Bindi Chandler’s bombshell
They’re more in love than ever, with Bindi calling him The One, but homesick Chandler wants to return to the US – and take her with him
Hurricanei I Irma changedh d the lives of millions of Americans, and Bindi Irwin’s boyfriend Chandler Powell – more than 14,000km away at Australia Zoo in Queensland – couldn’t help but be changed by the disaster, too.
Even though his own home in Florida was left relatively unscathed by the storm, it made the handsome young wakeboarder realise how much he misses his family – so much so, he’s begging his girlfriend to let him return.
“Chandler was swept off his feet by the whole idea of dating Bindi and living Down Under,” a source says.
“There is no doubt he thinks the world of Bindi, but his mum’s had a few health issues recently and it hit home to him that he was thousands of miles away and not there to take care of her.
“His parents would much rather he lived near them, and not on the opposite side of the world, and it’s putting stress on his relationship with Bindi.
“The novelty of living in Australia may be wearing off for him a little.”
As much as Chandler adores Bindi, he’s desperately homesick and yearns to return to the US after living more or less at Australia Zoo for 18 months, playing second-fiddle to Bindi as she continues her work keeping her father Steve Irwin’s legacy alive.
While Chandler enjoys life at Australia Zoo, the pull of his parents Shannan and Chris – who lost power and were briefly uncontactablet t bl d duringi th the recentt hurricane – and his previous life is now stronger than ever.
“Chandler is from a small town near Tampa and is very close to his family and friends,” says the source, adding his parents were very disappointed when he quit his degree at the University of Central Florida and moved to Australia. “They are really tugging on his heartstrings right now, especially as they rarely see him anymore.”
Chandler’s looming 21st birthday next month has heightened his homesickness. He wants to celebrate the landmark birthday with his parents, family and friends and spend a few months in Florida.
And while he is almost always smiling with Bindi in public, he feels the pressure of dating Australia’s most famous teenager, and would love to escape the spotlight and live like a normal couple – and not in the zoo, where he sometimes feels like one of the exhibits.
“Bindi was stunned when Chandler suddenly announced he wanted to go back home f for an extendedt dd break,” the source says. “And even though he asked her to go with him, Bindi is worried it could be a sign of things to come if they do announce their engagement and take their relationship to the next level.
“She’s worried sick he’s never going to fully adopt Australia and will always feel the pull to go home to America.”
Just last week, Bindi, 19, publicly declared her love for Chandler, saying she doesn’t take their love for granted.
“I believe there’s always someone for everyone and when you find that one, as we have found each other, it’s a real blessing and a privilege,” she told The Australian Women’s Weekly. “It is not something to be taken lightly.
“We’re lucky to have found each other. And you have to hold on to that love when you find it.”