Robert Irwin Sparks Dating Rumors Again After This Hollywood Star Was Seen Beside Him Twice During 'DWTS' Finale

Robert Irwin turned heads during the "Dancing with the Stars" finale — and not just for his winning moves. Fans were quick to speculate when a familiar Hollywood face appeared by his side.

On November 25, 2025, wildlife warrior and beloved television personality Robert Irwin captivated audiences with his appearance in the "Dancing with the Stars (DWTS)" season finale. But while fans were dazzled by his dance moves, it was who he was spotted with before and after the performance that truly set tongues wagging.

A Barefoot Beauty by His Side Before the Show

In a scene straight out of a Hollywood rom-com, a publication released two candid outdoor photos of Robert dressed in all black — a shiny button-down shirt, matching trousers, and white sneakers standing with his back to the cameras.

In his hands, a delicate bouquet of flowers. But it was his guest who stole the spotlight. Xochitl Gomez, the stunning "Avengers" actress, was seen laughing with her arms crossed, barefoot and carefree in a black halter-neck ankle-length dress with a matching bag slung over her arm.

She threw her head back in laughter as Robert struck a playful pose, balancing on one leg. The publication had no doubts, declaring, "Robert Irwin and Xochitl Gomez are doing little to dispel rumors they're dating ... in fact, it's quite the opposite ... because they were spotted hanging out before his big 'Dancing With The Stars' finale."

From Finale to Full-on Frenzy

Adding fuel to the fire, another outlet shared a clip of the 21-year-old Australian celebrating his season 34 win, Mirrorball Trophy in hand. But fans couldn't help but notice who he rushed to: none other than Xochitl.

The moment they embraced — long, heartfelt, and filled with whispers — was caught on camera. Fans immediately went wild. One stunned person exclaimed, "[Expletive], y'all really not gone give them their privacy 😂 about this dating rumors. [sic]"

Another fan cut to the chase, yelling simply, "KISS!," before coyly adding, "who said that 👂👀." Others swooned over their bond, with one stating, "They would make the cutest couple 😍👏🔥🙌❤️."

Still, not everyone was convinced. One netizen dismissed the scene, saying it just "[sic] seems like a friendly hug!" As if the hug wasn't intimate enough, eagle-eyed viewers claimed they could read Robert's lips.

One insisted, "He says 'see you soon' 🥰👀👀," while another chimed in, "He said 'see you soon' 💕💕." A third wrote, "For those who can't lip read… he said 'hello', hugged while saying 'obviously' and then left while saying 'I'll see you soon.' That's what I just saw one of the reader pages post lol. [sic]" Whether fantasy or fact, fans were hooked.

It wasn't just the hug that had people buzzing. Witnesses revealed Xochitl brought the flower bouquet for Robert and spent much of her time by his side, even though four finalists were present.

Backstage, she was allegedly seen mingling with his famous family, including his sister and former DWTS champ Bindi Irwin, and their devoted mother, Terri Irwin.

Dance Chemistry That Sparked It All

Xochitl is no stranger to the ballroom. She won season 32 in 2023 alongside Val Chmerkovskiy. This season, she lent her support behind the scenes and cheered Robert on as he rehearsed his final freestyle.

Their bond appeared to blossom during DWTS' 20th birthday celebration, which aired on November 11. Paired for a Relay Dance round, they jived their hearts out to "Dance with Me Tonight" by Olly Murs — and fans weren't the only ones noticing the on-stage sparks.

Judge Derek Hough praised their chemistry, and Robert's partner, Witney Carson, shot a knowing look that said it all. That moment ignited a firestorm of speculation. When TMZ cornered Robert, asking the question on everyone's mind — are you an item? — he skillfully redirected.

"Oh my gosh, we had the best time. That dance was so much fun," he said. Just days later, on November 14, he doubled down on the flattery:

"The dance with Xochitl which was just like energy and fun. She's the best, it's been really, really great."

But Wait — There's Another Girl in the Picture

Yet just when fans thought Robert and Xochitl might be heading for a fairy tale ending, another woman entered the frame: Hailey Bills, a 19-year-old professional dancer from DWTS. A celebrity gossip account claimed Robert had a growing connection with the brunette beauty.

It revealed an anonymous tip that came via email, reading, "Everyone's favourite DWTS bachelor has paused his search for his American dream girl to have some play time beyond the ballroom. My sources tell me he's been spotted a few times getting cosy with a brunette... The same one he follows around on set. She's the only troupe member he follows on Instagram."

The mystery girl was later confirmed to be Hailey, a seasoned dancer who has been dancing since 2012 and is trained in ballroom, ballet, and hip hop. While neither Hailey nor Robert has addressed the whispers, the latter did recently post a video of the two dancing energetically together, outside the ballroom.

From Breakups to Erewhon Dates

This wouldn't be Robert's first public romance. He famously split from longtime love Rorie Buckey in February 2024 and admitted in November that year, that he was still searching for love.

Yet the gossip mill insists he's found someone or possibly someones. In addition to Hailey, the same gossip account reported a date with Xochitl at upscale Los Angeles hotspot Erewhon. So which girl has truly captured Robert's heart?

According to a new report, Robert is keeping things casual for now. Sources say the animal-loving Australian is looking for "Miss right now" instead of "Miss right," and that he's in no rush to settle down.

But he's not giving up hope. At the DWTS premiere, Robert opened up about the kind of love he wants, referencing the romantic stories of his famous family. He said, "My mom and dad met when she was this American tourist coming over to Australia, and that's also how my sister met her husband."

His late father is the famous Steve Irwin, and sister is married to Chandler Powell. Then, wistfully, he asked, "When is that going to happen for me?! I'm still waiting for it." He added, "That American tourist is not quite lined up."

Still, Robert admitted dating in the spotlight comes with its challenges. In a November 23 interview, he confessed, "Holy moly, that's so challenging to navigate," noting that "anything you do will be on TikTok the next day."

Despite the chaos of fame, he insists he stays true to himself. The star explained, "I never change what I say, what I do, who I am one bit, wherever I am. It's just me, and I stand by who I am."

Whether it's a Mirrorball trophy, a mystery romance, or both — Robert Irwin is clearly dancing into a new chapter, and the world is watching.