Guillermo Rodriguez is joining the celebrity cast of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" for its 35th season [1].
The addition of the *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* sidekick aims to boost the show's celebrity lineup and build upon the franchise's strong ratings [1, 6].
Rodriguez was announced as a contestant during a broadcast of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 [2, 5]. The reveal took place on the show's set in Los Angeles, where Jimmy Kimmel promoted the move on-air [3, 4].
Rodriguez is the fourth celebrity cast member announced for the upcoming season [1]. He will trade his nightly duties as a sidekick for the ballroom floor, competing against other public figures in the U.S. version of the competition [4, 5].
ABC continues to assemble its roster for Season 35 [1]. The network has utilized high-profile reveals and cross-promotional tie-ins with other popular programs to generate interest in the new season [6].
While the full cast list has not yet been finalized, Rodriguez represents a strategic move to bring in established television personalities with existing fanbases [1, 6]. The show will air on ABC, maintaining its presence as a staple of American network television [3, 4].
“Guillermo Rodriguez is joining the celebrity cast of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" for its 35th season.”
The casting of Guillermo Rodriguez highlights ABC's strategy of leveraging internal synergy by using its late-night programming to drive viewership for its reality competitions. By selecting a well-known personality from a companion show, the network ensures a built-in audience and maximizes promotional reach across different time slots.
