Overview
- Rodriguez and pro partner Witney Carson performed a high-energy cha-cha on the Season 35 premiere and received just 10 out of 30 points from the judges.
- The judges praised Rodriguez’s effort and entertainment value but criticized technique, with Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli each giving a 3 and Carrie Ann Inaba a 4.
- Strong viewer support saved the duo from elimination, and Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were the first pair sent home after the live show on Tuesday.
- Carson, who is pregnant and will include a weekly trio in routines for production reasons, publicly defended Rodriguez’s performance and called the judges’ scores "lame," while the ballroom reportedly booed the low tally.
- Under DWTS’ system, judges’ scores and audience votes are converted into ranking points and combined, so Rodriguez’s popularity kept him in the competition and leaves the pair returning for Week 2 with clear technical areas to improve.