A social media comment sparked unexpected controversy around Dancing With the Stars Season 35, prompting contestant Jackson Olson to publicly apologize to fellow competitor Guillermo Rodriguez. But rather than allowing the situation to become a lasting feud, the two men have since made it clear that their friendship remains intact.

Olson, a Savannah Bananas baseball player competing on the ABC dance competition, faced criticism after commenting on a video that recreated one of Rodriguez’s performances. The clip featured Banana Ball player Erik Ostberg imitating a routine performed by Rodriguez and his professional dance partner, Witney Carson.

Under the video, Olson reportedly wrote, “how did you do this better than him with 2 hours of rehersal,” comparing Ostberg’s version favorably with Rodriguez’s performance. The comment was subsequently deleted, but it had already attracted attention from viewers who interpreted it as a dig at Rodriguez’s dancing ability.

Rodriguez, best known as a longtime personality on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has been competing on Dancing With the Stars despite having limited dance experience. His performances have drawn mixed reactions, and his participation has become a talking point among fans as the competition grows more demanding.

On October 6, Olson addressed the backlash directly through Instagram. He shared a video of himself dancing alongside Rodriguez to “Nobody’s Perfect,” the song from Hannah Montana, accompanying the playful clip with an apology.

“To G and to all of you, from the bottom of my heart I am so sorry about my comment I made the other day and that it caused this much negativity,” Olson wrote.

He followed the apology with a message of support, adding that he loved Rodriguez and wanted everyone to focus on what the show was meant to celebrate: dancing. The choice of song also gave the post a lighthearted tone, emphasizing the idea that mistakes can be acknowledged and moved past.

Rodriguez subsequently confirmed that there was no lasting tension between them. Speaking to TV Insider, he said the pair were friends despite competing against each other, describing Olson as a good guy and saying they were having fun on the show.

Olson also explained that the two had discussed the situation privately. He said he visited Rodriguez’s trailer, where they spoke for approximately 30 minutes to clear the air. The conversation gave them an opportunity to address the comment directly rather than letting online speculation define their relationship.

“I love Guillermo, and I have loved him [since we met],” Olson said, reaffirming that their connection had grown throughout the competition. He added that they wanted to show people they were genuinely friends and had no intention of being malicious toward one another.

The episode highlights how quickly a seemingly casual social media remark can become a larger controversy when posted in the middle of a televised competition. With viewers closely following contestants’ performances and interactions, even a brief comment can be interpreted as evidence of rivalry.

For Olson and Rodriguez, however, the situation appears to have ended with a public apology and a private conversation. Both have emphasized their friendship, suggesting that they are more interested in supporting one another than prolonging the online dispute.

As Season 35 continues, the contestants remain focused on the competition, where performances, scores and audience votes determine who advances. Their reconciliation offers a reminder that competition does not necessarily have to come at the expense of camaraderie.

Source: Compiled from various sources