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Dancing With the Stars contestants Guillermo Rodriguez and Jackson Olson said they are friends after Olson apologized for a social media comment that drew criticism. Olson said the two had spoken privately and shared a video of them dancing together.

Dancing With the Stars contestants Guillermo Rodriguez and Jackson Olson said they are friends and have no bad blood after Olson apologized for a social media comment that fans viewed as disrespectful to Rodriguez. Rodriguez told TV Insider on Tuesday that the two are enjoying the competition, while Olson also described them as friends.

“We’re friends,” Rodriguez, known for his work on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, told TV Insider. “We’re competing against each other, but we’re friends. We’re having fun. He’s a good guy.” Olson, an infielder with the Savannah Bananas, told the outlet that he and Rodriguez are “truly friends.”

Olson apologized in an Instagram post earlier Tuesday, addressing Rodriguez and people who had reacted to his comment. “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,” he wrote. The post included video of the pair dancing to “Nobody’s Perfect” by Hannah Montana, and Olson added, “I love this guy,” followed by a red heart emoji.

The dispute began with a comment Olson left beneath a TikTok video posted the previous week by Banana Ball team Loco Beach Coconuts. The clip showed player Erik Ostberg recreating a dance Rodriguez and his professional partner, Witney Carson, had performed on the show. Olson wrote, “How did you do this better than him with 2 hours of rehearsal,” praising Ostberg’s version. The comment was later deleted, and fans criticized it as disrespectful to Rodriguez.

How the Apology Addresses the Criticism

The exchange matters because it resolves, at least publicly, a disagreement that developed around two contestants appearing on the same competition show. Olson’s comment compared another dancer’s performance with Rodriguez’s, and some viewers interpreted it as a put-down. The contestants’ statements now frame the incident as a misunderstanding between friends rather than an ongoing feud.

Olson’s apology acknowledged that his wording had caused negativity, while Rodriguez’s response made clear that he did not describe the relationship as damaged. Their comments may reassure viewers following the show’s cast, but they do not establish how every fan interpreted the original remark or whether the online criticism has ended.

The Comment Behind the Apology

The social media exchange involved a dance from the current Dancing With the Stars season. Rodriguez performed with professional dancer Witney Carson; the later TikTok video featured Erik Ostberg recreating that routine. Olson’s remark praised Ostberg’s rendition by comparing it with Rodriguez’s performance and referring to the rehearsal time.

After fans objected, Olson removed the comment, according to the Los Angeles Times account of the episode. On Tuesday, he posted an apology and video of himself dancing with Rodriguez. Olson also told TV Insider that they had spoken privately, saying he went to Rodriguez’s trailer and they talked for about 30 minutes to clear the air. The public statements followed that conversation.

“We’re competing against each other, but we’re friends. We’re having fun. He’s a good guy.”

— Guillermo Rodriguez, speaking to TV Insider

What the Public Statements Establish

The available statements establish that both men publicly described themselves as friends and that Olson apologized. They do not provide the full details of their private conversation or say whether Rodriguez had asked Olson to apologize. Olson’s comment was deleted, and the precise timing of its removal is not specified.

It is also unclear whether the contestants will address the incident further on Dancing With the Stars or in future interviews. The reported apology and responses do not indicate any change to their participation in the competition.

The Competition Continues on Air

For now, Rodriguez and Olson remain fellow contestants on Dancing With the Stars, and both have said their relationship is friendly. No further statement or show-related action concerning the comment was reported. Viewers can expect the pair to continue competing, though the available information does not specify whether the show will feature or discuss their exchange.

The immediate development is the public clarification: Olson apologized, and Rodriguez said they are friends. Any further response from either contestant, or any additional details about the conversation they described, had not been reported as of Oct. 7, 2026.

Source: Los Angeles Times

Key Questions

Are Guillermo Rodriguez and Jackson Olson friends?

Yes. Rodriguez told TV Insider, “We’re friends,” and Olson also described them as “truly friends.”

Why did Jackson Olson apologize?

Olson apologized for a social media comment comparing Erik Ostberg’s recreation of a dance with Rodriguez’s performance. Fans criticized the remark as disrespectful to Rodriguez.

What did Olson say in the comment?

Under a TikTok video of Ostberg dancing, Olson wrote, “How did you do this better than him with 2 hours of rehearsal.” The comment was later deleted.

Did Rodriguez say he was upset with Olson?

Rodriguez’s reported comments emphasized that they are friends and are having fun competing. The account does not report him describing ongoing anger or a damaged relationship.

Did the comment affect their participation on DWTS?

No change to either contestant’s participation was reported. Both remain contestants, and the available information does not describe any show-related action over the exchange.

Source: Los Angeles Times