screening process, so submit your application to my DMs, then I will forward them to Bindi, and then we will see about the American tourist.”
Start your journey to find love for FREE today, with eHarmony.
