The longtime “Jimmy Kimmel Live” sidekick has been paired with reigning winner, Witney Carson, on the reality competition series’ upcoming season.

Guillermo Rodriguez says he’s gained 10 lbs. while training for Dancing With the Stars: ‘I go eat right away’

The longtime “Jimmy Kimmel Live” sidekick has been paired with reigning winner, Witney Carson, on the reality competition series’ upcoming season.

By Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman

Ryan Coleman is a news writer for with previous work in MUBI Notebook, Slant, and the LA Review of Books.

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September 9, 2026 5:54 p.m. ET

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Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson for ‘Dancing With the Stars’ season 35. Credit:

Disney/Andrew Eccles

- Guillermo Rodriguez says he’s gained 10 lbs. since kicking off rehearsals for *Dancing With the Stars*.

- The *Jimmy Kimmel Live* sidekick has been paired with last season’s winner Witney Carson for the upcoming 35th season.

- “You know, typically the contestants will lose weight dancing three hours a day, five days a week,” Jimmy Kimmel pointed out, to which Rodriguez said he’s “so hungry.”

They call *Dancing With the Stars* celebrity bootcamp for a reason. Grueling, hours-long rehearsals, strict call times, punishing live tapings. Many stars have exited the experience and reported a marked increase in their feeling of fitness. But there’s an exception to every rule.

Longtime *Jimmy Kimmel Live** *sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez flipped the script on Tuesday’s episode of the late night show. Host Jimmy Kimmel was gearing up to skewer the latest news from the realms of culture and politics when he stopped to give Rodriguez his due.

“I do want to mention, one week from tonight, Guillermo, our very own Guillermo, will officially become a dancing star,” Kimmel noted. Indeed, Rodriguez and season 34 champ, pro Witney Carson, were the first pairing revealed for the upcoming 35th season. Carson must be doing something right, having won two seasons of the reality competition series and placed in the finals six more times. Part of her stellar track record is how hard she drives her celebrity partners to succeed.

“It’s going good, Jimmy. It’s a lot of work. My body hurts, but I think I’m going to be doing this,” Rodriguez shared, adding that he’s been rehearsing three hours every weekday. So is he feeling the burn? Not exactly.

“Have you lost any weight at all?” Kimmel asked, to which Rodriguez replied, “Oh, unfortunately not.”

Kimmel asked how that’s even possible, knowing that “typically the contestants will lose weight dancing three hours a day, five days a week.” Rodriguez explained, “But it’s after the practice, I go eat right away. I’m so hungry.”

The late night host joked that it seems Rodriguez hasn’t just plateaued, but has “gained weight since I saw you.” Rodriguez cracked up, admitting, “Yeah, like 10 lbs.”

‘Dancing With the Stars’ reveals full season 35 cast, including Jenna Dewan, Giada De Laurentiis, more

‘DWTS’ reveals Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson as first season 35 pairing

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With affection in his voice, Kimmel praised his sidekick for “achieving the impossible.” Rodriguez wholesomely responded, “I’m having fun, Jimmy.”

Guillermo Rodriguez on a 2026 episode of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’.

Disney/Randy Holmes

Even with Carson at his side, Rodriguez will face tough competition this year.

The season 35 cast includes former pro dancers (Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr.), actors who have at least *played *pro dancers (Julia Stiles), and Olympians, who tend to do well on the show (Amber Glenn and Ezra Frech).

Dewan has even faced criticism for her casting, as some fans believe her experience backup dancing for acts like Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott, plus her part in the *Step Up** *franchise, gives her too much of a competitive edge. The *Rookie** *star defended her place in an interview with * *following the casting announcement, saying, “I do not know how to ballroom dance. Let’s be clear. It’s two different languages... It’s a new technique, brand new technique. It almost threw me off initially because I had to unlearn a lot of — I don’t want to say bad habits — but just habits of the style that I’m used to.”

The *Dancing With the Stars* two-night premiere airs Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.

- Dancing with the Stars Fandom

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Source: “EW Dancing”