‘DWTS’ spinoff judges include Mark Ballas and his mother
Mark Ballas and BC Jean joke about Mark and his mother Shirley Ballas judging together on the new spinoff, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.
A familiar face from “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” is the latest celebrity to join the cast of Dancing with the Stars season 35.
Jimmy Kimmel’s beloved sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez, 55, will be taking the late-night stage to the dance floor this coming fall.ABC revealed this on June 17th.
When Kimmel announced Rodriguez on his talk show, Rodriguez ran onto the stage in a salsa outfit and confirmed he was ready for the challenge.
“This is going to be so great. Don’t lose a single pound of adorable weight. Okay, promise?” Kimmel jokingly told Guillermo.
“I promise if you lose five pounds, you’ll gain 10 pounds,” Guillermo replied, and Kimmel wished him luck.
Rodriguez, better known by his first name, joined Kimmel’s talk show in 2003 and has remained a fixture ever since. He initially worked as a parking lot security guard on the show, but now appears nightly with Kimmel, serves as a correspondent for the Oscars red carpet, and appears regularly on other comedy shows.
The Mexican native became a U.S. citizen in 2005 and launched his own hot sauce brand, Guillermo’s Salsa, in January.
The dance competition series concluded its 34th season in November with wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and professional partner Witney Carson taking home the Mirror Ball trophy. Irwin will host the series’ new spinoff, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, which premieres July 13.
Guillermo joins three other celebrities for new season
The talk show personality and comedian is the latest addition to the upcoming season, joining Summerhouse star Ciara Miller and Love Island favorite Maura Higgins (both of whom also appeared in Traitor) and Savannah Bananas’ Jackson Olson.
The entire cast, including professionals, will be announced on “Good Morning America” on September 2nd.
Olson’s casting was recently confirmed at the Disney Upfront on May 12, sparking excitement among fans. In response to the news, Maggie Sajak, the daughter and girlfriend of former Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak, wrote on her Instagram Story that she was “couldn’t be prouder” to be a second baseman on the exhibition baseball team.
“You better get your dance floor ready,” she added.
Higgins and Miller also received positive feedback when they became the first two cast members announced for Hulu’s “Get Real House” on April 12. Higgins, who attended the event in person, revealed that she had “DWTS” written on her vision board, saying, “I worked really hard to represent it.”
“This is the only show I really want to do. This is the last show I want to do as a contestant,” she explained, adding that she has “turned down anything that could jeopardize Dancing with the Stars in America,” including the Irish version of “DWTS” and the UK’s “Strictly Come Dancing.”
Higgins also said he hopes to be paired with professional Mark Ballas, who co-starred in Season 4 of Traitor, and explained his strategy until rehearsals begin in late summer.
“I’m not going to start working seriously now because by the time August comes around, I’m going to be completely shattered,” she said. “I need a nap, so I’m going to take a nap.”
Maura Higgins to appear on season 35 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’
‘Love Island’ alum Maura Higgins celebrates her debut as a contestant on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ season 35 at Hulu’s Get Real event.
Miller was unable to attend the Los Angeles event as she was filming the Summer House reunion in New York City, but she still shared her reaction in a video message.
“I wanted to go there, I wish I could, but I had unfinished business in New York that I had to finish,” Bravolebrity said. “But I’m so excited to be joining Season 35. This feels like the perfect moment. A new chapter begins. I can’t wait to bring my energy to the dance floor.”
Contributors: KiMi Robinson and Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY
