Guillermo Rodriguez to Compete on Dancing With the Stars

Guillermo Rodriguez is trading the Jimmy Kimmel Live! set for the ballroom.

Jimmy Kimmel announced at the end of his Wednesday night monologue that his longtime sidekick will compete on Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars, making Rodriguez the latest celebrity contestant to join the ABC competition series’ fall lineup.

“I have a major announcement to make,” Kimmel told viewers. “I have been authorized by the Walt Disney company and our television network ABC to reveal the name of a major celebrity contestant who will be competing in the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars.”

Cue the music, cheers, and Guillermo’s entrance in a shiny turquoise dance costume with cascading pastel ruffles down the sleeves.”

“This September, Guillermo will become the first-ever parking lot security guard to dance with the stars,” Kimmel said, asking him whether he was excited.

“I’m excited,” Guillermo replied. “I’m very happy.”

Asked if he was up for the challenge, Rodriguez answered, “I am, Jimmy, yes.”

Kimmel, ever the supportive boss, had just one note for his soon-to-be-sambaing sidekick: “Don’t lose a single adorable pound, okay? Do you promise?”

“I promise,” Guillermo said. “If I lose five pounds, I’m going to gain ten pounds back right away.”

Rodriguez joins a Season 35 cast that already includes Summer House star Ciara Miller, Irish TV personality Maura Higgins, and Savannah Bananas player and internet personality Jackson Olson. The full cast and professional dance pairings are set to be revealed on Good Morning America ahead of the show’s fall premiere.

For Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the casting also brings things neatly full circle. Dancing with the Stars has long been part of Kimmel’s late-night ecosystem, with eliminated contestants frequently stopping by his ABC show after leaving the ballroom. This time, it’ll be Guillermo doing the competing—and, presumably, Kimmel cheering him on inside the ballroom.

Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars premieres this fall on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.

Watch Kimmel’s full Guillermo DTWS reveal at the top of this post.