Witney Carson is taking on one of the most unusual challenges of her Dancing With the Stars career, competing in Season 35 while pregnant with her third child.
But despite the physical demands of rehearsals and live performances, Witney says one of the hardest parts of the experience has actually been happening away from the dance floor.
The 32-year-old professional dancer recently opened up about how difficult it has become to be separated from her family while continuing her journey with celebrity partner Guillermo Rodriguez.
Witney’s husband, Carson McAllister, and their two sons, Leo and Jet, recently returned to their Florida home after spending time with her in California.
Their departure has made the competition increasingly emotional for Witney.
“It does get harder and harder,” she admitted while discussing the separation, explaining that being a mother remains her biggest priority and that pregnancy hormones have made the emotions feel even stronger.
Witney and Carson are currently expecting their third child, making this season unlike anything she has experienced during her years on DWTS.
Before Season 35 even began, Witney acknowledged that competing this far into a pregnancy felt daunting because she had never attempted anything quite like it before.
She has nevertheless continued rehearsing and performing while carefully monitoring how her body feels.
Amid that demanding schedule, Witney said having Guillermo as her partner has made the experience easier.
She praised the Jimmy Kimmel Live! personality for being kind, willing to learn and determined to keep working even when dancing does not come naturally to him.
Guillermo has also been paying attention to Witney’s needs during her pregnancy.
He explained that he regularly reminds his partner to take breaks whenever she needs them rather than pushing herself too far.
But it was one much smaller gesture that particularly touched Witney.
She revealed that she casually told Guillermo she was craving his salsa — and he actually brought some for her.
“I am craving your salsa,” Witney recalled telling him before explaining that Guillermo later showed up with it.
For Witney, the gesture represented something bigger than food.
“It’s just little things like that,” she said. “He’s always thinking of me.”
Their partnership has developed while Guillermo continues facing an uphill battle on the judges’ leaderboard.
On Yacht Rock Night, the pair performed a foxtrot to “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” and received 15 out of 30, their highest score of the season at that point.
Despite remaining near the bottom of the leaderboard, Guillermo and Witney survived another elimination and continued their Season 35 journey.
Witney has also pushed back against speculation that her pregnancy means she secretly wants to leave the competition, making it clear that she is happy to remain on the show and is taking her health seriously.
For now, the biggest challenge may not be teaching Guillermo another ballroom routine.
It is balancing pregnancy, motherhood, competition and weeks away from the people Witney misses most — while having an unexpectedly thoughtful partner helping make that experience a little easier.
