Wildlife Warrior Robert Irwin’s Secret Love Life Exposed: Who is the Mysterious Photographer Capturing His Heart?
- Robert Irwin, 22, spotted getting cosy with US wildlife photographer Ashleigh Scully, 24, on the Gold Coast
- The pair share a passion for wildlife and photography, sparking rumours of a blossoming romance
- Irwin’s love life has been under scrutiny since his public split from Rorie Buckey in 2024
Robert Irwin, the 22-year-old wildlife warrior, has always had a passion for animals, but it seems he’s also got a soft spot for a certain someone who shares his love for wildlife photography.
According to recent reports, Irwin was spotted looking rather cosy with US wildlife photographer Ashleigh Scully, 24, on the Gold Coast, sparking rumours of a blossoming romance.
After a stint in the US competing on Dancing with the Stars and zooming across to South Africa for I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!, Irwin is back on home soil and has started production on a new project on the Gold Coast, which Scully is also believed to be involved in.
The pair’s close proximity has got everyone wondering if there’s more to their relationship than just a working partnership.
While it’s unclear if the pair, who have reportedly known each other for almost a decade, are actually dating, they appeared to be relaxed and enjoying each other’s company – hinting at possibly more than just a friendship or working relationship.
Irwin has done his best to keep his romantic life out of the spotlight since his public split from Rorie Buckey in 2024, but that hasn’t stopped fans from watching and analysing his every move when it comes to the opposite sex.
In October last year, Irwin was linked with American DWTS troupe dancer, Hailey Bills, who was 19 at the time.
Celebrity gossip account Deux Moi was the first to circulate the rumours claiming the back-up dancer had sparked a special friendship with the khaki-clad Aussie behind the scenes – even appearing in a few TikTok videos together.
Prior to this rumoured romance, Irwin was linked to Australia Zoo employee Charlotte Briggs.
The pair was photographed arriving in Sydney together ahead of Irwin’s appearance on The Project, alongside his mother Terri, and later checking in to the same luxury hotel.
Irwin’s latest rumoured girlfriend is certainly a great fit with both sharing the same passion for wildlife and capturing them in their natural habitat. Scully has been a photographer, capturing mostly Arctic wildlife and underwater animals, since she was eight years old.
She currently resides in Jackson, Wyoming.
In her latest post on Instagram, Scully welcomes new followers to her already impressive 161K fanbase, giving them her backstory. “Most of my portfolio comes from Jersey, Wyoming, Alaska, Norway and the oceans in between,” she writes.
“I was a Division 1 athlete for five years, completing my BA and MA in literature in 5 years due to NCAA eligibility from the pandemic.
I wrote my Master’s thesis on the 19th century oil and whaling empire – specifically within the North Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.”
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
As Irwin’s love life continues to make headlines, it’s clear that his passion for wildlife and photography is only matched by his desire for love and companionship.
But what does this mean for Australia? For one, it’s a reminder that even our most beloved celebrities are human, with their own desires and needs.
It’s also a testament to the power of social media, which can turn even the most private of lives into a public spectacle.
Security analysts say that the increased scrutiny on Irwin’s love life could have implications for his work in the wildlife conservation sector. “When you’re in the public eye, every move you make is under scrutiny,” says one expert.
“It’s not just about Robert Irwin’s personal life; it’s about the impact it could have on his work and the causes he cares about.”
Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: Robert Irwin’s love life is about to get a whole lot more interesting. And as he navigates the ups and downs of romance, he’ll have the entire nation watching – and analysing – his every move.
