Jimmy Kimmel has definitively ruled out ever competing on “Dancing With the Stars.”
“No, no, no,” Kimmel, 58, said at the LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand event on Saturday in Los Angeles. “I would not.”
The late-night host was speaking exclusively to the outlet at the charity fundraiser when asked whether he would ever follow his longtime sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez into the ballroom. While Kimmel shut down any personal ambitions of dance-floor glory, he expressed genuine admiration for Rodriguez’s efforts during the competition.
“I’ve never seen him work harder at anything. Or I’ve never even seen him work hard before,” Kimmel quipped. “It was exciting to watch.”
Rodriguez, 55, was eliminated during Week 5 of the current “DWTS” season, which aired Oct. 13 during the show’s first-ever “Super Bowl Night.” He and his pro partner, Witney Carson, performed a salsa to Bad Bunny’s “Tití Me Preguntó” but landed at the bottom of the leaderboard with a score of 22/40 from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli and guest judge Joe Buck.
Despite the early exit, Rodriguez spoke warmly about his experience after being sent home. “I had a lot of fun. It was great,” he said. “Witney, I love you for teaching me how to dance.”
Carson, 32, who is pregnant with her third child, returned the affection during the elimination segment. She thanked Rodriguez for “making this season just so fun, so enjoyable,” and praised him for taking care of her “throughout this entire season.”
Kimmel, meanwhile, was effusive about Rodriguez’s dedication to the competition. “I was very proud of him,” the host said of his “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” colleague.
The LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade Stand event held particular personal significance for Kimmel beyond the “DWTS” discussion. The foundation raises money for childhood cancer research, a cause Kimmel has long supported. His involvement stems partly from his own family’s medical struggles — his son Billy, 9, was born with a congenital heart condition and has undergone numerous surgeries.
Kimmel said that Billy is currently “doing great” and was enjoying a cousin’s birthday party at the time of the interview.
The comedian has been a vocal advocate for children’s health issues since publicly sharing Billy’s medical journey, using his platform to push for healthcare policy changes and raise awareness about congenital heart defects.
Rodriguez’s “DWTS” run drew attention from unexpected corners of the entertainment world. John Oliver recently revealed that his sons had become devoted fans of the security guard-turned-TV personality’s ballroom journey, declaring “It’s what the world needs right now” in an interview.
The current season of “Dancing With the Stars” continues with new episodes airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
Rodriguez has served as Kimmel’s on-air companion and security guard on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” since the show’s early days, becoming a fan favorite through his comedic chemistry with the host and his willingness to participate in elaborate bits and remote segments. His leap to the “DWTS” ballroom marked one of his highest-profile solo ventures to date.
New episodes of “Dancing With the Stars” air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC and Disney+, and stream on Hulu the following day.