Guillermo Rodriguez, Jimmy Kimmel’s longtime sidekick, is set to compete in “Dancing with the Stars” Season 35 this fall. ABC announced his casting on June 17, and his off-the-stage banter—about pounds, promises, and the work ahead—came with the broader shake-
When Guillermo Rodriguez stepped onto the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” stage in salsa attire, it looked like a joke until he confirmed he was serious about one thing: the fall dance floor. ABC announced on June 17 that the 55-year-old—Kimmel’s beloved sidekick—will join “Dancing with the Stars” Season 35.
Kimmel teased him on air as Rodriguez arrived ready for the challenge. “This is going to be so great. Don’t lose a single adorable pound. Okay, do you promise?” Kimmel joked.
Guillermo answered with his characteristic timing. “I promise if I lose five pounds I’m going to gain ten pounds,” he said, before Kimmel wished him luck.
Rodriguez is best known by his first name. and the transition from late-night to ballroom is a familiar kind of momentum in his career. He joined Kimmel’s talk show in 2003, starting as a security guard in the show’s parking lot. Over time. he became a nightly staple alongside Kimmel. acting as a correspondent on the Oscars red carpet and taking part in regular comedy bits.
Off camera, he’s also built an entrepreneurial side. The Mexican native became a United States citizen in 2005, and in January he launched his own hot sauce brand, Guillermo’s Salsa.
The timing of his move to “Dancing with the Stars” arrives as the series moves beyond its most recent champion. “Dancing with the Stars” concluded Season 34 in November. with wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and pro partner Witney Carson winning the Mirrorball trophy. Irwin is now set to host the franchise’s new spinoff, “Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro,” premiering July 13.
Rodriguez’s casting also lands alongside three other celebrities already confirmed for Season 35. The new lineup includes “Summer House” star Ciara Miller and “Love Island” favorite Maura Higgins—both of whom also appeared on “The Traitors”—as well as Savannah Bananas’ Jackson Olson.
The full cast, including the pros, will be announced Sept. 2 on “Good Morning America.”
Olson’s path to the competition picked up fresh attention after a widely shared reaction at the May 12 Disney Upfronts. where his casting was confirmed. Following the news. Olson’s girlfriend Maggie Sajak—daughter of former “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak—wrote on her Instagram Story that she is “beyond proud” of the exhibition baseball team’s second baseman. She added: “The dance floor better get ready.”.
Higgins and Miller, meanwhile, drew upbeat responses as they stepped into the season’s momentum from other TV corners. On April 12. Higgins and Miller became the first two cast members announced for Hulu’s “Get Real House.” Higgins. who attended the event in person. said she had “DWTS” on her vision board. adding. “I manifested it real hard.”.
Higgins also described her commitment to the show in blunt terms. “It’s the one show I really want to do. This is the last show I want to do as a contestant,” she explained. She said she “turned down anything that would jeopardize ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in America. ” including the Irish version of “DWTS” and the UK’s “Strictly Come Dancing.”.
She said she hoped to be paired with pro Mark Ballas, who she starred alongside with on “The Traitors” Season 4. And as rehearsals approach, she mapped out her priorities. “I’m not going to start working my ass off now. because by the time August comes. I’ll be absolutely shattered. ” she said. “I’m going to take some daytime naps because I’m going to need it.”.
Miller’s announcement came with a different kind of scheduling reality. She was unable to attend the “Get Real” event in Los Angeles because she was filming the “Summer House” reunion in New York City. Still. she shared her reaction in a video message: “I wanted to be there. I wish I could be there. but I had some unfinished business in New York that I need to wrap up.” She added. “But I am so excited to join Season 35. I feel like this is the perfect moment; I’m opening a new chapter. I can’t wait to put my energy on the dance floor.”.
Guillermo Rodriguez Dancing with the Stars DWTS Season 35 Jimmy Kimmel Mark Ballas Maura Higgins Ciara Miller Jackson Olson Mirrorball trophy Robert Irwin Witney Carson Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro ABC Hulu