Guillermo Rodriguez Claps Back at DWTS Judge Carrie Ann Inaba After Harsh Critique

Guillermo Rodriguez brought plenty of attitude to Dancing With the Stars, confronting judge Carrie Ann Inaba after she criticized his performance last week. But despite showing improvement on the dance floor, the fan-favorite contestant still ended up eliminated.

During Tuesday’s Super Bowl Night episode, the Jimmy Kimmel Live! star addressed Inaba’s earlier comments while preparing for a salsa routine with professional partner Witney Carson.

“Carrie Ann, she was not too nice,” Rodriguez told Carson ahead of their performance to Bad Bunny’s “Tití Me Preguntó.” He recalled trying to grab the microphone from cohost Alfonso Ribeiro after receiving his previous scores but missing his opportunity to respond.

“Maybe she had a bad day,” he joked.

The tension stemmed from the Oct. 6 episode, when Rodriguez scored just 13 out of 30 for his samba to Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed.” Inaba questioned his lack of enthusiasm, asking, “Where is all your joy?” Fellow judge Bruno Tonioli was equally blunt, saying his form was “beyond critique.”

This time, Rodriguez and Carson delivered a more energetic routine, earning 22 out of 40 points. The judges praised their entertainment value and visible progress, with Derek Hough even joking that Rodriguez would headline the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show.

“Dare I say, the swag?” Hough added, applauding Carson’s choreography.

Guest judge Joe Buck also joined the fun, declaring, “Andy Richter walked so Guillermo could run,” prompting laughter from the panel.

But the biggest moment came when Inaba finally responded to Rodriguez’s earlier remarks.

“Guillermo, did you just call me out?” she asked. “If you’re gonna call me out, you better bring the goods.”

“I did,” Rodriguez replied confidently.

Inaba then asked the audience whether he had delivered. While she acknowledged that the routine was his hardest yet, she praised him for taking the judges’ feedback seriously and rediscovering his joy onstage.

“You brought the joy back,” she told him.

Despite the improved performance and encouraging feedback, Rodriguez and Carson were eliminated by the end of the night, bringing their run in the competition to a close.

The exchange delivered one final dose of drama and humor, proving that even when the scores fall short, Rodriguez knows how to make a moment memorable.