However, the announcement came with another surprise. Carson revealed that she would have an additional little partner joining her on the dance floor, announcing that she is expecting a baby.
The dancer, who shares two sons, Leo and Jet, with her husband, Carson McAllister, explained that she would be competing while approximately four months pregnant. The couple married in 2016, and the new arrival will mark another major milestone for their family.
Carson admitted that the prospect of competing while pregnant felt daunting because she had never experienced anything like it during her Dancing With the Stars career. Nevertheless, she described the opportunity as a blessing and said she was excited to see what her body could accomplish.
She also made it clear that she did not want to hide her pregnancy during the competition. Rather than disguising her growing bump with costumes, Carson said she was proud of creating new life and wanted to embrace the experience while continuing to perform.
Her comments reflected both the physical challenge ahead and her determination to approach the season with confidence. She also expressed hope that Rodriguez would support her as they worked together as a team.
Strahan celebrated the announcement by surprising Carson with a gift basket filled with baby clothes and toys, including a onesie featuring the Good Morning America branding.
Rodriguez is among the first celebrity contestants confirmed for Season 35. Other announced participants include Ciara Miller from Summer House, Maura Higgins from The Traitors, and Jackson Olson, a player with the Savannah Bananas baseball team. The full cast lineup was scheduled to be revealed on the September 2 episode of Good Morning America.
News of Carson and Rodriguez’s partnership generated enthusiastic reactions on social media. Fans expressed excitement about the pairing, with some comparing Rodriguez to Andy Richter, who competed on a previous season, while others celebrated the prospect of seeing Carson dance during pregnancy.
For Carson, the upcoming season represents more than another shot at the Mirrorball Trophy. It is also an opportunity to embrace motherhood while continuing to pursue her professional ambitions, making Season 35 a particularly personal chapter in her Dancing With the Stars journey.
Source: Compiled from various sources.
Witney Carson is preparing for an especially memorable season of Dancing With the Stars, with a new celebrity partner and a major personal milestone making the upcoming competition unlike any she has experienced before.
The professional dancer appeared on Good Morning America on August 17, where she revealed that she would be paired with Guillermo Rodriguez, best known as Jimmy Kimmel’s sidekick on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, for Season 35 of the popular dance competition.
Carson told host Michael Strahan that she was excited about the partnership, describing Rodriguez as sweet, fun and personable. She said his personality was exactly what she needed during this stage of her life and expressed hope that the two would build a strong connection throughout the competition.