By Page Six | Created at 2026-09-15 13:33:26 | Updated at 2026-09-15 16:47:12
3 hours ago
Witney Carson is ready to rock another season of “Dancing With the Stars” — baby bump and all!
The pro dancer — who is expecting her third child with husband Carson McAllister — exclusively spoke to Page Six about what it’s been like gearing up for this week’s two-night Season 35 premiere while four months pregnant.
“There was definitely some hesitation in agreeing to do this season while being pregnant, but ultimately, I’ve been feeling great about the whole thing,” she shared, noting that it’s kept her “working hard” and is “pushing” her in all the right ways.
“This season I’m all about empowerment, for myself and for other women, because we can do anything. One of my biggest priorities for this season is to show all moms that we don’t have to lose parts of ourselves to grow a family.”
The reigning mirrorball champion added that “being a good mom” is always her No. 1 priority.
“I don’t think that we have to put that aside in order to do what we love,” she said. “I think it’s important that I prove to myself — and fellow moms — that it can be done.”
Witney announced her exciting pregnancy news last month while revealing she was returning to “DWTS” for another season after winning the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy with Robert Irwin last fall. The choreographer and her husband, Carson, are already parents to sons Leo, 5, and Jet, 3.
“Carson and the boys are truly my No. 1 fans. Carson supports me in everything I do,” Witney gushed in her new interview with Page Six.
“We both find it amazing that we can continue to grow our family while simultaneously being on ‘DWTS.’ The support has been overwhelming and the boys are especially excited to have another sibling.”
The two-time mirrorball champ shared that she’s been “feeling normal” in rehearsals thus far and trying to treat this season of “DWTS” as if it’s “any other” year.
“I’ve had tons of energy, and so far, I’ve been able to do everything that I need to do in order to prepare for the show,” she explained, noting that the cast and crew have been amazing behind the scenes.
“It’s such a vulnerable thing, to have your body changing in front of America, but with everyone’s support at ‘DWTS,’ it’s been super empowering,” she added. “They continue to uplift and cheer me on. Daniella [Karagach] specifically is super excited for this new chapter. She keeps telling me how cute my baby bump is, so that’s been super kind and reassuring.”
As far as restrictions go? Witney told Page Six that she’s taking it day by day and listening to her body.
“I haven’t had any restrictions to specific moves so far. I just need to be careful jumping off of high places, but everything else I can do,” she explained.
“More or less, my choreography will be very similar to past years, although there might be less tricks than usual. I can’t see myself or my partner jumping off the judges’ table in any future routines, so it’s pushing me to be creative in other ways.”
This season, Witney is paired up with Jimmy Kimmel’s beloved sidekick, Guillermo Rodriguez. The two will be making their partnership debut Tuesday night with a Cha Cha to “Mr. Big Stuff” by Jean Knight.
“Guillermo is everything you want him to be. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and he’s down for everything, while being naturally funny and open,” the dancer gushed.
“He’s a great person to have in the ballroom because we laugh and have so much fun, but he’s also such a hard worker. He is putting in the work and shows up ready to learn every day.”
Witney said she’s been “feeling good” about their rehearsals so far and “comfortable with the amount of prep” they’ve been doing for the premiere.
“I think we are in such a good spot,” she teased. “Prior to the premiere, you don’t know how your celebrity partner will react to choreography and technique, but I’ve been preparing Guillermo as best as I can so he is feeling confident.”
Still, Witney admitted that her partner is “definitely feeling the nerves” ahead of premiere night.
“The show is already so nerve-wracking because your partner is tackling something they’ve never done and doing it on live television, but Guillermo has a great attitude,” she shared.
“To make him feel more confident, I’ve been getting people to watch our routine so he can get more accustomed to performing for an audience. The main thing is trying to assure him that he isn’t alone up there, because I’ll be with him the whole time.”
In addition to competing with Rodriguez this season, Witney has launched another exciting partnership. She’s officially teamed up with Campbell’s to launch “Two-Step Tuesdays,” celebrating their new Sauces and proving delicious weeknight dinners are just “two steps” away.
“It was such a natural fit and a really fun one for me. This time of year is so busy between rehearsals and being a mom, so I’m always looking for little ways to make life at home easier,” she shared. “And obviously, as a dancer, I know a thing or two about a two-step! I loved the idea of taking that part of my world and bringing it into the kitchen with Campbell’s.”
Fans can visit campbells.com/twosteptuesdays to enter for a chance to win a limited-edition kit, complete with Campbell’s Sauces, recipe inspiration and a few fun accessories to make their Tuesday nights even easier before tuning into “DWTS.”
“It’s really about making Tuesday night dinner one less thing you have to overthink,” Witney added. “You cook your favorite protein, add Campbell’s Sauce and you’re done. It’s a two-step routine anyone can master.”
As for her “secret sauce” to having another successful season on “DWTS”?
“In reality, there is no magic wand to make specific things happen. It comes down to making sure each dance is memorable, the judges are happy and the celebrity is having fun,” Witney explained. “With each season, every celebrity brings their own challenges, but I think that it’s important that as pros we make our partners shine. Take it week by week and have fun with the experience because that’s what’s important.”
The two-night Season 35 premiere of “Dancing With the Stars” — co-hosted by Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro — kicks off Tuesday and continues Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
The following week, the show will return to its regular live schedule, airing Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, and available for streaming the following day on Hulu.
