Witney Carson Steps Back From Matchmaking Role With Robert Irwin: 'It Was Too Stressful'

Professional dancer Witney Carson has officially resigned from her self-appointed role as Robert Irwin's wingwoman, admitting the pressure of vetting potential romantic partners for her former Dancing With the Stars partner became overwhelming.

In an exclusive interview with Page Six's Virtual Reali-Tea, Carson, 32, revealed she has completely abandoned the matchmaking duties she took on during Season 34 of the hit ABC show.

“I have completely dropped that because it was so overwhelming for me,” Carson said. “I was like, 'I'm not a matchmaker. This is not for me.' It was too stressful.”

Why did Witney Carson and Bindi Irwin stop vetting Robert Irwin's dates?

The matchmaking saga began when Irwin, 22, publicly shared his single status during the competition last fall. The wildlife conservationist told Page Six that his DMs were flooded with messages from women eager to meet him.

“First of all, it just means so, so much,” Irwin said at the time. “But, yeah, I'm on the lookout and it'll happen when it happens ... keep it coming!”

Irwin's older sister, Bindi Irwin, and Carson initially teamed up to screen the women sliding into his DMs. However, the responsibility quickly became a burden.

“It's stressful,” Carson said during the season. “Bindi is taking a backseat. She's like, 'I can't deal with it anymore. It's up to you now.'”

The duo even poked fun at the situation in a cheeky Instagram video captioned, “Witney taking the wingman job very seriously,” with the words “Coming in hot to check Robert's DMs” overlaid on the clip.

But in her most recent interview, Carson confirmed she has since “resigned from that job.”

“I was like, 'We're trying to win here. We're not trying to date,'” she joked.

Did Witney Carson and Robert Irwin win Dancing With the Stars Season 34?

Yes. Carson and Irwin took home the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, marking Carson's second Dancing With the Stars victory and a second win for the Irwin family. Bindi Irwin won Season 21 in 2015 with professional partner Derek Hough.

Although their ballroom run ended in November 2025, the pair reunited for Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, where they shared a dance and co-hosted the finale episode.

“It was a really, really fun week for us because we got to kind of just let loose and do what we do best, which is dance together,” Carson said. “It felt like an extension of Dancing With the Stars. We kind of got a little extra than our time on the show, which was fun.”

What is Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?

Hosted by Robert Irwin, the spinoff series features judges Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas and seeks to find the next Dancing With the Stars professional through a rigorous audition process. Carson served as one of several guest judges throughout the series.

Carson praised Irwin's hosting abilities, describing him as “passionate about everything that he does.”

“He was honestly just a beautiful person to work with,” Carson said. “He's in my life forever now. My boys are obsessed with him, too. He is their hero, for sure.”

What's next for Witney Carson in Dancing With the Stars Season 35?

Carson may be done with matchmaking, but she's staying busy. The mother of two announced on Good Morning America that she will be partnered with Jimmy Kimmel Live star Guillermo Rodriguez for Season 35, and that she'll be competing while pregnant with her third child.

“It wasn't on my Bingo card to be competing on Dancing With the Stars and be four months pregnant, but I think it's a beautiful thing,” Carson said on GMA. “Hopefully, Guillermo will be right there beside me and we can work as a team.”

Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with new episodes streaming the next day on Hulu and Disney+.