Is Carrie Ann Inaba Being Replaced With Guest Judge for ‘DWTS’ Premiere?

Carrie Ann Inaba will not be at the Dancing With the Stars season 34 premiere on Tuesday, September 16, due to illness. Only Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli will judge the night’s performances, with scores given on a 20-point scale instead of the usual 30. Inaba announced her absence in a statement, wishing the contestants luck and assuring fans she plans to return next week. Well-wishes poured in from fellow pros, including Julianne Hough and Britt Stewart, while fans speculated on potential fill-ins, suggesting former pros like Lindsay Arnold and Sasha Farber. Inaba, who has served as a DWTS judge since its 2005 debut, is known for her candid critiques and emotional moments but has also faced backlash as the show’s longest-serving female judge. Reflecting on her tenure last year, she admitted it hasn’t been easy, noting the criticism she receives compared to her male counterparts.