What began as a playful dance to a Mariah Carey hit turned into one of the most controversial moments of Dancing With the Stars Season 35. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba faced loud boos from the studio audience after questioning Guillermo Rodriguez’s performance alongside his pregnant professional partner, Witney Carson. Now, fans are rallying behind the pair, with some arguing that their determination and popularity deserve a victory regardless of the judges’ scores.
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A Night of Celebration Takes an Unexpected Turn
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, was supposed to be a celebration of music, personality, and entertainment.
The remaining contestants on Dancing With the Stars took to the ballroom for Mariah Carey Night, performing routines inspired by the legendary singer’s biggest hits.
Among the most anticipated couples were Guillermo Rodriguez, the beloved television personality from Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and professional dancer Witney Carson.
Their partnership had already become one of the season’s most talked-about pairings.
Guillermo was not the most technically accomplished dancer in the competition. He knew that, and so did the judges. But his infectious personality, sense of humor, and willingness to embrace every performance had made him a fan favorite.
Carson, meanwhile, was competing while pregnant, making their partnership especially memorable.
For their fourth-week performance, the duo chose Mariah Carey’s 2009 hit “Obsessed.”
Rather than attempting a serious, technically elaborate routine, they leaned into Guillermo’s comedic strengths, delivering a playful samba filled with exaggerated movements and humorous moments.
The audience responded enthusiastically.
But when the music stopped and the judges began speaking, the atmosphere changed dramatically.
EW.com
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Carrie Ann Inaba’s Criticism Leaves the Ballroom Stunned
Following the performance, judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli acknowledged Guillermo’s limitations as a dancer while also recognizing his personality.
Tonioli approached the situation with humor, suggesting that Guillermo had become almost impossible to evaluate using traditional ballroom standards.
Then Carrie Ann Inaba delivered her critique.
Instead of focusing exclusively on the technical shortcomings of the samba, she questioned Guillermo’s energy and enthusiasm.
“Where is all your joy?” she asked.
The remark immediately drew a strong response from the audience.
Boos began echoing through the studio, interrupting Inaba as she attempted to explain her comments.
The judge appeared determined to stand by her assessment.
“Look, this is what I get paid for, people,” she told the audience.
Inaba explained that she wanted Guillermo to embrace the joyful personality that had made him so popular.
Her point was that he seemed to be holding back rather than fully expressing himself through the performance.
But many viewers interpreted her delivery as unnecessarily harsh, especially toward a contestant who had built his appeal around entertainment rather than technical perfection.
Even children in the studio audience reportedly joined the booing.
Cosmopolitan
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The Scores Made the Situation Even More Controversial
Despite the crowd’s enthusiasm, Guillermo and Witney received the lowest scores of the evening.
Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson — Week 4
4
Carrie Ann Inaba
4
Derek Hough
5
Bruno Tonioli
Total score
13/30
The score placed them well behind the evening’s strongest competitors.
For many fans, however, the numbers failed to capture what made Guillermo and Witney’s performances enjoyable.
Their routine was not the most polished of the night, but it succeeded in making the audience laugh, cheer, and connect with the dancers.
The controversy revived a familiar debate about the show’s identity.
Is Dancing With the Stars primarily a competition measuring ballroom technique, or should charisma, audience connection, and entertainment value matter just as much?
The show’s format combines judges’ scores with viewer votes, meaning both elements influence the results.
And Guillermo’s continued survival in the competition demonstrated the strength of his audience support.
EW.com
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Pregnant Witney Carson Refuses to Stay Silent
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For Witney Carson, the criticism was especially frustrating because she believed Guillermo had delivered exactly the character their routine required.
The professional dancer, who is expecting her third child with husband Carson McAllister, has remained fiercely supportive of her celebrity partner throughout the competition.
Speaking to reporters after the show, Carson explained that Guillermo had deliberately adopted a more serious, diva-inspired expression to match Mariah Carey’s song.
In her view, his performance had not demonstrated a loss of enthusiasm. He was simply playing a character.
Carson described Inaba’s criticism as “out of pocket” and insisted that Guillermo’s natural charisma remained as strong as ever.
She also suggested that much of the American viewing audience would disagree with the judge’s interpretation.
Guillermo himself defended the performance, explaining that he had been trying to embody the diva attitude associated with the song.
The following day, Carson made her position even clearer on social media.
She shared a rehearsal video showing herself and Guillermo dancing happily together, accompanied by a message emphasizing that his light could never be dimmed.
In another Instagram Story, she reposted her own remarks defending him and added the unmistakable declaration:
“I said what I said.”
The response delighted supporters who had been waiting to see whether Carson would publicly challenge the judge’s assessment.
Parade
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A Pregnant Professional Dancer Facing an Extraordinary Challenge
Carson’s participation in Season 35 has generated considerable attention even before the latest controversy.
The professional dancer is expecting another baby boy, who will join her two sons, Leo and Jet.
Competing while pregnant has brought additional attention to her partnership with Guillermo, especially as the demands of rehearsals and live performances continue week after week.
Some viewers have questioned whether Carson might prefer an early elimination because of her pregnancy.
She has firmly rejected that speculation.
In public statements, Carson has emphasized that she is grateful to remain in the competition and takes her health and her baby’s well-being seriously.
She has also praised Guillermo for his work ethic, kindness, and willingness to improve.
Rather than expressing frustration with her partner, Carson has repeatedly defended him against online criticism.
Her determination has helped transform their partnership into something more meaningful for many viewers than a conventional celebrity dance pairing.
Their performances have become a story about persistence, mutual support, and finding joy even when the judges’ scores are disappointing.
People.com
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The Unexpected Elimination That Made Fans Question Everything
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The evening’s biggest surprise arrived when the results were announced.
Despite finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard with 13 points, Guillermo and Witney survived another elimination.
Instead, Summer House star Ciara Miller and professional partner Brandon Armstrong were sent home.
Their departure was particularly surprising because they had earned 21 points for their jazz routine, their highest score of the season.
The result demonstrated the power of viewer voting.
Guillermo and Witney had received enough public support to overcome their low judges’ scores, while Ciara and Brandon’s stronger technical performance had not been sufficient to keep them in the competition.
For some fans, this was proof that Guillermo’s personality had become one of the season’s greatest assets.
Others questioned whether it was fair for technically stronger dancers to leave while lower-scoring contestants remained.
The debate quickly expanded beyond Carrie Ann Inaba’s comments, becoming a broader conversation about what audiences should reward on a show that combines professional ballroom dancing with celebrity entertainment.
EW.com
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Jimmy Kimmel Steps In to Defend Guillermo
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Guillermo has also received support from one of the most recognizable people in late-night television: Jimmy Kimmel.
The longtime host has championed his sidekick’s participation in the competition and defended his continued success despite poor scores.
Following the latest controversy, Kimmel argued that Dancing With the Stars is an entertainment program, not simply a professional ballroom championship.
From that perspective, he suggested, Guillermo’s ability to entertain millions of viewers should count for something.
Kimmel also pushed back against claims that Guillermo’s continued participation meant the competition was unfairly favoring him.
For Guillermo’s supporters, the defense reinforced a belief that his performances were succeeding in the way that mattered most to them: making people happy.
And with Carson beside him, Guillermo has continued to approach the competition with humor and enthusiasm, even as the criticism grows louder.
EW.com
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Could Guillermo and Witney Actually Win the Mirrorball Trophy?
The possibility of Guillermo reaching the final, or even winning, has become a subject of passionate discussion among viewers.
There is no question that several competitors have demonstrated significantly stronger technical dancing.
Contestants such as Maura Higgins, Jenna Dewan, Harry Shum Jr., and Ezra Frech have earned much higher scores.
But Dancing With the Stars has never been determined by judges’ scores alone.
The voting public has always played a central role in deciding which contestants remain.
Guillermo’s popularity gives him an advantage that cannot be measured entirely through footwork, posture, or musical timing.
And Carson’s loyalty has helped strengthen the emotional connection between the pair and their supporters.
Still, social media enthusiasm does not guarantee a victory. The couple will need continued voter support to survive future eliminations.
For now, their journey remains one of the season’s most unpredictable stories.
What Happens Next?
8
Guillermo and Witney are scheduled to return to the ballroom on Tuesday, October 13, for the show’s Super Bowl-themed episode.
With 11 couples remaining, the competition is becoming increasingly difficult.
The pair have promised to keep working and preparing for their next performance, despite the criticism surrounding their latest routine.
Meanwhile, Carrie Ann Inaba’s controversial remarks continue to fuel discussion about the responsibilities of a judge.
Some viewers believe she was simply doing her job by identifying weaknesses and encouraging Guillermo to improve.
Others argue that her criticism overlooked the playful character of the routine and unfairly diminished a contestant whose personality has brought enormous entertainment value to the season.
Both perspectives reflect the unusual tension at the heart of the competition: celebrating celebrity personalities while also rewarding genuine dance improvement.
For Guillermo and Witney, however, the immediate objective is much simpler.
They want to keep dancing.
And judging by the support they have received so far, a significant portion of the audience wants exactly the same thing.
Whether their journey ends with the Mirrorball Trophy or an earlier elimination, their partnership has already become one of the defining stories of Season 35.
One thing is certain: Carrie Ann Inaba’s criticism may have earned boos, but it also brought even more attention to the unlikely dancing duo that refuses to give up.
Sources
- ew.com
- people.com
- parade.com
- usmagazine.com
- tvinsider.com
- eonline.com
- cosmopolitan.com
Published October 9, 2026. The article reflects the reported events of the October 6 episode and subsequent reactions.
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