Robert Irwin Receives Surprise Flowers from Xochitl Gomez Before Dancing with the Stars Finale Amid Dating Rumors
Robert Irwin got a heart-warming surprise ahead of the Dancing with the Stars Season 34 finale — and it came from someone fans are buzzing about. The 21-year-old wildlife conservationist received a bouquet of flowers from actress and former Mirrorball champion Xochitl Gomez, sparking even more speculation about their off-screen chemistry.
Hours before Robert stepped onto the ballroom floor for his final performances, Xochitl was photographed greeting him outside his trailer with a smile and a large bouquet, according to images shared by TMZ. She later joined him backstage as he rehearsed for his freestyle routine.
The 19-year-old Avengers star, who won DWTS Season 32 with Val Chmerkovskiy, has been a supportive presence for Robert throughout the season. Their bond strengthened earlier in the competition when the two performed together during the show’s 20th anniversary celebration on November 11. Paired for the Relay Dance round, they performed a high-energy jive to “Dance with Me Tonight” by Olly Murs.
Judge Derek Hough immediately pointed out their undeniable chemistry on stage — and pro dancer Witney Carson, Robert’s partner, gave a knowing look that fueled fan speculation on social media.
As dating rumors continue to swirl, Robert has been open about his challenges with finding love in the spotlight. He previously shared with PEOPLE that dating as a public figure can be “so challenging to navigate,” especially when “anything you do will be on TikTok the next day.”
Witney Carson even joked earlier in the season that she was getting flooded with DMs from fans eager to date Robert, teasing that he might be a perfect candidate for The Bachelor.
Despite the buzz, Robert has said he’s still waiting for a romance that mirrors the love story his parents shared. “My mom and dad met when she was an American tourist visiting Australia,” he recalled, noting that his sister Bindi also met her husband the same way. “I’ve been saying — when is that going to happen for me?!”
For now, fans will have to keep guessing about whether sparks are truly flying between Robert and Xochitl — but their sweet backstage moment before the finale certainly didn’t quiet the rumors.
Dancing with the Stars Season 34 is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.
