Professional dancer Witney Carson has officially hung up her wingwoman hat. In an exclusive interview with Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” on August 17, 2026, the 32-year-old revealed why she stopped playing matchmaker for her “Dancing With the Stars” Season 34 partner, Robert Irwin.
The Overwhelming Task of Vetting DMs
After Robert, 22, openly shared his single status early in the competition last fall, his social media direct messages were instantly flooded with messages from women looking to date him.
Initially, Robert’s older sister, Bindi Irwin, and Carson helped vet the prospective dates sliding into his inbox. However, the sheer volume of attention quickly proved to be too much. Carson admitted that she eventually stepped down because the matchmaking duties became far too stressful, noting that Bindi had already taken a backseat by declaring she could no longer handle it.
The duo even poked fun at the frenzy in a cheeky Instagram video captioned, “Witney taking the wingman job very seriously.” Ultimately, Carson realized the matchmaking was a distraction from their actual goal in the competition, joking, “We’re trying to win here. We’re not trying to date.”
Mirrorball Glory and Spinoff Reunion
The focus paid off as Carson and Robert ultimately captured the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The victory marked Carson’s second win on the flagship show and a second triumph for the Irwin family, following Bindi’s Season 21 win in 2015 alongside Derek Hough.
Though their time in the ballroom concluded in November 2025, the pair reunited on the spinoff series “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.” Hosted by Robert and featuring judges Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas, the show searches for the next professional dancer through rigorous auditions. Carson served as a guest judge and joined Robert to co-host the finale, praising his incredible hosting skills and passion, and noting that he has become a permanent part of her life and a hero to her sons.
Looking Ahead to Season 35
While her days as a wingwoman are officially over, Carson is keeping an exceptionally busy schedule as she prepares for “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35.
Appearing on “Good Morning America,” Carson announced that she will be partnered with “Jimmy Kimmel Live” star Guillermo Rodriguez for the upcoming season. Adding to the excitement, she revealed she will be competing while four months pregnant with her third child with her husband, Carson McAllister. While competing while pregnant wasn’t part of her original plan, she expressed enthusiasm about tackling the season alongside Rodriguez.
“Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro” airs Monday nights on ABC, with streaming available the next day on Hulu and Disney+.
Source: Compiled from various sources
