Reality TV suffered one of its biggest shocks this year when Guillermo Rodriguez was officially announced as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars Season 35.
Guillermo, a fixture as a sidekick on Jimmy Kimmel Live and one of late night TV’s most beloved personalities, is swapping the studio floor for the ballroom stage. The announcement came during the June 17 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and it was quickly among the most discussed casting reveals for the upcoming season.# Guillermo Rodriguez Comes Into His Own
That disclosure was memorable. Jimmy Kimmel revealed Guillermo in a sparkling blue dance costume on the show, moving him from comedy skits to the ballroom competition.
Kimmel marked the occasion with his signature humor, joking that Guillermo was making history as the first parking lot security guard to compete on Dancing with the Stars. The joke was about Guillermo’s unbelievable metamorphosis from studio employee to television fan favorite.
The two also had a tongue-in-cheek discussion about the busy rehearsal schedule ahead. Kimmel joked with Guillermo about not losing too much weight as he trains, while Guillermo joked he’d just put any pounds lost back on.# Celebrity Lineup Grows for Season 35
Guillermo is the fourth celeb confirmed for the upcoming season, joining a cast that’s already raising expectations with fans.
Contestants announced include:
Jackson Olson, Savannah Bananas baseball player and social media personality
Ciara Miller, who is known for her appearances on Bravo’s Summer House
- Maura Higgins, the popular reality television star of Love Island and The Traitors
More celebrity announcements are still to come and it looks like Season 35 will have one of the most diverse casts in recent years.### Can Guillermo Be This Season’s Breakout Star?
Guillermo may not have the athletic credentials of some of his fellow contestants, but he has something just as important: natural charisma.
Audiences have responded to Guillermo’s humor, authenticity and ability to entertain without trying too hard over the years. Those attributes could make him a real player when the live shows begin.
There are often more ways than one to find success on Dancing with the Stars. Viewers tend to root for contestants who are relatable, hardworking and just plain fun to watch, qualities Guillermo has displayed throughout his television career.When Will Fans Know His Professional Dance Partner?
Fans will have to wait a bit longer to see who will take Guillermo through the competition.
The professional couples and other celebrity cast members along with the official premiere date are expected to be revealed Sept. 2 during Good Morning America.
speculation is already heating up as to who might be the perfect dance professional match for the late-night star until then.# Dancing With The Stars Is Back This Fall
The hit competition series will once again be televised live on ABC and Disney+ and will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.
With Season 35 on the way, Guillermo’s addition brings a new dose of excitement to the competition. Either way, he will be one of the contestants fans will be watching most closely, whether he becomes a true contender for the Mirrorball Trophy or just provides some of the most entertaining moments of the season.## Conclusion
There’s always a contestant who’s more than just a good dancer on every season of Dancing with the Stars. Guillermo Rodriguez has all the right ingredients to be that contestant in Season 35.
His humor, his personality, his underdog status could make him one of the biggest fan favorites the show has had in years. Now the only question is if that popularity can take him all the way to the Mirrorball Trophy.