Robert Irwin gets surprise flowers from Xochitl Gomez before the “DWTS” finale, fueling fan buzz about their growing off-screen connection.
Robert Irwin got a sweet show of support from actress and former Dancing with the Stars champion Xochitl Gomez just hours before he hit the stage for the season 34 finale.
Before the 21-year-old wildlife conservationist performed his final routines, he was surrounded by family and friends — including his sister and former DWTS winner Bindi Irwin, their mother Terri Irwin, and Gomez, who won season 32 of the show.
In photos shared by TMZ, the 19-year-old actress was spotted greeting Robert outside his trailer with a big smile and a bouquet of flowers.
Gomez, best known for her role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, also spent time backstage as Robert rehearsed for his freestyle routine, offering encouragement during the high-pressure finale night.
The two stars built a connection earlier in the season when Gomez returned to the ballroom for the show’s 20th anniversary celebration on November 11. Paired together for the Relay Dance, Robert and Gomez performed a lively jive to “Dance with Me Tonight” by Olly Murs.
Judge Derek Hough commented on their on-floor chemistry, while Witney Carson flashed a playful look — a moment that sparked online speculation about whether a romance could be brewing.
Carson, Robert’s professional partner this season, previously joked on Instagram that she was getting “applications” from fans eager to date Robert. She even teased the idea of him becoming The Bachelor, although she made clear they were too busy dancing to think about anything else.
Robert later told PEOPLE that he hopes to meet someone naturally, noting that both his parents and his sister met their partners through chance encounters. He also admitted to The New York Times that navigating dating under public attention can be difficult, especially when everything quickly appears online.
Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
