The world of reality television and wildlife conservation rarely collide, but Robert Irwin has managed to bridge the gap in spectacular fashion. Fresh off his victory as the Season 34 Mirrorball Champion on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, the 22-year-old Australian zookeeper and conservationist has found himself at the center of swirling rumors and new opportunities, both in the entertainment industry and in his lifelong passion for wildlife advocacy.
Irwin’s name has been buzzing in celebrity circles and fan forums ever since his energetic performances on the dance floor captivated audiences and judges alike. His partnership with professional dancer Witney Carson led to a memorable win during the show’s three-hour finale in November 2025, outshining a group of formidable finalists including social media star Alix Earle, content creator Dylan Efron, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, and actress Elaine Hendrix, according to USA TODAY.
But it’s not just the Mirrorball Trophy that has kept Irwin in the headlines. As the confetti settled on his DWTS triumph, speculation soared about his next move—specifically, whether he might join the cast of another ABC juggernaut, The Bachelor. The topic gained momentum while Irwin was still competing on Dancing with the Stars, and the chatter only intensified after his win.
Addressing the rumors in a February 10, 2026 interview with Entertainment Tonight at an NFL Super Bowl event, Irwin responded with playful ambiguity: “Never say never, I’m in this realm right now where I’m like, never say never,” he said. “You know what? Watch this space. Who knows? It’s a strange world. Anything could happen.” He also admitted, “I feel like some of the rumors flying around during Dancing with the Stars—like, Robert’s gonna be the next Bachelor—I’m like, oh my goodness. I’m a zookeeper.”
Despite his rising star status, Irwin was quick to remind fans that his heart remains firmly rooted in conservation. “I’m an animal conservationist. That’s my thing. My world is very different from most of the things that are reported on about me,” he explained to Entertainment Tonight. “My life is a whirlwind, it’s an adventure. I would love to be able to share that with someone and to share those little moments. I have a lot of great role models in the love department and a lot of people I look up to and go, ‘Wow, couples goals.’ So I want to find that.”
Irwin’s perspective on romance is refreshingly grounded, especially for someone in the spotlight. “It’s something you kind of can’t rush,” he told E! News. “It just has to happen, and you’ve got to be open to that. I know she’s out there, and I look forward to it.” When asked about his private life, he described it as “pretty vanilla,” emphasizing that he keeps that side of his life away from public scrutiny. “Everything’s good, life’s great,” he added, dialing down any overblown expectations about his romantic escapades.
His most recent public relationship was with Rorie Buckley, niece of the late actor Heath Ledger. The pair dated for more than a year, keeping their romance largely private until their split in 2024. More recently, Irwin sparked dating rumors with actress and former DWTS winner Xochitl Gomez after they danced together during the competition’s Relay round in November. Yet, Irwin has made it clear that he values “genuine kindness” above all else in a partner and is in no hurry to settle down just for the sake of it.
Family remains a central influence in Irwin’s life and approach to relationships. He often references his sister Bindi’s marriage to Chandler Powell and his mother Terri’s serendipitous meeting with the legendary Steve Irwin, both of whom were American tourists visiting Australia Zoo. “In both instances, [Terri and Chandler] were American tourists that were coming over and visiting the zoo,” Robert told People. “So I’m waiting. I’m waiting for that American tourist to come into the zoo and for it all to happen!” he joked, reflecting on the family’s history of whirlwind romance.
While Irwin’s future on The Bachelor remains uncertain, his schedule is anything but quiet. On February 10, 2026, he served as the keynote speaker at the Jacksonville Zoo’s Toast to Conservation Gala in Florida. The sold-out event, which began at 5:30 p.m., featured a chef-curated dinner and offered guests an exclusive preview of new zoo habitats, including the VyStar SkyScape and the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Manatee River Habitat, before their official grand opening. The gala, dedicated to protecting threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, underscored Irwin’s continued commitment to conservation work.
Irwin’s passion for wildlife is not just a career—it’s a family legacy. As the son of the late Steve Irwin, the beloved “Crocodile Hunter,” Robert has spent much of his life helping his mother Terri and sister Bindi run Australia Zoo. When not making television appearances or dazzling on the dance floor, he’s often found “jumping on crocs, handling snakes, and rescuing koalas,” as he told Entertainment Tonight. “It’s exciting when it comes to animals,” he said, but quickly added that the rest of his life is “a lot more boring than you might think.”
The Dancing with the Stars: Live! tour is the next big adventure on Irwin’s calendar. He will be joining select dates from April 21 to April 30, 2026, alongside pro dancer Witney Carson, with stops planned in California, Nevada, and Arizona. The tour’s Florida leg will run through late March, featuring actress Elaine Hendrix as a special guest co-host and performances in cities such as Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Orlando, Clearwater, and Hollywood, Florida. According to USA TODAY, the tour kicked off in Akron, Ohio, and will conclude there on May 13, 2026. Notably, Dancing with the Stars is currently on hiatus, but the live tour ensures the show’s energy remains high and its stars in the spotlight.
In the midst of all this, the world of soap operas and dance is also seeing unique crossovers. Gleb Savchenko, a longtime DWTS pro, is set to appear on CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful as Alexei, performing alongside Marcquet Hill during a pivotal bridal shower scene. While Savchenko has yet to win the Mirrorball Trophy after 13 seasons, he expressed enthusiasm about future acting opportunities and returning to the soap’s set, as reported by US Weekly.
As Robert Irwin continues to balance fame, family, and conservation, his ability to navigate both the glare of the spotlight and the quiet of the animal world sets him apart. Whether or not he takes a turn handing out roses on The Bachelor, Irwin’s journey remains a fascinating blend of showbiz dazzle and genuine dedication to the planet.