{"id":2144920,"date":"2025-11-09T18:48:25","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T18:48:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2144920"},"modified":"2025-11-09T18:48:25","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T18:48:25","slug":"carrie-ann-inaba-reveals-the-dark-side-of-judging-dwts-amid-ongoing-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/carrie-ann-inaba-reveals-the-dark-side-of-judging-dwts-amid-ongoing-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"Carrie Ann Inaba Reveals The Dark Side Of Judging \u2018DWTS\u2019 Amid Ongoing Backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">After years of projecting poise and confidence behind the <strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/dancing-with-the-stars\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:&quot;Dancing With the Stars&quot;;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">&#8220;Dancing With the Stars&#8221;<\/a><\/strong> judges\u2019 table, <strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/carrie-ann-inaba\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Carrie Ann Inaba;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Carrie Ann Inaba<\/a><\/strong> is getting candid about just how stressful that position can be. During a recent appearance on &#8220;The Dancing With the Stars Official Podcast&#8221; with host <strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/Joey-Graziadei\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Joey Graziadei;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Joey Graziadei<\/a><\/strong>, the longtime judge revealed that she used to throw up before every show due to the intense pressure that comes with critiquing contestants on live television. Her candid confession comes amid a fresh wave of backlash over her recent comments on <strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/Danielle-Fishel\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Danielle Fishel;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Danielle Fishel<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s performance during &#8220;DWTS&#8221;\u2019 \u201cHalloween Night\u201d episode on October 28.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Carrie Ann Inaba Opens Up About The Stress Of Judging<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>O&#8217;Connor\/AFF-USA.com \/ MEGA<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Speaking on the podcast, Inaba shared how nerve-wracking it\u2019s been to sit in the hot seat week after week, knowing millions are watching and judging her in return.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cAgree with me. In fact, if they don&#8217;t agree with me, that\u2019s also fine, because they get to vote,\u201d Inaba explained. \u201cBut I believe it&#8217;s important for us all to have the courage to speak up about what we\u2019re saying.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She went on to admit that the role has always been emotionally taxing. \u201cTrust me, I\u2019m gripping the table, like I\u2019m gripping right now, because it\u2019s stressful,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m an empath. It\u2019s never not been stressful. I used to throw up before I went out there. Every single time. I don\u2019t know when it stopped, maybe in the last seven years.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Inaba also confessed that being on camera as a speaker has never come naturally. \u201cI like to dance. I don\u2019t want to speak,\u201d she said with a laugh. \u201cBut I also felt like it was an important perspective to share.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">\u2018It\u2019s Different For Women\u2019: Inaba Speaks On Double Standards<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Inaba didn\u2019t shy away from addressing the gender bias she\u2019s faced as one of the show\u2019s longest-serving judges.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI feel that my role on the show is important, and it\u2019s often minimized, and it\u2019s because I\u2019m a woman,\u201d she said. \u201cI can say the same thing as men, and I will be hammered for it. I can give a higher score than men, and I will be hammered for it. And this is nothing against my fellow judges, this is sort of the state of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She emphasized that part of her motivation for sticking with the show is to model confidence and courage for young women watching. She added, \u201cAs a woman who\u2019s also a minority in the room, it\u2019s important for me to speak up and have courage. I\u2019m trying to teach people and young girls out there how to have their voice, even if it\u2019s different.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Facing Backlash For Her Critiques<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Carrie Ann Inaba at Fourth Annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"1200\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/VmfLOVV8iN04N3Zec0WUhw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEyMDA7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/theblast_73\/35ae3e45da0dc3322421a66f901c2258\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>ZUMAPRESS.com \/ MEGA<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Her honest admission comes on the heels of renewed backlash over her remarks about Danielle Fishel\u2019s performance during DWTS\u2019 \u201cHalloween Night\u201d episode.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">After Fishel\u2019s dance, Inaba remarked, \u201cYou have to use the space because you are a tiny little woman.\u201d While the &#8220;Boy Meets World&#8221; actress took the comment in stride, saying later, \u201cI am a tiny little woman, but she\u2019s big on the inside, very powerful. So, I need to unleash her more often,\u201d fans were less forgiving.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Viewers flooded social media, calling the comment \u201ccondescending\u201d and \u201ctone-deaf,\u201d accusing Inaba of being too harsh on contestants. Still, Inaba\u2019s perspective sheds light on why she takes her role so seriously, not just as a critic, but as a woman trying to balance honesty, empathy, and professionalism under immense pressure.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Fans Previously Called For Her Replacement Over &#8216;Biased&#8217; Judging<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Carri An Inaba at ABC's 'Dancing With The Stars' Season 28 Top Six Finalists Party\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/HRPimZUUEEMBpOY.3v0RDw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/theblast_73\/cfb959d634a804baec03cec93da7855c\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Xavier Collin\/Image Press Agency \/ MEGA<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This isn\u2019t the first time Carrie Ann Inaba has faced criticism for her scoring decisions. Just last season, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/carrie-ann-inaba-under-fire-163017331.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:fans launched calls for her replacement;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">fans launched calls for her replacement<\/a>, accusing the longtime &#8220;DWTS&#8221; judge of showing bias against female dancers after a string of controversial scores.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The issue reignited during the show\u2019s \u201cHalloween Nightmares Night\u201d episode, when contestants were challenged to face their fears through hauntingly themed routines inspired by their personal nightmares. <strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/Chandler-Kinney\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Chandler Kinney;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Chandler Kinney<\/a><\/strong> dazzled the ballroom with a mesmerizing Viennese waltz set to the &#8220;Pretty Little Liars&#8221; theme song, \u201cSecret\u201d by Denmark + Winter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Judges <strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/Derek-Hough\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Derek Hough;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Derek Hough<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/Bruno-Tonioli\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Bruno Tonioli;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Bruno Tonioli<\/a><\/strong> were blown away, each awarding Chandler a perfect 10 for her emotional performance. But Carrie Ann once again stirred debate, giving the actress a 9 and remarking, \u201cThat wasn\u2019t perfection.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She acknowledged that Chandler\u2019s choreography was among the most technically demanding of the night, along with Olympian <strong><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/theblast.com\/tag\/Ilona-Maher\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Ilona Maher;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Ilona Maher<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s intricate tango, which Inaba scored an 8, but her lower marks compared to her fellow judges left many viewers fuming.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Carrie Ann Inaba Is A Judge With Purpose<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Carrie Ann Inaba at 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"1369\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/WEPI0txN1BwBtBKMMK3kRQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEzNjk7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/theblast_73\/3ae820991ebde171ed6ba092619a5eaa\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>River \/ MEGA<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Despite the criticism, Inaba continues to see her position as bigger than just handing out scores.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cWhat\u2019s great about the panel, and always has been, is that we can have different opinions and yet still be comrades and friends,\u201d she reflected. \u201cWe\u2019re still doing it together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She currently sits on the &#8220;Dancing With the Stars&#8221; judging panel alongside Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After years of projecting poise and confidence behind the &#8220;Dancing With the Stars&#8221; judges\u2019 table, Carrie Ann Inaba is getting candid about just how stressful that position can be. During a recent appearance on &#8220;The Dancing With the Stars Official Podcast&#8221; with host Joey Graziadei, the longtime judge revealed that she used to throw up [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2144921,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[344312,41508,50227,371778,353614],"class_list":["post-2144920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-carrie-ann-inaba","tag-dancing-with-the-stars","tag-danielle-fishel","tag-halloween-night","tag-joey-graziadei"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Carrie-Ann-Inaba-Reveals-The-Dark-Side-Of-Judging-\u2018DWTS.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2144920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2144920"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2144920\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2144922,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2144920\/revisions\/2144922"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2144921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2144920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2144920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2144920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}