Reigning "Dancing with the Stars" champion Witney Carson announced her third pregnancy and her new celebrity partner on the same day, setting up what could be one of the most talked-about seasons in the show's history.
Carson, 32, went on "Good Morning America" on Aug. 17 to reveal that she will be paired with Guillermo Rodriguez, the 55-year-old comedian best known as Jimmy Kimmel's longtime sidekick on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Hours earlier, she had posted a black-and-white video on Instagram showing her family posing in a photo booth with ultrasound photos, confirming she and husband Carson McAllister are expecting their third child.
The two-time Mirrorball trophy winner is heading into Season 35 as the show's defending champion, and now as an expectant mother. The season premieres Sept. 15 on ABC and Disney+.
The Instagram reel featured Carson, McAllister, and their two sons, Leo, 5, and Jet, 3, in what USA TODAY described as a photo-booth-style setup, with ultrasound images on display.
Carson captioned the post plainly:
"We've been keeping a secret... a new addition to the McAllister gang coming soon! We are so grateful and overjoyed to be growing our family."
She and McAllister married on New Year's Day 2016 in Salt Lake City. No due date or details about how far along Carson is in the pregnancy have been disclosed.
Guillermo Rodriguez has been a fixture on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" since 2003, working his way from security guard to red-carpet correspondent to one of the most recognizable faces in late-night television. He was first announced as a Season 35 contestant back in June.
Now he has his pro partner. Carson revealed the pairing on "Good Morning America," adding Rodriguez to a growing but still incomplete Season 35 cast. Three other contestants have been named so far: "Summer House" star Ciara Miller, "Love Island" favorite Maura Higgins, and Savannah Bananas player Jackson Olson. Their pro partners have not yet been announced.
The full lineup of stars and professional dancers is scheduled to drop on "Good Morning America" on Sept. 2.
DWTS Season 35 will open with back-to-back premiere nights, Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Wednesday, Sept. 16, airing live at 8 p.m. on ABC and streaming simultaneously on Disney+. Episodes will also be available the following day on Hulu.
Carson enters the season riding momentum. She won her first Mirrorball trophy alongside Alfonso Ribeiro, who now hosts the show, during Season 19. Last season, she took the trophy again with wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, making her the reigning champion heading into the new year.
Whether her pregnancy will affect rehearsals, scheduling, or performance remains an open question. Carson has not addressed it publicly beyond the joyful Instagram announcement.
A ballroom champion expecting a baby while coaching a 55-year-old late-night comedian through the cha-cha, if nothing else, Season 35 will not be short on storylines.
