The disagreement over Guillermo Rodriguez’s latest Dancing With the Stars performance is no longer staying at the judges’ table.
Professional partner Witney Carson is now openly pushing back against Carrie Ann Inaba after the longtime judge questioned Guillermo’s personality during Mariah Carey Night — and Witney believes Carrie Ann overlooked one crucial part of the performance.
Guillermo and Witney performed a Samba to Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed,” ultimately receiving just 13 out of 30.
Carrie Ann and Derek Hough each awarded a 4, while Bruno Tonioli gave the couple a 5, leaving them at the bottom of the leaderboard.
But the scores weren’t what created the biggest reaction.
During her critique, Carrie Ann questioned where Guillermo’s usual joy had gone.
She told him she felt he had been “dimming” the natural light and personality that normally make him stand out.
The studio audience immediately erupted in boos.
Carrie Ann responded that judging was what she was paid to do before explaining that she wanted Guillermo to keep showing the personality viewers had grown to love.
Witney saw the situation very differently.
According to her, Guillermo wasn’t unhappy or losing his spark.
He was acting.
Witney explained that Mariah Carey has a strong diva persona and that Guillermo had intentionally adopted a more serious, confident expression to match the character they wanted for “Obsessed.”
“I disagree completely,” Witney said when discussing Carrie Ann’s interpretation afterward.
She argued that Guillermo’s personality doesn’t disappear simply because he isn’t smiling throughout every routine.
In another interview, Witney became even more direct.
She called Carrie Ann’s remark “out of pocket.”
“No matter what Guillermo does, his light will always shine,” Witney said, explaining that whether he is playing a diva, performing another character or simply being himself, viewers can still see the personality that has made him such a popular contestant.
Guillermo himself backed up that explanation.
He said he had deliberately been trying to portray a diva during the Samba and believed he had successfully committed to the character.
Rather than appearing personally angry with Carrie Ann, Guillermo seemed more focused on explaining why his expression looked different from previous weeks.
But Witney wasn’t finished.
After her comments began spreading online, she returned to social media with Guillermo in rehearsal.
She posted footage of the two dancing together with a message saying that Guillermo’s light could never be dimmed.
Then she shared her earlier defense again and added four unmistakable words:
“I said what I said.”
That made it clear Witney wasn’t walking anything back.
The dispute has now become part of a wider discussion surrounding Carrie Ann’s judging this season.
Carrie Ann has faced criticism from some viewers over what they see as inconsistent judging, although there is no evidence that she is deliberately targeting Guillermo or favoring another contestant.
She recently addressed broader favoritism accusations online, arguing that a lower score doesn’t automatically mean another contestant is a judge’s favorite.
Carrie Ann has also maintained that her original Guillermo critique was meant as encouragement.
She said she believes his personality is one of his greatest strengths and wanted to make sure he never loses the quality that makes audiences connect with him.
Witney’s disagreement, however, focuses on something more specific.
Her argument is essentially that Guillermo hadn’t lost anything at all.
He was simply performing the character she had choreographed for him.
That distinction may explain why Witney reacted so strongly.
Professional dancers spend the week teaching contestants not only steps but also how to portray different characters, moods and stories.
For Witney, Guillermo showing something other than his familiar smile may actually have represented growth rather than a problem.
And despite finishing last on the judges’ leaderboard, Guillermo once again survived elimination thanks to the combined scoring and viewer vote.
He and Witney will now advance to Super Bowl Night.
That continued support has only strengthened Witney’s argument that audiences still see exactly what Carrie Ann feared was disappearing.
Carrie Ann believes Guillermo needs to protect his light.
Witney believes it never went anywhere.
And judging by her latest response, she isn’t backing down from that position anytime soon.
