Robert Irwin and Xochitl Gomez: A Timeline of the Dating Rumors

Robert Irwin may have just won the Dancing With the Stars Mirrorball trophy, but did he also get the girl?

Word on the internet is that Robert Irwin, the 21-year-old son of the late Australian wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin, might be dating 19-year-old Marvel actor Xochitl Gomez, who won the competition in 2023. But where did these rumors come from?

Well, in honor of the program’s 20th anniversary, DWTS introduced a twist to this season’s relay round: Instead of performing with their professional dance partners, this year’s celebs would be paired up with a former Mirrorball champion. Irwin was paired with Gomez for a jive, and their chemistry was immediately clear to the judges…and their fans.

Sparks have been known to fly between pros and partners on this show, so it’s no surprise Dancing With the Stars viewers have become invested in Robert Irwin and Xochitl Gomez’s continued friendship. Here’s everything we know about the dating rumors, with the most recent updates up top.

November 25, 2025 (evening): Robert is crowned the winner of Dancing With the Stars season 34 after scoring 89 out of 90 possible points over the course of three dances with his partner, Witney Carson. “I am so incredibly proud of you two,” Gomez wrote over an Instagram Story video of the big moment. “What a season!❤️”

Of course, Gomez was also on sight to congratulate Robert with a hug. “See you soon,” Irwin reportedly told Gomez during their embrace, per People, who shared a clip of the moment on Instagram.

November 25, 2025 (afternoon): Prior to the finale, Gomez arrives on the set of DWTS with flowers for Irwin, per photos shared by TMZ.

November 23, 2025: In a New York Times profile, Irwin says dating is “challenging to navigate” in an era where “anything you do will be on TikTok the next day.”

November 17, 2025: Irwin responds to judge Derek Hough’s comments on their chemistry during a chat with @chicksintheoffice. “How do you feel about Derek calling out you and Xochitl’s chemistry like that in front of everybody,” one of the hosts asks, adding, “Were you like, ‘Dude, don’t blow up my spot like that!?” The other host then described Hough’s comment as “such an older brother move.”

“Oh, Derek is so like that,” Irwin replied. “It’s so funny but it feels like that in the ballroom, this like little family vibe.” He also made sure to gush that Gomez is “such an incredible dancer” while being complimented by Carson. You can watch the clip here.

November 13, 2025: Irwin expertly dodges a question about his relationship status with Gomez without denying the dating rumor. You can watch the TMZ video here.

November 11, 2025: Gomez and Irwin perform a jive to “Dance with Me Tonight” by Olly Murswere during the relay round of Dancing With the Stars’ 20th anniversary episode, competing directly against Alix Earle and last year’s winner, Joey Graziadei.

During judging, Derek Hough called attention to their “chemistry” with a lot of enthusiasm, sparking laughs from the dancers…and a lot of online speculation. Fans were quick to pick up on the interaction, as well as the reactions from Carson and season 21 winner Bindi Irwin, who was supporting her brother in the audience. “Bindi and Witney looks like they know something we dont 😂,” one user commented on TikTok.

In fact, here’s what Carson had to say about the duo in the group’s post-dance interview with Deadline: “I never felt more old than when they were in the studio,” she said. “There were just lots of giggles and lots of…I don’t even know. But they are extremely hard workers and they got the job done.” It’s the little head shake for me!

Gomez also shared some bloopers on TikTok…and the pair certainly looked like they were having fun together.

November 10, 2025: Irwin posts a TikTok with Gomez in the same outfits as their last video, but with Irwin wearing Gomez’s glasses. “I fear these are no longer my glasses lol,” she comments on the video, to which he replies, “Nope sorry 😂.”

November 8, 2025: Gomez posts a TikTok with Irwin during practice.

Early November 2025: Trained by Carson, Irwin and Gomez practice their jive for their actual performance on DWTS season 34. “The thing that Xochitl brings is so much energy and fun and passion. It feels like we’re so on the same wavelength when it comes to approaching the jive,” Robert later tells Deadline of training with Gomez. “We’re like, ‘Make sure it’s really fun and then Witney can come in and make sure your toes are pointed. It’s perfect.”

This article may be updated.