Carrie Ann Inaba went looking for Guillermo Rodriguez's joy-and found herself facing an unhappy ballroom. The Dancing With the Stars judge drew loud boos during the October 6 episode after questioning whether Jimmy Kimmel's beloved sidekick had lost some of the spark that has made him an audience favorite.
Rodriguez and professional partner Witney Carson performed to Mariah Carey's "Obsessed," mixing dancing with comic touches. But when Inaba asked, "Where is all your joy?" the mood changed. According to Entertainment Weekly, even children in the studio audience joined the booing.
Inaba defended her role, telling the crowd, "This is what I get paid for, people." She explained that she wanted Rodriguez to bring more of his natural energy to the floor. The audience's response nevertheless turned her feedback into one of the evening's most uncomfortable exchanges.
The scores offered little comfort. Inaba and Derek Hough each awarded the couple a four, while Bruno Tonioli gave them a five, leaving Rodriguez and Carson with 13 out of 30-the lowest total of the night. Their popularity in the room clearly exceeded their standing with the judges.
Some viewers also pushed back online. The Sun reported reactions defending Rodriguez's effort and questioning whether his concentration on learning the choreography might explain a less exuberant performance. Those comments offered a competing interpretation of what Inaba saw: a contestant working through unfamiliar steps while trying to entertain.
The criticism followed a very different reception the previous week. During "Yacht Rock Night," Rodriguez revealed a coconut bra beneath his shirt, with "Dancing 4 the People" written across his stomach. PEOPLE reported that the crowd gave him a standing ovation and that Inaba praised his progress and hard work.
Carson has also had to address speculation about their partnership. After viewers interpreted her expressions during elimination announcements as disappointment at staying, she explained that she felt sympathy for the departing contestants. She said she was grateful to continue and praised Rodriguez's commitment to improving.
That commitment has become an important part of their story. Carson has described a partner willing to rehearse and follow her creative ideas, while Rodriguez's comedy has given their routines a personality audiences recognize immediately. Their performances invite viewers to root for his progress, even when the leaderboard offers little encouragement.
Despite Tuesday's low score, Rodriguez survived the elimination. Summer House star Ciara Miller and partner Brandon Armstrong went home instead, leaving Guillermo another chance to improve-and Inaba another opportunity to assess him. The ballroom has already made its feelings clear: criticizing its favorite underdog comes with a noisy reception.
