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Witney Carson Shuts Down DWTS Rumors
TV & Streaming

Witney Carson Shuts Down DWTS Rumors About Guillermo Rodriguez Partnership: “Because It’s Not True”

Dancing With the Stars professional Witney Carson is setting the record straight after social media speculation suggested she wanted to leave the competition with her celebrity partner, Guillermo Rodriguez. The Season 35 duo has faced plenty of attention during the competition, particularly because Carson is pregnant with her third child and the pair have repeatedly found themselves near the bottom of the leaderboard. But Carson says viewers should not mistake her reactions during elimination for a desire to go home. In a new interview with E! News, the longtime DWTS pro directly addressed the rumors and explained why she felt compelled to speak out. ([E! Online][1]) Witney Carson: “Because It’s Not True” Carson didn’t mince words when asked why she decided to respond to the online speculation. “Because it’s not true,” the professional dancer said, explaining that she dislikes seeing inaccurate narratives spread about her without having an opportunity to share her side. The 32-year-old said social media gives celebrities a way to correct misinformation directly. Rather than allowing assumptions about her feelings toward Guillermo to continue circulating, she wanted fans to hear her perspective. Carson emphasized that she feels good about her partnership and believes the pair are continuing to improve as the season progresses. ([E! Online][2]) Why Fans Thought Witney Wanted to Be Eliminated The speculation appears to have grown after Carson and Guillermo repeatedly landed in the bottom three. Some viewers interpreted Carson’s facial expressions when another couple was eliminated as disappointment that she and Guillermo had survived. But Carson has previously explained that her reaction wasn’t about wanting to leave the show. Instead, she said she feels genuine sadness for the contestants who are sent home. Once the results are announced, her emotional response reflects sympathy for the departing couples—not frustration that she and Guillermo are still competing. ([E! Online][3]) That distinction became particularly important as online discussions continued to circulate around the pair. Carson Says Her Partnership With Guillermo Is Improving Despite their position on the leaderboard, Carson believes the partnership is moving in the right direction. Following their performance during Mariah Carey Night, the duo received 13 points from judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli for their samba to “Obsessed.” Although the score didn’t place them among the night’s strongest performers, Carson said she feels they are beginning to gain momentum. She described the process as getting into a better rhythm with each new dance and said the pair are doing their best despite the challenges involved. ([E! Online][2]) Guillermo Rodriguez Is Putting in the Work Carson has also been vocal about Guillermo’s commitment to the competition. The Jimmy Kimmel Live! personality entered Dancing With the Stars without being a professional dancer, making the experience a major learning curve. According to Carson, however, Guillermo continues to work hard and remains determined to improve. She has previously praised his work ethic, saying he keeps practicing even when she needs to take a break during rehearsals. That effort has helped make him increasingly popular with viewers. ([EW.com][4]) Guillermo himself has embraced the challenge and said his participation has also given him a new way to connect with his wife, Sarai Rodriguez. Guillermo Wants to Keep His “Diva” Energy Guillermo has also developed a playful personality on the DWTS dance floor. After one performance, he jokingly embraced a “diva” mentality and explained that succeeding in the competition requires changing the way he thinks. His approach is simple: stay positive, believe in himself and keep working. That attitude has helped turn Guillermo into one of the more entertaining personalities in DWTS Season 35, even while he continues developing his technical dance skills. ([E! Online][2]) Witney Carson Is Competing While Pregnant Another major storyline surrounding the partnership is Carson’s pregnancy. The professional dancer and her husband, Carson McAllister, are expecting their third baby boy. Carson announced the pregnancy ahead of Season 35 and has continued competing while expecting. She has repeatedly emphasized that her health and her baby’s well-being come first. Carson has said she is following her doctor’s guidance and knows when she needs to slow down or rest. That makes her continued participation one of the season’s most talked-about storylines, but Carson has made it clear that pregnancy has not changed her enthusiasm for competing. ([Good Morning America][5]) Carson Wants Fans to See the Real Story For Carson, the biggest issue isn’t criticism—it’s inaccurate assumptions. She understands that Dancing With the Stars creates plenty of emotional moments that viewers naturally analyze. However, she doesn’t want a brief reaction on television to become a larger story that doesn’t reflect how she actually feels. By addressing the rumors herself, Carson hopes fans will understand that she remains committed to the competition and grateful to continue dancing alongside Guillermo. What’s Next for Witney and Guillermo on DWTS? For now, Witney Carson and Guillermo Rodriguez remain in the Season 35 competition, and Carson says she feels increasingly positive about their progress. Their journey may not always be reflected by the highest scores on the leaderboard, but Guillermo’s improvement, Carson’s determination and the pair’s growing chemistry have kept them in the spotlight. And if Carson has anything to say about it, fans can expect her to keep dancing—not looking for an exit. The bottom line: Witney Carson says the rumors that she wants to be eliminated with Guillermo Rodriguez are simply untrue. She remains focused on the competition, supports her partner and believes their DWTS partnership is gaining momentum. ([E! Online][1])Source: E! Online.

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TV & Streaming

What Happens to Dancing With the Stars Pros After Elimination? Their Jobs Are Far From Over

Getting eliminated from Dancing With the Stars may end a professional dancer’s competition run, but it does not necessarily mean they leave the ballroom. For many DWTS professional dancers, elimination simply changes their role. Instead of preparing one celebrity for the next routine, they can become part of the larger production, helping with choreography, group performances, rehearsals and special numbers. That behind-the-scenes reality has become a hot topic following the latest eliminations on Dancing With the Stars Season 35. ([E! Online][1]) Do DWTS Pros Leave the Show After Elimination? Not usually. When a celebrity and professional dance partner are eliminated, the celebrity’s competition journey ends. The professional, however, can remain an important part of the weekly production. Brylee Armstrong, who is married to professional dancer Brandon Armstrong, previously explained that being eliminated with a celebrity partner does not automatically mean a pro packs up and leaves the show. Instead, eliminated professionals can receive additional responsibilities behind the scenes and on the ballroom floor. ([E! Online][1]) That means viewers may continue seeing familiar faces even after their celebrity partners have gone home. Eliminated Pros Can Join Other Performances One of the biggest changes involves performance duties. After elimination, a DWTS pro may help another couple prepare for a routine, participate in group numbers or perform in opening sequences and special segments. They can also contribute choreography and assist their fellow professional dancers during rehearsals. In some cases, this can actually make their schedule busier after elimination because they may suddenly be involved in multiple routines instead of concentrating on just one celebrity partnership. ([E! Online][1]) As Brylee Armstrong explained, an eliminated pro can essentially become another member of the show’s troupe. Hailey Bills Is Still Dancing After Her Elimination Season 35 has already provided a clear example. Hailey Bills, who joined the professional cast after previously being part of the DWTS troupe, was eliminated during the show’s two-night premiere with celebrity partner Sarah Jane Nader. Bills and Nader earned 14 out of 30 points for their jive before being sent home. ([E! Online Ads][2]) However, Bills’ season wasn’t simply over. The professional dancer explained that she would continue performing despite being eliminated from the competition. Her role could include appearances and performances throughout the remaining episodes. That distinction is important: a pro can be eliminated from the competition without being eliminated from the show itself. What Happened to Rylee Arnold After Elimination? Rylee Arnold has also discussed what happens after an elimination. After she and Scott Hoying were eliminated during a previous season, Arnold told her TikTok followers that she still had rehearsal responsibilities for an upcoming eliminated-pro bumper. Her experience shows why viewers shouldn’t assume that an eliminated professional immediately disappears from the ballroom. The production still needs dancers for various performances, and experienced pros can remain valuable to the show’s weekly schedule. ([E! Online][1]) Do DWTS Pros Still Get Paid After Elimination? Professional dancers also have contracts that can work differently from what viewers might expect. Jenna Johnson previously explained that professional dancers can have guaranteed payments covering a certain number of weeks, although contracts can vary. She also said that reaching the finale can bring additional financial incentives. Winning the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, however, does not mean the winning pro receives a massive cash prize comparable to a traditional competition jackpot. ([ak2.aka.eonline.com][3]) Because individual contracts aren’t publicly available in full, exact Dancing With the Stars pro salaries aren’t always known. Why Do Eliminated Pros Stay Busy? Dancing With the Stars is much bigger than the individual celebrity-pro partnership viewers see during the live show. Each episode requires: Once a professional’s celebrity partner is eliminated, that dancer can shift their attention toward these broader production responsibilities. Rylee Arnold has previously described the demanding rehearsal schedule, noting that pros can spend several hours each day rehearsing while also working with producers and creative teams. ([ak2.aka.eonline.com][3]) The Pros’ Work Doesn’t Stop at the Ballroom Another misconception is that DWTS professionals spend all their time simply teaching celebrities dance routines. In reality, the job involves much more. Professional dancers may contribute to choreography, perform multiple routines in one night, rehearse with other dancers and help create the large-scale entertainment spectacle that viewers see on ABC. That is why an eliminated pro can sometimes appear more frequently in the show’s remaining episodes. Elimination Isn’t the End for a DWTS Pro For celebrities, elimination means their journey toward the Mirrorball Trophy is over. For professional dancers, it can mark the beginning of a different phase of the season. From group dances and opening numbers to choreography and assisting fellow pros, eliminated dancers can continue playing an important role in Dancing With the Stars. So the next time a favorite DWTS professional gets eliminated, don’t assume you’ve seen the last of them. Their celebrity partner may be heading home—but their dance card can remain completely full. ([E! Online][1])Source: E! Online.

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