The internet has gone full fantasy novelist again, but this time with help from artificial intelligence. Forget PR relationships or speculated flings—now we’re crafting entire romantic universes out of pixels and wishful thinking.
The latest fictional couple to send gay Twitter spiraling? Pop prince Shawn Mendes and wildlife warrior turned underwear model Robert Irwin.
If you’ve seen suspiciously dreamy images of the two looking very coupled-up—embracing on beaches, sharing shirtless moments, or gazing into each other’s algorithmically enhanced eyes—know this: it’s all AI. Entirely made up. Fabricated by people with great taste and too much time.
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And no, neither of them is publicly out as gay.
How Did This Ship Even Sail?
The origin story of this fictional romance is surprisingly mundane. In 2022, Robert interviewed Shawn and Javier Bardem during promo for Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. It was polite. Professional. Reptile-related. Not a single spark—unless you’re an internet sleuth who sees longing in basic eye contact.
But for the imagination-hungry online fandom, that brief encounter was enough. Enter: AI-generated fan edits that escalated the situation from “adorable interaction” to “secret boyfriends vacationing in Byron Bay.”
Soon, tabloids like The Daily Mail jumped on the story—officially debunking it while shamelessly parading the fake images for clicks. Classic.
This Isn’t Their First Rumor Rodeo
Shawn, 26, has been the subject of speculation about his sexuality since the Vine era. Though he’s consistently identified as straight, the conversation never seems to stop. Back in 2018, he shared with Rolling Stone:
“In my heart, I know that it’s not a bad thing,” he said about being gay. “There’s still a piece of me that thinks that. And I hate that side of me.”
It was a rare moment of honesty about how relentless public scrutiny can warp self-perception—even for someone in the spotlight.
Robert, 21, is newer to the spotlight’s messier side. The wildlife conservationist—best known for being Steve Irwin’s son—sparked a different kind of buzz recently with a Bonds underwear campaign. The internet (understandably) lost its mind. And just like that, he got yanked into a romantic rumor cycle that, to his family’s reported confusion, now involves AI-generated boyfriends.
It’s Fake. But It’s Also a Little Bit Fabulous.
Let’s be real: this story isn’t about the truth. It’s about vibes. About what happens when the internet smashes two attractive, charismatic men together and says: Make it gay, but soft.
It’s not unlike fanfiction—we’ve just automated the visuals now. The images are fantasy, yes, but they speak to something real: the desire for queer representation, for softness, for beauty. For a world where two men falling in love is not just normal—it’s aesthetic.
Shawn and Robert haven’t claimed each other. They probably never will. And that’s okay.
You Can Stan the Fantasy—Just Don’t Demand It Be True
So go ahead. Save the edits. Dream up the rom-com. Imagine them rescuing a baby koala while making eye contact under a rainbow.
But remember: neither Shawn Mendes nor Robert Irwin is publicly gay. Neither has hinted at a real relationship with each other. This entire narrative is a mirage—albeit a wildly good-looking one.
Enjoy it. But let them live their real, unfiltered, non-AI lives, too.
Because sometimes, even the hottest fictional couples deserve a little reality break.
Bottom line: The romance is fake. The thirst is real. And the gay internet? Still undefeated.
Source: Daily Mail
Oh how I wish this fake was all true! Robert & Shawn look so, so, so well together, and their separate character feels so common that they seem like a real couple. I loved them separately, I Love them even more together!