Jimmy Kimmel Reacts to Right-Hand Man Guillermo Rodriguez Joining “Dancing with the Stars”
Jimmy Kimmel Reacts to Right-Hand Man Guillermo Rodriguez Joining “Dancing with the Stars”
Brenton BlanchetThu, June 18, 2026 at 3:36 PM UTC
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Guillermo Rodriguez (left) and Jimmy Kimmel on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on June 17, 2026Credit: Jimmy Kimmel Live/Youtube -
Jimmy Kimmel's right-hand man is joining Dancing with the Stars, and Kimmel has a request for him
On Wednesday, June 17, Guillermo Rodriguez revealed he'd be joining season 35 of DWTS
"This person is someone you know, someone you love, he's someone we know quite well," Kimmel told the Jimmy Kimmel Live! audience
Jimmy Kimmel has a special request for Guillermo Rodriguez ahead of his Dancing with the Stars run.
On Wednesday, June 17, Rodriguez, 55, announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he'd be competing in the long-running dance competition series' forthcoming 35th season this fall.
Kimmel's comedy partner shared the news after the host said he'd be revealing the name of "a major celebrity contestant" boarding the new season. "This person is someone you know, someone you love, he's someone we know quite well," Kimmel, 58, said, before turning to Rodriguez himself, who added, "I cannot wait to find out."
The late-night host then announced Rodriguez as the contestant, while a curtain rose and the TV personality stepped out in a flashy blue outfit.
Jimmy Kimmel (left) and Guillermo Rodriguez attend the 86th Annual Peabody Awards on May 31, 2026Credit: Maya Dehlin Spach/WireImage
"This September, Guillermo will become the first ever parking lot security guard to dance with the stars," Kimmel said. "This is gonna be so great."
He added, "Don't lose a single adorable pound, okay? Do you promise?"
"I promise," Rodriguez responded. "If I lose five pounds, I'm gonna gain 10 pounds right away."
Indeed, Rodriguez got his start on Kimmel's show after working as a security guard and eventually becoming Kimmel's right-hand man. In the years since, he's appeared as a correspondent at the Oscars and hosted special segments on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, including his memorable trips to the NBA Finals.
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His casting follows that of Savannah Bananas player Jackson Olson, Summer House's Ciara Miller and The Traitors runner-up Maura Higgins. The full cast of celebrities and pros will be announced Sept. 2, on Good Morning America.
"Beyond excited to be in the ballroom together - when in doubt, shake it out Guillermo 🔥," Julianne Hough commented on Instagram.
"Well, If he ain't my partner he's my biggest competition because I KNOW what these funny men can do 😂😂🔥🔥," Emma Slater added.
Jimmy Kimmel (left) and Guillermo Rodriguez for 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'Credit: Disney/Mark Seliger
Dancing with the Stars season 35, which also airs on ABC, will follow up a season that spawned 72 million finale votes and nearly half a billion votes total. Robert Irwin and pro Witney Carson ultimately won season 34.
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, which will be hosted by Irwin, arrives ahead of the new season and follows "12 exceptional up-and-coming dancers who move into one house and compete in a grueling audition process" for a spot on the cast, per a synopsis. It debuts on July 13.
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DWTS season 35 will premiere in the fall on ABC and Disney+. Episodes will stream next day on Hulu.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
