Robert Irwin Sparks Romance Rumours: Is the Wildlife Warrior Off the Market?
Robert Irwin, the charismatic host of I’m A Celeb and a familiar face from his lifelong presence in the public eye, has once again captured the attention of fans eager to know about his relationship status. Recent photographs have surfaced, suggesting the 22-year-old wildlife warrior may be off the market, with whispers of a new girlfriend. The images feature Robert alongside Ashleigh Scully, a 23-year-old diver and wildlife photographer from Wyoming. If the rumours are true, the pair share a remarkable amount in common, a fact not lost on keen-eyed observers.
The initial hints of a budding romance emerged in early February through a now-removed TikTok video. This clip showcased a montage of images, including Robert in scuba gear pictured next to Ashleigh, as well as snapshots of her visit to Australia Zoo earlier in the year. The striking resemblance between Ashleigh and Robert’s mother, Terri Irwin, was immediately noted by fans. Social media comments flooded in, with one user declaring, “SHE LOOKS LIKE YOUNG TERRI. thats his soulmate right there,” while another observed, “She looks like his momma.”
Navigating the complexities of dating as a public figure presents unique challenges, as Robert himself acknowledged in an interview with The New York Times late last year. He admitted that it can be “challenging to navigate” because he doesn’t have a “persona to hide behind.” Robert emphasised his commitment to authenticity, stating, “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.” He further elaborated on the difficulties, describing dating as “so challenging to navigate,” especially given the immediate public scrutiny, where “anything you do will be on TikTok the next day.”
This isn’t the first time Robert’s love life has been a topic of public discussion. Late last year, the Dancing With The Stars alum was linked to two of his colleagues from the show: troupe member Hailey Bills and former champion Xochitl Gomez. The DWTS winner even playfully expressed his hope of finding an American girlfriend while filming the show. In a light-hearted exchange with E!News, he remarked, “We are still looking for the American girl!” His dance partner, Witney Carson, chimed in with a humorous suggestion, “You have to kind of go through a screening process, so submit your application to my DMs, then I will forward them to Bindi, and then we will see about the American tourist.”
During an appearance on the Today show in January, Robert confirmed his single status. When asked about his love life live on air, he responded with a blush, “You guys, I’m still blushing when you bring all that up. Goodness me! Nothing particularly exciting to report in the love department. I wish there was more I could give you.” This sentiment echoed his statements from April of the previous year, when he told People magazine, “I don’t [have a girlfriend]! I’m single. It’s funny, I’m at this point in my life where I’m like, I’m so open to that, but I’m just waiting for the stars to align.”
Intriguingly, Robert has often spoken about his family’s own romantic history, which has strong ties to the Australia Zoo. He noted, “my parents, my sister Bindi met her husband [Chandler Powell] here — everyone met here at our wildlife sanctuary.” He continued to share his hopeful outlook, adding, “In both instances, there were American tourists that were coming over and visiting the zoo. So I’m waiting. I’m waiting for that American tourist to come into the zoo and for it all to happen!”
A few months prior to these statements, a source close to the Irwin family revealed to Woman’s Day that Robert was rumoured to have a “secret girlfriend” and was awaiting his mother Terri’s approval before making any public announcements. The source explained, “The tick of approval from Terri is important but not imperative. Robert knows that if this relationship is to work that it is better to have both Terri and Bindi on board before taking the relationship public.”
A Look Back at Robert Irwin’s Relationship History
Robert Irwin’s romantic journey has seen its share of public attention.
Rorie Buckey: Robert was previously in a relationship with Rorie Buckey. The young couple announced their break-up on Instagram in February 2024, stating, “We wish to express the gratitude and respect we have for one another as we continue our journeys on different paths.” Following their split, fans observed that Rorie, who is the niece of the late Heath Ledger, had been removed from Robert’s social media profiles.
Tess Poyner: Before Rorie, when Robert was just 13 years old, he experienced a sweet “puppy love” with 14-year-old wildlife enthusiast Tess Poyner. It was rumoured that the young pair met at the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year awards held in Adelaide. In a move reminiscent of how Bindi Irwin first connected with her now-husband Chandler Powell, Robert invited Tess to stay with him for a week at Australia Zoo.
A proud Robert eagerly took on the role of tour guide, introducing Tess to the place he cherishes most in the world. He shared his favourite animals with her, from green tree snakes to koalas, giraffes, and water dragons. Tess expressed her delight on Instagram, posting, “I had so much fun with the best photographer, herper and buggy driver on the planet! @robertirwinphotography Thank you so much for such an amazing week,” complete with a heart emoji. A lovestruck Robert was quick to reciprocate the sentiment, commenting, “Thank you so much for such an awesome adventure. I had a great time!”
