Witney Carson knew competing on Dancing With the Stars while pregnant would be different, but several weeks into Season 35, the professional dancer is admitting that one part of the experience is becoming increasingly difficult.
The 32-year-old is expecting her third child with husband Carson McAllister while simultaneously competing alongside Jimmy Kimmel Live! personality Guillermo Rodriguez.
When Witney announced her pregnancy before the season, she admitted that the situation felt daunting because she had never competed on DWTS while this far along.
“I’ve never been this far along, pregnant, and competing on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ before,” she explained while announcing the news.
Witney initially said rehearsals were going surprisingly well.
As she moved beyond her first trimester, her nausea began easing and her energy improved, although she noticed one significant physical difference: she was becoming more easily out of breath during rehearsals.
But as Season 35 continues, Witney says another challenge has become much more emotional.
Her husband and their two sons, Leo and Jet, recently returned to their Florida home after spending time with her in California while she competed.
Being separated from them has not been easy.
“It does get harder and harder,” Witney admitted after Yacht Rock Night, explaining that being a mother remains her first priority.
She also acknowledged that pregnancy hormones have intensified those emotions, making the distance from her family particularly difficult.
Despite that struggle, Witney has made it clear that she does not want viewers to interpret her emotions as a sign that she wants to leave the competition.
After fans questioned her reactions during recent eliminations, Witney addressed the speculation directly and said she remains genuinely grateful to continue dancing with Guillermo.
She explained that her emotional expressions during eliminations come from feeling sad for whichever couple is leaving, rather than disappointment that she and Guillermo are still competing.
Witney has also reassured viewers concerned about her pregnancy.
She said she understands her body after years of professional dancing, is following what her doctor has approved and will speak up if she believes anything is becoming physically too demanding.
The DWTS production team has also been supportive, allowing Witney to rest and adjust when necessary.
Meanwhile, she continues to praise Guillermo for his willingness to work despite entering the ballroom without previous dance experience.
Their scores have remained near the bottom of the leaderboard, but Guillermo has steadily improved, earning 15 out of 30 for the pair’s Yacht Rock Night foxtrot — their highest score at that point in the competition.
For Witney, however, Season 35 is becoming about much more than judges’ numbers.
She is balancing professional rehearsals, live television, pregnancy and weeks away from her young family — something she has never had to navigate in quite this way before.
And while dancing while pregnant was always going to be a new challenge, Witney’s latest comments reveal that missing her family may ultimately be the hardest part of all.
