DWTS ’ Carrie Ann Inaba Shares Update After Missing Premiere Episode

Originally appeared on E! Online

Carrie Ann Inaba really jived with the Dancing With the Stars premiere.

After the judge shared that she would unfortunately miss the show’s season 34 premiere due to an unspecified illness, Carrie Ann couldn’t help but gush about the show and all the love she received.

“Bravo to the whole cast and crew of @dancingwiththestars,” the 57-year-old wrote on her Instagram Story Sept. 17. “That was an incredible premiere episode!”

Carrie Ann continued, “And thank YOU all for the well wishes. I’m touched at all the messages of support I received.”

The choreographer—who also shared a snapshot of a bouquet of flowers she received from network ABC—was also thankful for the “respectful way” Dancing With the Stars handled what she called “a very human situation.”

During the show’s premiere, hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough addressed Carrie Ann’s absence alongside Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.

“It’s great to have all of you at home joining us in the ballroom and wonderful to see our judges—well, two of them,” Alfonso said. “Carrie Ann is under the weather and hopes to be back with us next week.”

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Julianne added, “Get well soon, Carrie Ann. We love you.”

Shortly before the live broadcast, Carrie Ann had explained that she would be absent from the judge’s table.

Disney/Eric McCandless

“I wanted to share that I will not be at the show tonight as I am feeling quite under the weather,” she wrote in an Instagram post Sept. 16. “I’m resting up and can’t wait to be back next week in good health.”

She wished all the competitors—including stars like Hilaria Baldwin, Alix Earle, Corey Feldman, Robert Irwin and Dylan Efron—the best of luck, adding, “I’ll be cheering you on from home.”

Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, Dancing With the Stars — Disney/Eric McCandless
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And that is exactly what she did, as seen on her Instagram Story, which showed her excitedly waiting for the broadcast to begin.

But Carrie Ann wasn’t the only person whose absence was felt in the ballroom, as dancing pro Sasha Farber did not return to compete on season 34. However, the 41-year-old found a way to still be involved during the premiere by giving fans a behind-the-scenes look of the show as the official host of their TikTok Live.

For more from all the celebs competing this year, keep reading.

Baron Davis