After five weeks of competing on Dancing With the Stars while pregnant with her third child, professional dancer Witney Carson says she is completely satisfied with her and Guillermo Rodriguez’s elimination from the hit ABC competition series. The pair officially parted ways with the show during the October 13 episode, and Carson opened up about their exit shortly after during a public appearance in Los Angeles.
Speaking to E! News at Selena Gomez’s Fourth Annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit Supporting Youth Mental Health on October 14, Carson shared that both performers felt a natural sense of closure regarding their run on season 35. Rodriguez, known for his comedic contributions on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, formed a memorable partnership with the seasoned pro that captured viewer attention.
"Both Guillermo and I were very content with the results," Carson told E! News during the event. Reflecting on the physical toll of the grueling rehearsal schedule and live shows, she added, "We were both really tired and we were like, ‘Maybe this is the God and the universe telling us you need to take a break now.’ So, we were okay with it."
Navigating Pregnancy on Live Television
Competing on a high-intensity dance show is demanding, but doing so while pregnant brought unique challenges for the 32-year-old dancer. Already a mother to two young boys with her husband, Carson McAllister, the reality star admitted that watching her body change on live television was daunting.
"I’m so proud of myself," Carson reflected. "It was scary every single week to have your body change and get bigger. Even though it is a blessing, I don’t think we talk about what’s happening with our bodies and it was happening on live television."
Though she executed demanding routines-including dropping dramatically into mid-pregnancy splits-Carson confessed that she dealt with back pain following their departure. Nevertheless, she expressed gratitude for the encouragement she received throughout her journey, noting how supported she felt by women everywhere watching the show.
Looking Back at a Bittersweet Departure
Following their elimination, Jimmy Kimmel Live! aired a special tribute montage celebrating Carson and Rodriguez’s season 35 journey. Carson admitted that watching the segment stirred up heavy emotions.
"It was very bittersweet," she said. "This man brought so much joy to so many people every week. So, he will be very missed. I will miss him a lot, for sure."
Throughout the season, Rodriguez and Carson relied on fan voting to survive multiple weeks in the bottom three despite lower scores from the judging panel. Rodriguez praised Carson for her patience and dedication, while Carson defended his tireless work ethic in the studio.
Embracing Rest and Family Life
With her time on Dancing With the Stars concluded for the season, Carson is shifting her complete focus toward rest, relaxation, and preparing for the arrival of her third child-a baby boy. She recently shared that her young sons are thrilled about the upcoming addition, particularly her youngest, who humorously welcomed the news of a brother because he joked he wasn’t currently "liking girls."
As season 35 of the ballroom competition continues with the remaining celebrity and pro pairings, Carson leaves behind a legacy of resilience, proving that determination and joy can shine brightly no matter what challenges life-or the dance floor-throw your way.
