Fact Check — Is Dancing with the Stars’ NFL alum Danny Amendola dating Xandra Pohl?

Dancing With The Stars
DWTS star Danny Amendola and TikToker Xandra Pohl | Image source: Instagram/@dannyamendola and @xandrapohl

Dancing With The Stars Season 33 contestant and former NFL wide receiver Danny Amendola and TikTok star Xandra Pohl have sparked dating rumors since their joint appearance at Tom Brady's Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The event happened in June 2024.

On September 17, 2024, Pohl was seen encouraging Amendola during his Dancing With The Stars debut, which fueled more rumors. The 38-year-old teamed with professional dancer Witney Carson to join the show.

As the two-time Super Bowl champion takes on this new challenge, questions about his relationship status have come to the forefront. On September 24, 2024, Amendola addressed these rumors in an exclusive interview with E! News, stating

"Xandra is a great friend of mine…I'm a huge fan and supporter of her and it's good to have a friend like her."

This direct comment from Amendola emphasizes a friendship rather than a romantic involvement.


Dancing with the Stars' Danny Amendola says he and Xandra Pohl are friends

In his statement to E! News, Dancing With The Stars’ Amendola clarified the status of his relationship with Pohl. After stating Xandra is his “great friend," he further added that his mother "loves her," referring to Pohl, indicating a positive relationship between Pohl and Amendola's family.

The first public sighting of Amendola and Pohl together occurred at Tom Brady's Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts in June 2024.

Following this appearance, Barstool founder Dave Portnoy fueled the rumors on his BFFs podcast in June 2024. Portnoy stated, "So Xandra is dating Danny Amendola," though he later rephrased his comment, acknowledging uncertainty about the exact nature of their relationship.

The rumors gained momentum when Pohl attended the Dancing With The Stars season premiere on September 17, 2024. Cameras captured Pohl sitting in the audience alongside Amendola's mother, both enthusiastically cheering for Amendola during his performance. This visible support from Pohl at such a high-profile event further intensified public interest in their relationship status.


Danny Amendola's relationship history and public stance

Danny Amendola, born on July 2, 1985, retired from the NFL in 2021 after a successful 13-season career. Before his rumored connection with Pohl, Amendola was in a high-profile relationship with model Olivia Culpo. The couple dated on and off from 2016 to 2019, attracting significant media attention.

In 2019, Amendola expressed his preference for privacy in relationships through an Instagram post. He wrote,

"I believe there should be a boundary btw private life and social media."

Amendola's Dancing With The Stars debut on September 17, 2024, saw him score 20 out of 30, placing fifth on the opening night. His participation in the show, alongside professional dancer Witney Carson, has brought renewed attention to his personal life despite his previous attempts to maintain privacy.


Xandra Pohl's background and career

Xandra Pohl, born in 2001, has built a significant online presence at the age of 23. Pohl, a University of Miami alum, has over a million TikTok fans. She initially gained fame through collaborations with fellow influencer Alix Earle.

Pohl's career extends beyond social media influence. In April 2024, she was named a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie, marking a significant milestone in her modeling career. Her passion for music has been a constant throughout her life, with her DJ career beginning in high school. At 18, Pohl played her first club gig in Miami, setting the stage for her future in the music industry.


Despite their multiple public appearances together, there is no confirmed romantic relationship between Dancing With The Stars contestant Danny Amendola and TikToker Xandra Pohl. Both parties maintain that they are friends, with Amendola explicitly stating this in his interview with E! News. Amendola's history of preferring privacy in his relationships aligns with his current stance on the speculation.

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Edited by Apoorva Jujjavarapu