DWTS' Witney Carson Slams Judges' 'Lame' Scores for Guillermo Rodriguez

The new season of *Dancing With the Stars* kicked off with plenty of glamour, but pro dancer Witney Carson is already calling out the judging panel over what she considers unfairly harsh opening-night scores for her celebrity partner, Guillermo Rodriguez. The duo took to the ballroom floor for Tuesday night's live premiere, delivering a high-octane cha-cha set to Jean Knight’s famous 1970s hit "Mr. Big Stuff." Despite bringing maximum personality and fan-favorite charisma to the routine, the judges handed down a staggering overall score of just 10 out of a possible 30 points. The low total instantly placed the couple near the bottom of the scoreboard for the night. Carrie Ann Inaba offered the highest mark with a 4, while both Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli awarded the performance a meager 3 each. ## witney carson calls dwts judges scores lame Speaking in a post-show interview, Carson made her feelings clear about the low tally handed to the pair. The 32-year-old professional dancer strongly defended her 55-year-old partner, revealing how intensely they had trained to master the timing and rhythm of their intricate cha-cha routine ahead of the live broadcast. Carson noted that while there were minor moments where their rhythm drifted slightly off, Rodriguez quickly recovered, listened to her guidance, and maintained his performance value throughout the dance. She noted that his ability to stay present on stage was a massive achievement for a first-time competitor. Expressing deep pride in his hard work and enthusiasm, the pro dancer bluntly labeled the judges' numerical output as completely "lame." ## guillermo rodriguez derek hough dwts premiere scores Rodriguez was also left bewildered by the low evaluation from the panel. The beloved *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* figure admitted that he felt he performed well on the dance floor and believed his effort deserved a much better response from the scoring desk. Injecting his trademark humor into the situation, the 55-year-old comedian joked that 41-year-old judge Hough was dead to them after throwing down a score of 3. However, Rodriguez quickly pulled back on the banter after realizing that Hough would continue judging their routines in the upcoming weeks of the competition. Despite starting at the bottom of the premiere leaderboard, Carson emphasized that seeing her partner have fun and stay committed was all she could ask for as a coach. The pair will now attempt to refine their technique and rally fan support to stay alive in the ballroom.