Guillermo Rodriguez has heard the theory that his Dancing With the Stars partnership with Witney Carson is built for an early exit, and he has no intention of following that script.
The speculation surfaced after Carson revealed two major pieces of news during the same August 17 appearance. She is expecting her third child and will compete on Season 35 with Rodriguez. Some viewers immediately theorized that producers paired the reigning champion with the Jimmy Kimmel Live! personality because they expected him to be eliminated before her pregnancy progressed further.
Rodriguez addressed that prediction when Rosie O’Donnell guest-hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! on August 19. Asked whether he expected to be voted off early, he pushed back and said he is working toward a much more ambitious finish.
Carson has spoken enthusiastically about competing while pregnant, while Rodriguez has already begun rehearsals and learned that his first ballroom assignment will be a cha-cha.
Guillermo Says He Wants the Finals, Not an Early Exit
Rodriguez did not hedge when O’Donnell brought up the prediction. “That’s not going to happen because I’m trying my best and I’m working hard and I want to go all the way to the finals!” he said, according to Just Jared.
He acknowledged that rehearsals have already been “very tiring” and said he is learning “little by little.” His first dance will be the cha-cha, giving Carson her first opportunity to see how her new celebrity partner handles a competitive ballroom routine.
Rodriguez enters the season without the dance background associated with some previous contestants, but an early reputation as a likely elimination does not necessarily predict how viewers will vote. Season 34 offered a recent example in Andy Richter, who remained in the competition until Week 9 despite repeatedly receiving lower judges’ scores than several contestants eliminated before him.
Fans Connected the Pairing to Carson’s Pregnancy
The Express collected reactions from social media users who speculated that Rodriguez had been selected for Carson because producers expected the couple to leave before the later stages of the season.
The idea gained traction partly because Carson is entering the competition four months pregnant. During her Good Morning America appearance, Carson acknowledged that competing this far into a pregnancy was unfamiliar and “very daunting,” but she also made clear that she does not intend to minimize or hide it.
When someone suggested she could conceal her bump with “fringe and rhinestones,” Carson rejected the idea. “I don’t want to hide it,” she said. “I’m so proud of it, and I’m going to kick butt while doing it.”
Carson Says Guillermo Is the Kind of Partner She Wanted This Season
Carson also sounded genuinely pleased when she revealed Rodriguez as her partner. “I was so stoked,” she said on Good Morning America. “I think he is so sweet. He’s so fun. That’s exactly what I need in this season of life that I’m in, just someone who’s fun, personable.”
She enters Season 35 as the reigning professional champion. Carson and Robert Irwin won Season 34 together in November 2025, earning her a second Mirrorball Trophy. Her first came with current DWTS co-host Alfonso Ribeiro in Season 19 in 2014.
The remaining celebrity cast members and professional pairings will be revealed September 2 on Good Morning America before Dancing With the Stars begins its two-night Season 35 premiere September 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. on ABC and Disney+.