Dancing With the Stars professional Witney Carson has shut down online rumors that she wanted to end her season 35 partnership with television personality Guillermo Rodriguez. Speaking exclusively to E! News following the October 6 Mariah Carey night episode of the hit dance competition, the 32-year-old dancer explained that she stepped forward to address the speculation simply because it was untrue.
Carson explained that she felt compelled to speak out after noticing a growing amount of false speculation circulating across social media platforms. She stated that she wanted to take control of her own story rather than allowing unverified online claims to dictate the public narrative surrounding her partnership on the show.
"Because it's not true," Carson said regarding why she addressed the rumors directly. "And I just don't like narratives that aren't true online without me speaking my truth. I felt like there was enough of it that I did need to clarify, and I needed to get my narrative out. Social media has created such an amazing platform where we can actually do that and we can set the record straight. And I just don't love anything out there that's untrue, so I wanted to clarify."
Carson, who is currently expecting her third baby boy with her husband Carson McAllister, maintained a positive outlook regarding her team's progress on the dance floor. During the broadcast on October 6, Carson and Rodriguez earned a score of 13 points from judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli for their samba performance set to Mariah Carey's hit song "Obsessed."
The score placed Carson and Rodriguez at the bottom of the judge leaderboard for the week. Despite the low score, Carson stressed that the pair are finding their rhythm as the weekly rehearsals continue.
"I feel really good," Carson said. "I feel like we're starting to pick up speed a little bit, and we're in the momentum of the competition and getting into the routine of learning new dances."
Each week presents fresh physical and technical challenges for the pair, particularly given Rodriguez's demanding television shooting schedule. Carson noted that despite the time constraints, both she and Rodriguez are working hard and doing their best during rehearsals.
The rumors also prompted a response from fellow season 35 contestant Jackson Olson. The Savannah Bananas baseball player issued an apology for a comment he had previously made regarding Rodriguez.
Guillermo Rodriguez and Wife Sarai React to Competition
Rodriguez, best known as a mainstay on the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, also expressed optimism about his participation in season 35. He shared that competing on Dancing With the Stars has provided a fun and novel way for him to connect with his wife, Sarai Rodriguez.
According to Rodriguez, Sarai met Carson during the first week of rehearsals and strongly encouraged him to embrace the experience. Sarai reminded him that most of the professional dancers and celebrity contestants are in their 20s and 30s, advising him to enjoy the journey regardless of his lack of formal dance training.
"She met Witney the first week," Rodriguez recalled. "And she's like, 'You gotta do it. You gotta do it. Remember, go have fun. Most of [the dancers] are in their 20s and the 30s. You're not a dancer. Go learn as much from Witney so you can teach me.' And I'm trying to learn as much as I can."
Following his samba routine on Mariah Carey night, Rodriguez told the judging panel that he intends to keep his self-described "diva" mentality throughout the competition. He admitted to E! News after the show that maintaining that high-energy confidence takes deliberate effort on his part.
"Listen, being a diva is hard," Rodriguez confessed. "I think you just gotta change the way you think. You just gotta think, 'You know what? I got this.' Be positive. Own it."
Full Roster of Season 35 Celebrity Contestants
Carson and Rodriguez are competing against a broad cast of actors, athletes, reality stars and musicians all vying for the Mirrorball Trophy on season 35 of the long-running reality competition series.
Actress Julia Stiles, widely recognized for starring in the classic teen movie 10 Things I Hate About You, is partnered with professional dancer Ezra Sosa. Stiles is saving the last dance for her pro partner as she tackles ballroom routines.
Celebrity chef and culinary personality Giada De Laurentiis is turning up the heat in the ballroom alongside pro Alan Bersten, taking on cha-cha routines and dynamic choreography.
Actor Harry Shum Jr., known for his musical roles on television series including Glee, is bringing his performing experience to the dance floor with partner Jenna Johnson.
Musician Taylor Hanson, a former 1990s teen heartthrob from the pop band Hanson, hopes to MMMBop his way to the top of the judges' leaderboard with pro partner Britt Stewart.
Actress Tatyana Ali, famous for her role on the hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, is bringing her fresh moves to the competition alongside professional partner Jan Ravnik.
Dancer and actress Jenna Dewan is stepping up to the ballroom challenge alongside pro Val Chmerkovskiy, exactly twenty years after starring in the landmark dance film Step Up.
Figure skater Amber Glenn, a 2026 Olympic athlete, is transferring her athletic grace and precision from the ice to the ballroom floor with pro partner Pasha Pashkov.
Track and field athlete Ezra Frech, who represents Team USA in the Paralympic Games, is displaying his formidable athleticism on the show alongside pro partner Daniella Karagach.
Reality Stars and Athletes Join Ballroom Roster
Sarah Jane Nader, star of the reality series Love Thy Nader, is attempting her own ballroom journey with pro partner Hailey Bills. Her participation follows her sister Brooks Nader's stint on season 33 of the competition.
Comedian Connor Wood, widely recognized under his social media handle Fibula, is seeking applause on the ballroom floor alongside professional partner Rylee Arnold.
Conner Leavitt, star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is competing with pro Adele Zaikman. He follows in the footsteps of his wife, Whitney Leavitt, who competed on season 34.
Television personality Tyler Cameron, an alumnus of Bachelor Nation, has traded in roses for rumbas as he dances alongside professional partner Sharna Burgess.
Jackson Olson, a baseball player for the Savannah Bananas, is stepping up to the plate with pro partner Emma Slater, transferring his energetic moves from the baseball diamond to the dance floor.
Ciara Miller, star of the reality series Summer House, is preparing for her turn in the ballroom alongside pro partner Brandon Armstrong. In an exclusive interview with E! News in June, Miller discussed her fitness regimen ahead of the competition.
"Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Miller told E! News. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."
Reality television personality Maura Higgins, known for her appearance on Love Island UK, is partnered with professional dancer Mark Ballas. Higgins revealed that competing on the show was something she actively manifested.
In a May interview with E! News, Higgins described creating a dedicated vision board on New Year's Eve to bring her goal to fruition.
"I have a vision board and I redo it every year," Higgins said. "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."
