‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35: Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach Call Guillermo Rodriguez Their Biggest Competition

Guillermo Rodriguez isn’t just a Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick — he’s also a serious threat on the ballroom floor, according to Dancing With the Stars Season 35 competitor Ezra Frech and pro dancer Daniella Karagach.

Frech and Karagach told Entertainment Weekly recently that Rodriguez was the most daunting dancer of the Season 35 cast.

“Dance skill-wise, it’s for sure Guillermo,” Karagach said. “Literally an icon.”

Frech added, “It’s intimidating to watch this man move his shoulders just because they’re so limber. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to keep up. Guillermo is stiff competition.”

Rodriguez also has the support of Jimmy Kimmel. “He just told me, ‘Go have fun, enjoy, and be yourself,’ and that’s it,” the former security guard told EW.

When Season 35 kicks off with a two-night premiere starting on Tuesday, September 15, viewers will see Rodriguez hit the floor with pro partner Witney Carson. And in an interview with TV Insider earlier this summer, Carson compared Rodriguez to another famous talk show sidekick, one who did well in DWTS Season 34: former Conan star Andy Richter.

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“I’m actually really excited for Guillermo,” Carson told us. “I love Guillermo. I think he’s really funny and really sweet. I think he’s gonna be, like, the Andy Richter of the season. You know? He’s gonna be the people’s prince, for sure.”

But Frech — a two-time Paralympic gold medalist — and Karagach — a pro DWTS dancer since Season 29 — plan to put up a fight, especially now that Karagach’s head is in the game.

“I honestly needed some inspiration going into this season,” Karagach previously admitted to TV Insider. “I feel like we’ve done so much since last season. It almost feels like we didn’t stop. But then, meeting Ezra [Frech] and seeing how hungry he is for this process and how much he respects dance, it’s inspiring me so, so much.”

Dancing With the Stars Season 35 2-Night Premiere, Tuesday, September 15 & Wednesday, September 16, 8/7c & Disney+, Streams Next Day on Hulu