Robert Irwin is opening up about the challenges of dating in the public eye. The “Dancing With the Stars” winner’s comments about relationships come amid rumors that he and Xochitl Gomez are an item.
Robert Irwin Reveals the Biggest Challenge of Dating
In a November 2025 interview with The New York Times, Irwin shared his thoughts on dating as someone who has spent his life in the spotlight.
“I never change what I say, what I do, who I am one bit, wherever I am,” he said, noting that he has “no persona to hide behind.”
Irwin added, “It’s just me, and I stand by who I am.”
Of his dating life, the Australian conservationist explained, “Holy moly, that’s so challenging to navigate,” adding that “anything you do will be on TikTok the next day.”
Early in the season, Irwin’s partner, Witney Carson, addressed the flood of messages she received from fans wanting to date the conservationist.
“Girls, I love ya, thank you for the applications through somehow my email and flooding the DMs,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories at the time. “If I could line you all up with Robert, I would because you’re all 10/10 perfect cuties.”
She continued, “We are currently dancing our lives away so we are unable to respond. Robert for ‘The Bachelor’?! Idk, this is too stressful for me to handle lol!”
Robert Irwin & Xochitl Gomez Romance Rumors Have Been Swirling
Dating rumors have been flying since Gomez, who won “DWTS” season 32, and Irwin danced the jive together during the show’s 20th birthday episode.
The dating speculation was further fueled when Gomez was spotted giving Irwin flowers before the “DWTS” finale and the two later shared a hug after he won the competition.
“So proud of you two! Congratulations,” Gomez wrote on one of Irwin’s Instagram posts following the win.
During the show’s TikTok livestream ahead of the season 34 finale, dance pros Jan Ravnick and Brandon Armstrong asked Gomez if she was single.
She giggled and responded, “Yes, I am. Yes, yes, I am.”
During a November 2025 interview with TMZ, Irwin reportedly “sidestepped the romance questions like a pro.”
He did share his thoughts on Gomez, however, noting of their performance together, “Oh my gosh, we had the best time. That dance was so much fun.”
Irwin continued, “It was so cool to do two, such distinct dances. Like, one that was really slow and heartfelt. And then the dance with Xochitl, which was just like energy and fun.”
He added, “She’s the best. It’s been really, really great.”
