TL;DR
Turn the school run and nap time into listening time
- Thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and originals
- Listen on your phone, tablet or Echo — also offline
- Cancel anytime
Guillermo Rodriguez, a longtime Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick, has become a fan-favorite contestant on Dancing with the Stars Season 35. Despite consistently low judge scores, he has survived four consecutive weeks of elimination due to strong audience support. His journey from parking lot security guard to television personality highlights his enduring popularity.
Guillermo Rodriguez, best known as the sidekick on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has emerged as a dominant fan-favorite on Dancing with the Stars Season 35. Although he and professional partner Witney Carson have consistently received low scores from the judges, their entertaining performances have secured their place in the competition for four consecutive weeks. This development underscores the disconnect between critical reception and audience preference in reality competition shows.
Rodriguez, 55, and Carson have maintained their position on the show by leveraging their comedic chemistry and signature catchphrase, “Dancing 4 The People.” Their routines, which often include humorous elements such as shirtless reveals and exaggerated dance moves, have resonated with viewers even when they failed to impress judges like Carrie Ann Inaba. The pair’s ability to survive elimination despite ranking at the bottom of the leaderboard has made them a central talking point of the season.
The contestant’s background has drawn significant attention as part of his narrative. Before becoming a television personality, Rodriguez worked three jobs, including a role as a parking lot security guard at the Jimmy Kimmel Live! studios in 2003. According to reports, he was discovered by host Jimmy Kimmel after being found sleeping in the announcer’s car. This origin story has become a key component of his public image, contributing to the sympathy and support he receives from the audience.
Recent incidents have further solidified his standing among fans. After baseball player Jackson Olson mocked Rodriguez on social media, professional dancers reportedly intervened, leading to a public apology from Olson. Rodriguez stated he held no hard feelings but wished Olson had “kept his mouth shut.” Meanwhile, Witney Carson addressed online criticism regarding her effort as a partner, stating in a TikTok video that she is “so truly grateful” to remain in the competition and believes Rodriguez “really deserves” to be there.
DWTS · Season 35 · Fan phenomenon
From Parking Lot to Prime Time
Guillermo Rodriguez has turned a low-scoring run on DWTS into a reminder of how far charm, comedy and audience votes can carry a performer.
Survived despite landing near the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard.
With pro partner Witney Carson, humor is part of the routine.
A familiar face on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Working security at the show’s studio
Witney Carson brings the pro technique
Set to Bad Bunny’s “Titi Me Preguntó”
01 / The audience effect
Votes tell a different story
Judges score precision and artistry. Viewers often reward personality, humor and a story they want to keep watching. Guillermo’s run puts that gap in the spotlight.
02 / Three ingredients
A popularity built over time
His appeal on the ballroom floor connects to the personality viewers have seen for years on late-night television.
A surprising first job
Rodriguez worked several jobs, including as a parking lot security guard at the Jimmy Kimmel Live! studios. Reports say Kimmel discovered him after finding him asleep in the announcer’s car.
Comedy meets choreography
Exaggerated moves and playful reveals make the routines entertaining even when they do not win over the judges. Witney Carson has said she is grateful to be there with him.
A loyal audience follows
Years as a sidekick, red-carpet interviewer and comic foil on Jimmy Kimmel Live! have made Guillermo familiar to viewers well beyond the ballroom.
03 / In their words
Humor is part of the story
The partnership has faced online criticism and plenty of attention, but the response from both dancers has stayed personal and upbeat.
“I get paid no matter what, plus like eight weeks off a year. I never had heard of a hiatus before. Wow!”
— Guillermo Rodriguez
04 / The journey
From the studio lot to the ballroom
A career pivot that began behind the scenes has become a prime-time fan story.
Studio security
In 2003, Rodriguez worked at the Jimmy Kimmel Live! lot while holding multiple jobs.
On-air sidekick
Kimmel offered him a place on the show; he grew into a familiar comedy presence.
DWTS debut
Paired with Witney Carson, he brings comic timing and a fan-first approach to dance.
Audience momentum
Four weeks safe, he faces a narrowing field and the push toward the Mirrorball Trophy.
05 / What comes next
A salsa under the bright lights
The next reported test pairs a Latin dance with a high-energy track and a special guest judge.
Super Bowl Night
Rodriguez and Carson are scheduled to perform a Salsa to Bad Bunny’s “Titi Me Preguntó.” ESPN announcer Joe Buck is set to join as a guest judge. As the field tightens, the balance between technical scores and audience support will matter more.
06 / The conversation
Rumors, with evidence in view
Online speculation about producer influence has circulated, but the supplied reporting cites no evidence that voting is rigged.
What is reported
His survival is attributed to audience votes and the entertainment value of his performances.
What happened
After baseball player Jackson Olson mocked him online, Olson issued a public apology and the two appeared to reconcile.
What remains speculation
Claims of producer interference have not been substantiated. How far Guillermo can go is still unknown.
Audience Power Over Judges in DWTS
The persistence of Guillermo Rodriguez on Dancing with the Stars illustrates the significant influence of audience voting in reality competitions. While judges evaluate technical skill and artistry, the viewing public often prioritizes entertainment value, personality, and narrative appeal. Rodriguez’s case demonstrates that a contestant can remain competitive through sheer popularity, even when lacking the technical proficiency of other competitors. This dynamic affects the strategic decisions of producers and the expectations of other contestants, who must balance technical excellence with mass appeal to survive elimination.
Products Worth Considering
LEGO Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer Building Set (75394)
Owlet Dream Duo 3 Smart Baby Monitor System
Owlet Dream Duo Smart Baby Monitor System – includes 3 months of Owlet360
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
From Security Guard to TV Icon
Rodriguez’s career spans over two decades on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he has served as a sidekick, red carpet interviewer, and comedic foil. His transition from a security guard to a prominent television figure began in 2003 when Kimmel offered him a spot on the show. Initially hesitant due to stage fright, Rodriguez eventually embraced the role, becoming a staple of the program. He is also the godfather of Kimmel’s youngest son, Billy, highlighting the close personal relationship between the two. This long-standing presence in late-night television has built a loyal fan base that has translated into support during his DWTS run.
“I get paid no matter what, plus like eight weeks off a year. I never had heard of a hiatus before. Wow!”
— Guillermo Rodriguez
Speculation on Competition Integrity
Despite insider claims that Rodriguez’s survival is based solely on fan votes, some online commentators remain skeptical. Allegations of producer interference or rigged voting results have circulated on social media platforms, though no evidence supports these claims. It is not yet clear how long Rodriguez can continue to rely on audience support to offset low judge scores as the competition narrows toward the finale. The extent to which producers may strategically schedule his performances or influence public perception remains unconfirmed.
Upcoming Salsa Performance and Finale Push
Rodriguez and Carson are scheduled to perform a Salsa to “Titi Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl Night episode. This performance will be judged by special guest Joe Buck, the ESPN sports announcer. The competition continues live on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC and Disney+. With 11 stars remaining, Rodriguez’s ability to maintain his fan support will be tested as the field tightens and stakes increase for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy.
Key Questions
Why is Guillermo Rodriguez still on Dancing with the Stars despite low scores?
Rodriguez has survived elimination four times due to strong audience voting, which outweighs the low scores given by judges. His comedic performances and popularity from Jimmy Kimmel Live! have secured his place.
What was Guillermo Rodriguez’s job before becoming a TV star?
Before joining Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Rodriguez worked as a parking lot security guard at the show’s studios, as well as a hotel room server and weekend worker.
Did Jackson Olson apologize to Guillermo Rodriguez?
Yes, after mocking Rodriguez on social media, baseball player Jackson Olson issued a public apology and shared a video of the two appearing to reconcile.
Is Dancing with the Stars rigged to keep Guillermo Rodriguez in?
Insiders deny this, stating his presence is due to fan votes. However, online speculation persists, though no evidence supports claims of producer rigging.
Source: The US Sun
