A shirtless announcement has earned Robert Irwin a swathe of new fans

Is Robert Irwin Single? Image: Bonds

Robert Irwin’s romantic life is front-and-centre of the international spotlight, after he announced he would take part in the US version of Dancing With The Stars. From the moment he appeared at a press appearance for Hulu, draped in a snake, American fans were bewildered with the 21-year-old.

Since then, the obsession with the man they previously only knew as Steve Irwin’s son, has reached fever pitch. Week after week, Irwin has won over fans with his contagious energy, killer dance moves and occasional flash of rippling abs. He’s left many fans feeling hot and heavy, not to mention wondering if Robert Irwin has a girlfriend…

 

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Robert had recently commented on his relationship status as recently as November 16, 2024, during an appearance on Nine’s Today show. When asked if he was seeing anyone after announcing his split from long-term girlfriend Rorie Buckey in February last year, the star admitted there was “no one special” in his life at the time.

He went on to reveal that he found it difficult to navigate the world of dating as a public figure, but said he was open to finding love. “I’m one of those people who is kind of gonna let it happen, I’m gonna let that unfold as it will.”

“I look at my parents as inspiration and I look ay my sister [Bindi Irwin who married], Chandler,” he continued. “I know there’s someone out there, but they are going to have to be a goer, they are going to be in this lifestyle, it’s here, it’s there, it’s everywhere but I would definitely one day love to, of course, share this wonderful life with someone special.”

He went on to reveal that he was “looking” and that he believed that “it’ll happen when it happens.”

According to report to famed gossip site DeuxMoi, Irwin is rumoured to be dating a dancer from the DWTS cast, troupe dancer, Hailey Bills, 19.

“Everyone’s favourite DWTS bachelor has paused his search for his American dream girl to have some play time beyond the ballroom,” the email read, as shared on Instagram.

Whether it’s true or not, remains to be seen.

Who Has Robert Irwin Dated Before?

Charlotte Briggs

Irwin was recently spotted at Sydney Airport with his mother, Terri, alongside a mystery brunette who is thought to be a fellow Australia Zoo co-worker, Charlotte Briggs.

The pair then reportedly checked into a luxury hotel, fuelling rumours that Charlotte might in fact be the new girlfriend of Robert Irwin – before heading to Channel 10 studios, where Irwin was set to appear on The Project.

Charlotte Briggs and Robert Irwin have both been photographed travelling in and out of airports over the last few months, sparking rumours of a budding relationship, though neither have confirmed either way.

Aside from working at Australia Zoo, Briggs is also an accomplished sportsperson who’s listed o the Sunshine Coast Cricket website as being “one of the leading wicket-takers in the 2020/2021 season.”

Rorie Buckey

After dating for nearly two years, Rorie Buckey and Robert Irwin called things off in February 2024. At the time, they announced the split on Instagram with a joint statement.

“We wanted to share that we have decided to go our separate ways but profoundly appreciate all of the time spent together and wish one another all the very best into the future,” they posted to Instagram stories. “We wish to express the gratitude and respect we have for one another as we continue our journeys on different paths.”

They’d been dating since November 2022, eventually going ‘Instagram official’ in August 2023.

The pair made their red carpet debut carpet debut in Sydney in July 2023.
Robert Irwin and Rorie Buckey. (Credit: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for GQ Australia)
The young couple had previously attended the Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning premiere at the International Convention Centre, where they posed for photographs. The 19-year-old conservationist is well known as the son of the late Steve Irwin but Rorie has some famous connections of her own—Buckey, 18, is the niece of late Australian actor, Heath Ledger.

The ex-couple both looked the part with Irwin in a black suit and Buckey in a long sleeved black dress with a mid-section cut-out. The event also saw Mission Impossible stars, Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Hayley Atwell walk the red carpet.

Irwin and Buckey were first spotted together in November 2022, when they were seen cuddling on a Queensland beach. Since then, Buckey has also been spotted sitting with Irwin and his mum, Terri Irwin at the Australia Zoo crocodile show on his birthday.

In late December 2023, it was revealed that Buckey was getting a lot closer to Irwin’s work at the zoo, joining the family business.

“I am honoured to be part of ground-breaking research on crocodiles in remote North Queensland,” she shared in a post on Instagram. “Working with the University of Queensland and Australia Zoo is profoundly rewarding and I am so grateful to be alongside such inspiring individuals. This data is helping to conserve a keystone species and the habitat that supports them!”

Who Is Robert Irwin’s Ex-Girlfriend, Rorie Buckey?

Rorie Buckey is the daughter of Kate Buckey (nee Ledger) and Nathan Buckey. Kate is Heath Ledger’s older sister, an actress and publicist with whom the late Heath was very close with.

While she keeps her personal life private, we do know that she is an identical twin, with a sister named Scarlett. The pair have always been thick as thieves, with her mum Kate even writing a series of fictional books based on the pair called ‘Twin Magic’.

The twins are now 19 years old, and both attended the same university in Perth, Curtain University. While the pair are both interested in the medical fields, Rorie is studying a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, while Scarlett is studying pharmaceuticals.

While we don’t know much about what the family thought of the union, Rorie’s dad Nathan Buckey did tell the Daily Mail Australia that he did approve when asked, saying “Of course, absolutely.”

Robert Irwin’s Bonds Campaign Had Everyone Swooning

Back in early April 2025, Irwin secured a newfound heartthrob status thanks to his campaign for Bonds. The 21-year-old wildlife conservationist has officially shed his childhood image, stepping into heartthrob territory as the face (and abs) of the iconic Aussie brand’s latest campaign—and let’s just say, the internet is in meltdown.

 

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In the newly released images, Robert swaps his signature khakis for classic Bonds briefs, serving up smouldering looks and proving that he’s well and truly all grown up. Naturally, the thirst is real.