Guillermo Rodriguez breathed a sigh of relief after learning that his Dancing With the Stars professional partner Witney Carson is pregnant with her third child. The 55-year-old Jimmy Kimmel Live! security guard and television personality said the pregnancy means the duo will take frequent food breaks during their intense rehearsal schedule for season 35 of the hit dance competition series.
Carson, 32, revealed the news following the official cast announcement on September 2, 2026. She admitted feeling nervous before telling Rodriguez that she and her husband, Carson McAllister, are expecting another baby. Recalling their conversation, Carson said Rodriguez immediately saw the practical benefits for their training sessions, noting that her pregnancy would ensure regular stops to eat.
Carson described balancing her professional career with expanding her family as a blessing. She added that working while pregnant provides an opportunity to demonstrate what women can accomplish on television, praising Rodriguez as a supportive partner throughout their early training.
Guillermo Rodriguez on food breaks and rehearsals
Rodriguez echoed Carson's enthusiasm during rehearsals, praising her determination to dance while expecting. "You know why she's pregnant and dancing?" Rodriguez said. "Because women are the best. Women are the best people."
Addressing how he feels as he prepares for his ballroom debut, Rodriguez described his mood using four words: "Good, happy, great, excited." He added that the pair have already completed roughly four rehearsal sessions together, noting that the cast is amazing and that the competition feels real and wonderful as they get into the groove of training.
Rodriguez also offered a humorous prediction regarding how his late-night colleague, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, will react to his upcoming dance performances. The long-time sidekick expected Kimmel to tease him on air about his coordination during routines.
"He's gonna make a lot of fun of me," Rodriguez joked, explaining the physical challenges he faces when executing dance choreography. "My body-my belly stays here, and my legs go that way. I wanna go the entire body that way, but I can't. So, he's gonna make fun of me, but it's all good, all good."
Despite the expected teasing, Rodriguez emphasized his commitment to testing his abilities on the dance floor. "I'm just gonna, you know, show that that I can do it, and I'm trying my best," he explained. "I'm putting a lot of effort, 100 percent."
Full Dancing With the Stars season 35 cast list
The full cast lineup for season 35 of Dancing With the Stars features a mix of actors, musicians, reality television personalities, social media creators, and decorated professional athletes paired with veteran ballroom pros.
Hollywood actress Julia Stiles, famous for starring in the 1999 teen romantic comedy film 10 Things I Hate About You, will save the last dance for her professional partner Ezra Sosa. Celebrity chef and author Giada De Laurentiis is turning up the heat in the ballroom as she pairs with dancer Alan Bersten.
Former Glee actor Harry Shum Jr., known for bringing his musical and dance talents to television, is taking to the dance floor alongside pro Jenna Johnson. Meanwhile, Taylor Hanson, former 1990s teen heartthrob from the pop-rock band Hanson, hopes to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard with partner Britt Stewart.
Actress Tatyana Ali, best known for playing Ashley Banks on the classic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, will bring her fresh moves to the competition alongside partner Jan Ravnik. Actress and dancer Jenna Dewan, stepping up to the challenge two decades after starring in the 2006 hit movie Step Up, is paired with Val Chmerkovskiy.
Athletes and reality stars enter the ballroom
The new season features notable figures from international sports. 2026 Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn will transfer her athleticism from the ice to the ballroom alongside partner Pasha Pashkov. Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete Ezra Frech will display his physical conditioning on the dance floor with partner Daniella Karagach.
Reality television stars and digital influencers also join the competition roster. Sarah Jane Nader, star of Love Thy Nader, is paired with pro Hailey Bills, following in the footsteps of her sister Brooks Nader, who competed on season 33 of the series.
Comedian and podcast host Connor Wood, known to fans as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn applause alongside partner Rylee Arnold. Conner Leavitt, star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is following his wife Whitney Leavitt onto the show after she competed on season 34. He is paired with pro Adele Zaikman.
Former The Bachelor contestant Tyler Cameron is trading roses for rumbas with pro Sharna Burgess. Jackson Olson, player for the exhibition baseball team Savannah Bananas, is stepping up to the plate to bring his signature baseball dance moves to the ballroom with pro Emma Slater.
Contestants on fitness and vision board goals
Bravo personality Ciara Miller, star of Summer House, is preparing for her turn in the ballroom alongside pro Brandon Armstrong. Miller previously spoke about her fitness preparation, noting that physical appearance does not automatically equal stamina for intense dance training.
"Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Miller said in an interview in June. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."
Love Island UK alumna Maura Higgins is set to compete with returning professional dancer Mark Ballas after actively manifesting the opportunity on her personal vision board. Higgins revealed that she stayed home alone on New Year's Eve to focus on her goals for the upcoming year.
"I have a vision board and I redo it every year," Higgins said in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."
