Jimmy Kimmel is standing firmly behind longtime sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez as the Dancing With the Stars contestant continues to survive elimination despite criticism over his scores.
Kimmel pushes back on the backlash
During Wednesday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, the host celebrated Guillermo’s latest performance and addressed online complaints suggesting the competition was somehow being rigged in his favor. Kimmel rejected that idea and argued that the show is ultimately about entertainment as well as dancing.
Guillermo and professional partner Witney Carson have repeatedly found themselves near the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard, but strong audience support has kept them in the competition. That contrast between judges’ scores and viewer voting has fueled debate as the season progresses.
Guillermo becomes a fan favorite
Kimmel described his sidekick as a major audience favorite and highlighted the viral reaction to his Mariah Carey Night samba. The late-night host joked about Guillermo’s growing popularity while making clear that he believes viewers have every right to reward the contestants they find most entertaining.
The defense comes as Guillermo’s run has become one of the most talked-about storylines of the season. Carson has also publicly dismissed speculation that she wanted to leave the partnership, saying claims about tension between them were untrue.
Viewer votes remain crucial
Dancing With the Stars combines judges’ scores with audience voting, meaning technical performance is only part of the equation. That format has produced surprise eliminations and unexpected survivors throughout the show’s history.
Guillermo’s ability to keep advancing illustrates the power of a strong fan base. His routines may not always receive the highest marks, but his personality and enthusiasm have clearly connected with viewers.
Entertainment Weekly reported Kimmel’s latest comments on Oct. 8 after the host addressed the criticism directly on his show. With another week secured, Guillermo and Carson now have another chance to improve their scores while maintaining the audience support that has carried them this far.