Guillermo Rodriguez says his run on Dancing With the Stars brought an unexpected change to his daily routine: for two months, he stopped drinking alcohol, adjusted what he ate and discovered that he could push himself well beyond his usual comfort zone.
Rodriguez, who was eliminated during the show’s fifth elimination of season 35 on Oct. 13, discussed the experience in an interview with E! News at the 2026 Dia De Muertos Gala Presented by Lexus in Los Angeles on Oct. 27. Although he did not take home the season’s Mirrorball Trophy, the two-month commitment left him with a different kind of result: a greater sense of confidence in what his body and mind could manage.
A stricter routine
The 55-year-old television personality said he made several changes while preparing for the competition. The most significant, he suggested, was removing alcohol from his routine entirely. He also described shifting toward lighter meals, including salads made with kale and romaine, while acknowledging that the restrictions made him miss more substantial food.
“For two months, I didn’t have anything to drink.”
Rodriguez’s account reflects the demanding structure of the program, where celebrity contestants work closely with professional dancers before performing in live shows. In his case, rehearsals were conducted with professional partner Witney Carson. The schedule required sustained physical effort, and Rodriguez said the experience eventually became tiring for both him and Carson, who is pregnant.
| Part of the experience | What Rodriguez described |
|---|---|
| Time without alcohol | Two months |
| Food changes | Kale and romaine salads |
| Competition result | Fifth star eliminated in season 35 |
| Professional partner | Witney Carson |
More than a weight-loss story
While the lifestyle changes helped Rodriguez lose weight during his time on the programme, his reflections focused as much on endurance and commitment as they did on appearance. He said dancing was difficult and that the physical demands affected his entire body. The experience also challenged a habit of remaining in what he called his “comfortable zone.”
“I learned that I can do it,” Rodriguez said, describing his pride in completing five weeks of the competition. His wife, Sarai Rodriguez, was also pleased with his progress, according to his account. He recalled her telling him that he had succeeded, despite his earlier expectation that he might leave during the first week.
- Alcohol: Rodriguez said he avoided drinking for two months.
- Food: He described eating more salads, including kale and romaine.
- Exercise: Rehearsals and live performances required sustained dance training.
- Confidence: He said the experience showed him he could take on a demanding challenge.
Keeping the dancing going
Rodriguez’s interest in dance did not end with his elimination. He said he has continued dancing with his wife and plans to take her for a lesson because she wants to learn. That next step gives the experience a more personal dimension: what began as a competitive television commitment has become an activity the couple can share.
He also made clear that the competition was not defined only by exhaustion, dietary discipline or the disappointment of leaving before the finale. Rodriguez repeatedly emphasized that he enjoyed the experience and had an “amazing time.” For him, the lasting lesson appears to be that a demanding new routine can create room for both physical change and a stronger belief in one’s own abilities.
His story also places the familiar language of a televised transformation in a broader frame. The weight loss was one visible outcome, but Rodriguez’s own emphasis was on the work behind it: repeated rehearsals, altered habits, fatigue and the willingness to keep going. Even after the competition ended, he was still finding reasons to stay on the dance floor.
