Loco Beach Coconuts athlete and Dancing With the Stars contestant Jackson Olson publicly apologized to fellow competitor Guillermo Rodriguez on October 6 following intense online backlash. The controversy stemmed from comments Olson made criticizing Rodriguez’s performance on the hit ABC dance competition series.
The dispute began on October 3 when the team account Loco Beach Coconuts published a video featuring player Erik Ostberg recreating Rodriguez’s Yacht Rock Night routine. Ostberg wore a shirt that read “Dancing 4 the People” during the recreation. Olson quickly drew heavy criticism from viewers after leaving a since-deleted comment questioning how Ostberg managed to perform the routine better than Rodriguez despite only having two hours of rehearsal time.
Viewers and fans immediately rallied to defend Rodriguez and his professional dance partner, Witney Carson, accusing Olson of unnecessary disrespect. In response to the growing wave of criticism, the Loco Beach Coconuts team account updated their video caption to add proper choreography credits recognizing Carson’s work.
Addressing the controversy head-on, Olson shared a reconciliation video alongside Rodriguez on Instagram. In the lighthearted clip, the two contestants lip-synced to Hannah Montana’s hit song “Nobody’s Perfect” while wearing matching sunglasses and sharing a dance.
“To G and to all of you, from the bottom of my heart I am so sorry about my comment I made the other day and that it caused this much negativity,” Olson wrote in the caption accompanying the video. “I love this guy ❤️ now let’s do what this show is meant to be about.. DANCE 🕺 ily G.”
Inside the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Dynamics
While Rodriguez has frequently landed at the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard during Season 35, he has maintained a dedicated fan base and widespread support from viewers voting at home. Late-night host John Oliver recently shared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that his young sons are completely obsessed with the show solely because of Rodriguez’s spirited run.
Professional partner Witney Carson has consistently defended Rodriguez’s hard work and lack of prior dance experience in the ballroom. Following the season premiere, Carson emphasized that the show is designed as a popularity and entertainment contest rather than a strict professional dance tournament.
“If it were truly a dance competition, every single celebrity would come into the competition with the same level of dance experience,” Carson noted in an Instagram Story. “So it isn’t fair, and that’s the point. The point is to vote for your favorite, and that’s why the voting system is in place.”
Both Olson-who is partnered with Emma Slater-and Rodriguez are continuing their journey on Dancing With the Stars, airing live on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jackson Olson and Guillermo Rodriguez
Why did Jackson Olson apologize to Guillermo Rodriguez?
Jackson Olson issued a public apology after posting a critical, since-deleted comment on a Loco Beach Coconuts social media video that fans interpreted as disrespectful toward Rodriguez’s dancing performance on Dancing With the Stars.
How did Jackson Olson and Guillermo Rodriguez resolve the issue?
The two contestants posted a collaborative video on Instagram set to Hannah Montana’s song “Nobody’s Perfect,” where they lip-synced, wore matching sunglasses, and danced together to show there were no hard feelings.
What was the original comment that caused the backlash?
Olson commented on a video of teammate Erik Ostberg recreating a DWTS routine, writing, “But seriously, how did you do this better than him with 2 hours of rehearsal,” which fans viewed as a direct jab at Rodriguez.
Who are Jackson Olson and Guillermo Rodriguez paired with on DWTS Season 35?
Jackson Olson is partnered with professional dancer Emma Slater, while Guillermo Rodriguez is partnered with professional dancer Witney Carson.
When does Dancing With the Stars air?
Dancing With the Stars airs live on ABC and streams on Disney+ every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.
