Robert Irwin has been creating memorable experiences on “Dancing with the Stars” Season 34, and many fans are rooting for him to win the ABC dance competition this season. He is a fantastic dancer, but in Week 9 for the 20th Birthday Party episode on November 11, he also had the help of a returning champ for his relay race.
Xochitl Gomez, who won Season 32 of DWTS, joined Irwin to perform a jive routine, and they won over Alix Earle and Mirrorball champ Joey Graziadei, who won Season 33.
Their routine was so fun and energetic, and fans loved seeing them dance together, but their obvious dance chemistry also sparked romance rumors. Fans were convinced something was going on between Irwin and Gomez. In a video Irwin posted of himself and Gomez on Instagram on November 11, fans flooded the comments with messages about how the pair would make the perfect couple.
“You both look so good together,” a comment reads. “She is amazing and the two of you are adorable,” another fan shared.
A third commenter wrote, “omggg you two would be the cutest couple.”
TMZ interviewed Irwin about the romance rumors, but he dodged the question and wouldn’t give a direct answer. Irwin “just sidestepped the romance questions,” TMZ reports. He did discuss how highly he thinks of her, though. “Oh my gosh, we had the best time,” he told TMZ of their performance. “That dance was so much fun.”
He continued, “It was so cool to do two, such distinct dances. Like, one that was really slow and heartfelt. And then the dance with Xochitl, which was just like energy and fun. She’s the best, it’s been really, really great.”
Irwin’s comments to TMZ may sound like a promising update to fans hoping he and Gomez are a couple, but just because he chose not to answer the question doesn’t mean they are dating. He does speak highly of her, though, and in an interview with Deadline on November 11, the wildlife conservationist discussed working with her.
“The thing that Xochitl brings is so much energy and fun and passion,” Robert said. “It feels like we’re so on the same wavelength when it comes to approaching the jive. We’re like, ‘Make sure it’s really fun and then Witney can come in and make sure your toes are pointed.’”
Karen Huger has been found guilty on nearly all counts after being charged with a DUI in Maryland in March.
“Although we are disappointed in the jury’s verdict, we of course respect their decision and appreciate their time hearing our case,” the Real Housewives of Potomac star’s attorney, A. Scott Bolden, tells PEOPLE exclusively in a statement.
Bolden, a partner at Reed Smith law firm adds, “We continue to reserve Mrs. Huger’s right to an appeal and intend to fully pursue justice on her behalf. We appreciate your support and prayers for Mrs. Huger and her family at this time.”
After the March 19 incident, Huger, 61, was charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.
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Other charges include failure to control vehicle speed on the highway to avoid a collision, driving a vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed on the highway, driving a vehicle on the highway with suspended registration, and failure to notify administration of change of address within 30 days.
She was found guilty on all charges except reckless driving, her rep tells PEOPLE. The reality star is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 29.
A spokesperson for the Montgomery County Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE on March 20 that Huger had been involved in a single-vehicle collision in Potomac. Law enforcement said the television personality crossed a median and struck multiple street signs but was not injured at the time of the crash.
Authorities also reportedly told TMZ — who was first to report the news — that Huger was allegedly driving in an “aggressive manner” and very fast before the collision.
At the time of the incident, she was not arrested, however, she received several citations.
During Huger’s first day in court on Tuesday, Dec. 17, witnesses described what they noticed, with one man stating that Huger’s car allegedly smelled like alcohol, per Fox 5 DC. A volunteer EMT who responded to the scene said Huger did not want treatment and “swayed” when trying to step into the ambulance. Inside the vehicle, the EMT said Huger allegedly told them to “f— off” and “go f— yourselves” several times.
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Minutes later she complimented a female firefighter, telling her, “You’re so beautiful,” the EMT said.
The jury also saw bodycam footage on Tuesday, where one officer was seen telling Huger she was “hammered,” a claim she called “bulls—” in the footage.
Huger broke her silence on the incident in a statement to TMZ on March 20. The reality star, whose parents died within seven months of each other in 2017, said she was experiencing a moment of grief the evening of the crash.
“With the passing of my Beloved Mother, Grief comes and goes in waves, and with Mother’s Day approaching it has felt more like a tsunami,” she said. “Last night I met a girlfriend for dinner, we talked and brought up some very emotionally sensitive topics. I was crying on my way home and saw a car heading right for me.”
She continued, “I swerved to avoid the head-on collision, hit the divider, and then a tree. I’m hurt, bruised up a bit, but so grateful I am alive! I did receive citations, one of which was unrelated to the incident which is understandable, but what was most surprising is that the car that almost hit me just drove away!”
Huger concluded by reminding fans to “understate your emotional state” before getting behind the wheel, crediting her mother, whom she called her “Guardian Angel,” and her seatbelt for saving her life.
Huger’s arrest is a central storyline in season 9 of The Real Housewives of Potomac, which airs Sundays on Bravo at 8 p.m. ET.