Robert Irwin Sparks Romance Rumours with Wildlife Photographer Ashleigh Scully
Robert Irwin, the charismatic host of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and a familiar face in the conservation world, has long been a subject of public curiosity regarding his personal life. At just 22 years old, the wildlife warrior’s every move seems to be under a microscope, and recent developments suggest he might be off the market. New photographs have surfaced, capturing the young conservationist alongside Ashleigh Scully, a 23-year-old diver and wildlife photographer hailing from Wyoming. Whispers in the grapevine suggest Ashleigh could be Robert’s new girlfriend, and it’s undeniable that the pair share a significant common ground.
The initial spark of this potential romance ignited in early February with a video that briefly appeared on TikTok. This clip featured a montage of images, including Robert sporting scuba gear while seated next to Ashleigh, and snapshots of her visiting Australia Zoo earlier in the year.
The striking resemblance between Ashleigh and Robert’s mother, Terri Irwin, did not go unnoticed by fans. Social media comments quickly pointed out the similarity, with one user exclaiming, “SHE LOOKS LIKE YOUNG TERRI. thats his soulmate right there.” Another chimed in with, “She looks like his momma.”
Navigating the complexities of dating as a public figure has been a recurring theme for Robert. In an interview with The New York Times late last year, he candidly admitted that it can be “challenging to navigate” as he lacks a “persona to hide behind.” He elaborated on his authentic approach to life, 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 emphasised the difficulties, noting, “Holy moly, [dating is] so challenging to navigate,” particularly when “anything you do will be on TikTok the next day.”
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 himself had even playfully expressed a desire to find an American girlfriend during his time on the show.
“We are still looking for the American girl!” he told E! News, before jokingly enlisting his dance partner Witney Carson as his “wingman.” Witney quipped, “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 he was still single. 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.”
Similarly, in an interview with People last April, he reiterated his single status. “I don’t [have a girlfriend]!” he told the publication. “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.”
He also shared a hopeful anecdote about his family’s romantic history, noting, “Interestingly, my parents, my sister Bindi met her husband [Chandler Powell] here — everyone met here at our wildlife sanctuary. 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!”
Months prior to that, a source close to the Irwin family confided in Woman’s Day, suggesting Robert had a ‘secret girlfriend’ and was awaiting his mother Terri’s approval before making any official announcements. The source revealed, “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 most recent public relationship was with Rorie Buckey. The young couple announced their separation 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, observant fans noted that Rorie, who is the niece of the late Heath Ledger, had seemingly been removed from Robert’s social media pages.
Prior to his relationship with Rorie, Robert experienced a youthful infatuation at the age of 13 with fellow wildlife enthusiast Tess Poyner, who was 14 at the time. Rumours circulated that the young pair met at the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year awards held in Adelaide. In a move reminiscent of his sister Bindi’s early romance with Chandler Powell, Robert extended an invitation for 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 – his beloved wildlife sanctuary. He showcased his favourite animals, from vibrant green tree snakes to cuddly koalas, majestic giraffes, and fascinating water dragons. Tess shared 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,” accompanied by a heart emoji. A smitten Robert was quick to reciprocate the sentiment, commenting, “Thank you so much for such an awesome adventure. I had a great time!”
