Robert Irwin is gracefully dodging the latest Dancing With the Stars rumor swirling around him and Xochitl Gomez. Following the pair’s electrifying performance during the show’s 20th anniversary celebration on Nov. 11, fans have been buzzing about whether their onstage chemistry has spilled into real life — but Irwin insists it’s all just fun and friendship.
Robert Irwin Addresses the Dating Speculation
In an interview with TMZ, the 21-year-old wildlife conservationist and DWTS contestant laughed off rumors of romance after he and the Marvel actress performed a high-energy jive during the anniversary relay round.
“Oh my gosh, we had the best time,” Irwin said. “That dance was so much fun.”
Irwin emphasized that the experience was all about celebrating the show’s milestone and enjoying the contrast between his two dances that evening — one being a touching tribute to his late father, Steve Irwin, and the other a lively, carefree number with Gomez.
“It was so cool to do two such distinct dances,” he explained. “One that was really slow and heartfelt, and then the dance with Xochitl, which was just like energy and fun.”
When asked directly about their relationship status, Irwin simply smiled and added,
“She’s the best — it’s been really, really great.”
Inside Their DWTS Chemistry
Gomez, 19, who won Dancing With the Stars Season 32, returned to the ballroom as one of six past champions to mark the show’s two-decade milestone. The pair’s undeniable onstage rapport quickly became a hot topic online, with fans sharing clips of their jive and speculating about a possible romance.
However, both Irwin and Gomez have kept their connection professional. Speaking to Deadline earlier in the week, Irwin praised Gomez’s enthusiasm and work ethic during rehearsals.
“The thing that Xochitl brings is so much energy and passion,” he said. “It feels like we’re on the same wavelength. We just wanted to make sure it was fun — and then Witney [Carson] came in to make sure our toes were pointed.”
His DWTS pro partner Witney Carson, who has been mentoring Irwin throughout the season, joked about feeling “ancient” watching the young duo’s energy in the studio.
“There were just lots of giggles and lots of I don’t even know,” Carson told Deadline. “But they are extremely hard workers and they got the job done.”
A Celebration of DWTS History
The 20th anniversary special brought together former winners and pros from across the show’s legacy. Alongside Irwin and Gomez, the episode featured Rumer Willis, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Kristi Yamaguchi, Apolo Anton Ohno, and more fan-favorite alumni.
All six original professional dancers — including Louis Van Amstel and Edyta Sliwinska — returned to open the show, proving that two decades later, they still know how to command the ballroom.
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Gomez and Irwin’s jive was part of a relay dance that pitted them against Joey Graziadei and Alix Earle, another crowd-pleasing pairing that night.
Fans React to Their Onscreen Connection
Social media lit up after the episode aired, with fans praising the pair’s chemistry. “Robert and Xochitl are just pure joy on the dance floor,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another commented, “They need to do a full season together — the energy is unmatched.”
Still, Irwin remains focused on his dancing journey rather than dating speculation. Sources close to the DWTS team say the two share a “fun, sibling-like friendship” and bonded over their similar work ethics and love of performing.
Looking Ahead
While Robert Irwin continues his Dancing With the Stars run, Gomez is focused on upcoming acting projects following her role as America Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Both stars have earned praise for their charisma, positivity, and professionalism — qualities that made their dance partnership such a fan favorite.
For now, any talk of romance appears to be nothing more than ballroom fantasy. As Irwin summed up, the experience was about “celebrating joy, energy, and the legacy of DWTS — not headlines.”
Do you think Robert Irwin and Xochitl Gomez’s chemistry could lead to more than friendship? Share your thoughts in the comments on InvestRecords.com.
