Did Robert Irwin not only win the Mirrorball Trophy but find love on Dancing With The Stars?
Fans originally thought the wildlife conservationist had something going on with troupe member Hailey Bills during the season, but now he has sparked romance rumors with another woman — fellow DWTS winner Xochitl Gomez! You may recall the two met during Season 34 when they were paired for the relay round on the 20th Birthday Party episode. Everyone noticed the chemistry between them on the dance floor instantly! And outside of the ballroom? It sounded like sparks were flying a bit!
Xochitl gushed about working with the television personality to Entertainment Tonight afterward, saying:
“I think people know this already, but just how energetic he is. We had a rehearsal without Witney because they were filming something special,” she recalled to the outlet. “It was just Robert and I for three hours, and ‘Oh my God!’ Witney taught him a thing or two because he was drilling me in the nicest way possible. He’s like, ‘I think you need to pick it up a little more.’ I was like, ‘Oh! Well, you’re talking to a former dance champion but I’ve never danced this style so you can teach me.’”
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Robert also had nothing but great things to say about the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness actress. But when asked if they were an item by TMZ last month, he refused to answer but expressed:
“Oh my gosh, we had the best time [and] that dance was so much fun. It was so cool to do two such distinct dances. One that was really slow and heartfelt, and then the dance with Xochitl, which was just like energy and fun. She’s the best. It’s been really, really great.”
And weeks later, the 21-year-old continued to play coy about his love life. He told The New York Times on Sunday:
“Holy moly, that’s so challenging to navigate. Anything you do will be on TikTok the next day. I never change what I say, what I do, who I am one bit, wherever I am [and I have] no persona to hide behind. It’s just me, and I stand by who I am.”
Flash forward to the DWTS finale, and the romance rumors exploded! Ahead of the live show, Xochitl was caught in photos obtained by TMZ giving flowers to Robert — and they looked pretty cozy backstage! She was seen laughing and hugging him outside the trailers. Take a look HERE. According to eyewitnesses, The Baby-Sitters Club alum even hung out with his family backstage! Oh?!
That same day, she continued to show support for Robert online. She took to Instagram Stories to urge fans to vote for him, saying to “Text ROBERT to 21523.” She also posted his and Witney Carson’s freestyle routine, saying:
“I am so incredibly proud of you two. What a season!”
Hmm. When Robert won the show, she took to Instagram again to post photos and videos, including a cozy snap of them together. Another clip heard her screaming when his name was called out as the winner. But the most adorable part of the post? She shared a pic of a much-younger Robert holding his sister Bindi Irwin’s Mirrorball Trophy from when she won Season 21 ten years ago. Swipe to ch-ch-check it out (below):
That post was all confirmation fans needed! A lot of people said it felt so “girlfriend codded,” writing:
“Soft launch?”
“Y’all are totally dating”
“So you and Robert together?”
“THAT LAST PIC THO? YOU CANNOT TELL ME THAT THERE’S NOTHING GOING ON”
“Lol this was all the confirmation that I need and I love it”
“Posting the baby picture is sooo girlfriend coded”
“That last picture of Robert is so cute and so him! Now I’m wondering how you got that.”
Yeah, how did she get the pic? LOLz! However, she got the photo, it is not because she is Robert’s girlfriend. Yeah, we hate to break it to you. That’s what a new report is saying. A source insisted to Entertainment Tonight on Thursday that he and Xochitl are only pals:
“Robert and Xochitl are friends. Robert is a lot younger than the rest of the cast on DWTS and was happy to find someone closer to his own age on the show.”
Don’t believe it? During a TikTok livestream, pros Jan Ravnik and Brandon Armstrong asked Xochitl if she was single. And her response? She giggled before replying:
“Yes, I am. Yes, yes, I am.”
@krunk008 Jan and Brandon interview Xochitl on TikTok Live before the finale. #DWTS #ballroom #JanRavnik #brandonarmstrong #xochitlgomez
Ugh! You never know, though! Things could change! We’ve seen friends turn to lovers before!
Reactions, Perezcious readers? Do you think Robert and Xochitl could become more than friends? Let us know in the comments!
[Image via Robert Irwin/Xochitl Gomez/Instagram]