Witney Carson is opening up about the nerves and empowerment of competing on “Dancing With the Stars” while four months pregnant.
The two-time Mirrorball champion, 31, said in an exclusive interview that she felt hesitation about signing on for Season 35 after learning she was expecting her third child with husband Carson McAllister. The Utah native, who won last fall with Robert Irwin, said the decision ultimately felt right because the show has kept her “working hard” and “pushing” her in positive directions.
“This season I’m all about empowerment, for myself and for other women, because we can do anything,” she shared in the interview. “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.”
Carson added that motherhood remains her top focus even as she returns to the ballroom. “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.”
The pro dancer, already mom to sons Leo, 5, and Jet, 3, praised her family’s enthusiasm for her return. “Carson and the boys are truly my No. 1 fans. Carson supports me in everything I do,” she gushed. “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.”
Physically, Carson said she has been “feeling normal” through rehearsals and approaching this year like “any other” season. “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, crediting the cast and crew for their behind-the-scenes support.
“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 continued. “They continue to uplift and cheer me on.”
Fellow pro Daniella Karagach has been particularly encouraging, Carson noted. “Daniella 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 for choreography limitations, Carson said she is taking a day-by-day approach 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.”
She joked about one specific restriction: “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, Carson is paired with Guillermo Rodriguez, the longtime sidekick to Jimmy Kimmel. The duo will debut their partnership 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,” Carson gushed about her new partner. “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.”
Despite the positive rehearsals, Carson acknowledged that Rodriguez is “definitely feeling the nerves” ahead of their first live performance. “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 help him adjust, she has been arranging small audiences for their practice runs. “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,” she said. “The main thing is trying to assure him that he isn’t alone up there, because I’ll be with him the whole time.”
Beyond the ballroom, Carson has launched a partnership with Campbell’s for “Two-Step Tuesdays,” promoting the brand’s new Sauces line. “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!”
When asked about her formula for another successful season, Carson kept it simple. “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,” she explained. “Take it week by week and have fun with the experience because that’s what’s important.”
Carson announced her pregnancy last month alongside news of her return to the ABC competition series. The two-night Season 35 premiere, co-hosted by Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro, continues Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
The show will settle into its regular live schedule the following week, airing Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.