Jimmy Kimmel’s longtime sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez will dance on Dancing With the Stars season 35 this fall, joining a growing cast that already includes Ciara Miller, Maura Higgins, and Jackson Olson—while ABC and Disney+ set the premiere for later this yea
Jimmy Kimmel made the announcement during his own show, and by the time he finished joking about Guillermo Rodriguez’s first ballroom move, it was clear: Dancing With the Stars season 35 is gaining momentum fast.
On the Wednesday. June 17 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!. the comedian—58—said his onscreen sidekick. Guillermo Rodriguez—55—will be joining the competition “this fall.” Kimmel delivered the news with his trademark flair: “This September. Guillermo will become the first-ever parking lot security guard to dance with the stars. ” adding. “Don’t lose a single adorable pound!”.
Rodriguez has been a fixture on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for 23 years. He started on the program as a security guard, and the quirky chemistry he built with Kimmel later led to an on-air sidekick role and red carpet interviewing.
The ballroom lineup. though. is still in flux—and ABC and Disney+ won’t be the only platforms with a stake in what happens next. A full list of cast members (including stars and pro dancers) is set to be unveiled on September 2 on Good Morning America. Dancing With the Stars will premiere this fall on ABC and Disney+.
There’s also one more new name on the horizon: a new dancer from The Next Pro, hosted by season 34 mirrorball winner Robert Irwin, is set to join the series.
Kimmel’s announcement lands one month after DWTS confirmed that Savannah Bananas’ Jackson Olson would be part of season 35. It also follows weeks earlier when news broke that Summer House star Ciara Miller and Love Island’s Maura Higgins would be trying their hand at the competition.
For Maura, the talk isn’t just about training—it’s about who she doesn’t want. After explaining that the “training is meant to be quite grueling. ” Maura—35—told Us Weekly in May that she hoped to be paired with Mark Ballas. “That’s why I want Mark [Ballas], because maybe he might go easy on me a bit. But then I do probably need to be pushed.”.
Mark. who connected with Maura on season 4 of The Traitors—won by Rob Rausch—has said he’s “not sure” if he will return for DWTS season 35. Still, Maura said she’s prepared with a backup plan. If it’s not Mark, she said she’d prefer Val Chmerkovskiy. “If it’s not Mark, I think I’d want Val [Chmerkovskiy],” she told Us. “I mean, to be honest, I’m OK to have anyone else. I just don’t want Gleb [Savchenko]. That’s the main thing for me.”.
Maura’s feelings toward Gleb extend beyond the ballroom. She referenced his on-off relationship with her friend Brooks Nader and said it matters to her because she considers herself loyal. “It’s not even being mean. It’s just because I get on with Brooks and that’s that. I’m on Brooks’ side. ” Maura told Us. adding. “I’m a loyalist. OK?” She also pointed back to her The Traitors experience from season 4. where she was famously betrayed by Rob Rausch—27—in the finale. In the aftermath, Maura said she was gifted a Birkin for her troubles.
Ciara, meanwhile, has her own pairing wish. Her casting was announced amid ongoing controversy surrounding Summer House costar and ex West Wilson’s romance with ex-BFF Amanda Batula. Speaking during the May Met Gala livestream, Ciara—telling E!. News—said she’s set on Val as her partner. “I’ve been campaigning for Val,” Ciara said. “I don’t know if they hear me, but yeah, sending out some emails, putting my word in. We’ll see where everyone wants to place me.”.
Behind the scenes, the momentum is just as busy. After confirming the reality competition’s renewal. Hulu shared at the Get Real House event in April that Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins would be joining DWTS. In late April. executive producer and casting head Deena Katz said the team is already working through the details that shape the season’s direction. On Sunday. April 26. Katz told The Hollywood Reporter that the production team is “deep into it. ” explaining. “We’re already deep into casting. we’re talking themes — we’re talking everything.”.
Dancing With the Stars season 35 isn’t due to arrive just yet. but the pieces are assembling quickly: Guillermo Rodriguez stepping in as the next unexpected personality. Jackson Olson already confirmed. and Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins pushing for the partners they believe will make all the difference. With cast details still headed for a September 2 reveal on Good Morning America. the fall premiere is approaching—without a specific date announced yet.
Jimmy Kimmel Guillermo Rodriguez Dancing With the Stars DWTS season 35 ABC Disney+ Jackson Olson Savannah Bananas Ciara Miller Summer House Maura Higgins Love Island Val Chmerkovskiy Mark Ballas Gleb Savchenko Robert Irwin The Next Pro Deena Katz
Wait so Guillermo is gonna dance?? I thought he was just like… background security 😂
Parking lot security guard to dance with the stars sounds like a joke that somehow became real. Like does he actually have dance training or is it all gonna be improv from Kimmel?
I’m confused because it says premiere later this year but also “this fall” and “this September”?? Like pick one date. Also Ciara Miller and Maura Higgins already sounds like two different shows mashed together, so I’m not sure why they’re bringing random reality people in again.
Honestly I don’t even watch DWTS, but I feel like this is just because Jimmy Kimmel needs more screen time for Guillermo. If he’s been on TV for 23 years, why wouldn’t he already be a dancer lol. Also who cares about September 2 announcements, just start the season already.