{"id":193452,"date":"2025-09-16T21:19:58","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T21:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/16\/is-carrie-ann-inaba-being-replaced-on-dancing-with-the-stars-premiere\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T21:19:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T21:19:58","slug":"is-carrie-ann-inaba-being-replaced-on-dancing-with-the-stars-premiere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/16\/is-carrie-ann-inaba-being-replaced-on-dancing-with-the-stars-premiere\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Carrie Ann Inaba Being Replaced on Dancing With the Stars Premiere?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A new judge won\u2019t be filling in for Carrie Ann Inaba<\/strong><\/a> amid her absence from the Dancing With the Stars<\/em><\/a> season 34 premiere.<\/p>\n

According to multiple outlets, only Derek Hough<\/strong> and Bruno Tonioli<\/strong> will be handing out scores during the first episode of the season on Tuesday, September 16. Performances will be judged on a scale of 20 as opposed to the typical 30.<\/p>\n

Hours before the premiere, Inaba, 57, announced via Instagram<\/a> that she would not be in the DWTS<\/em> ballroom to see the new cast perform for the first time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to share that I will not be at the show tonight as I am feeling quite under the weather. I\u2019m resting up and can\u2019t wait to be back next week in good health,\u201d she wrote in a statement. \u201cIn the meantime, I wish all the contestants the very best of luck. I\u2019ll be cheering you on from home. \ud83e\udd0d\ud83d\ude4f Have a great show everyone! \ud83e\udea9\ud83d\udc83\ud83c\udffb\ud83d\udd7a\ud83c\udffb\u2b50\ufe0f.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Carrie Ann Inaba Skipping \u2018DWTS\u2019 Season 34 Premiere Amid Illness<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe Dancing With the Stars ballroom will be down one judge for the season 34 premiere, after Carrie Ann Inaba announced she won\u2019t be in attendance. \u201cI wanted to share that I will not be at the show tonight as I am feeling quite under the weather,\u201d Inaba, 57, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, September [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Well-wishes poured in from current and former pros. \u201cGet better soon sis \u2764\ufe0f\u200d\ud83e\ude79,\u201d Julianne Hough<\/strong> wrote in the comments section, with Britt Stewart<\/strong> adding, \u201cHope you feel better Carrie Ann! \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some fans also offered their suggestions for who would make a good temporary judge, naming former pros Lindsay Arnold<\/strong> and Sasha Farber<\/strong>, among others. (Farber, 41, is not competing as a pro<\/a> on season 34 but will be taking fans behind the scenes via TikTok on premiere night.)<\/p>\n

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\n Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli on \u2018Dancing With the Stars\u2019<\/span> Disney\/Eric McCandless<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inaba already made headlines this month when she was noticeably absent from the cast announcement<\/a>, which aired live on Good Morning America<\/em> on September 3. Tonioli, 69, and Derek, 40, were on hand for the reveal, as were cohosts Julianne, 37, and Alfonso Ribeiro<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

While she wasn\u2019t part of the announcement broadcast, Inaba celebrated<\/a> the incoming cast, which includes Jen Affleck<\/strong>, Hilaria Baldwin<\/strong>, Jordan Chiles<\/strong>, Baron Davis<\/strong>, Dylan Efron<\/strong>, Corey Feldman<\/strong> and more stars.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere we goooooo!!!!\u201d Inaba wrote via her Instagram Story, sharing several photos of the celebs and pros.<\/p>\n

Inaba has been a judge on DWTS<\/em><\/a> since the ballroom competition premiered in 2005. She\u2019s known for her bold commentary \u2014 and has even ruffled a few feathers among viewers and contestants alike.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere have been times where I\u2019ve almost walked away,\u201d Inaba confessed at the Variety<\/em> Women of Reality TV event in November 2023. \u201cAs the only female judge for most of the seasons, I get a lot more hate than the men do.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Which ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pros Didn’t Return for Season 34?<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tDancing With the Stars season 34 is officially underway with a star-studded list of celebrity contestants and returning pros, but there were a few noticeable absences. The cast and their partners were announced via Good Morning America on Wednesday, September 3. Jenna Johnson and husband Val Chmerkovskiy are back in the ballroom to compete alongside [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In social media footage from the event, Inaba got emotional while reflecting on her DWTS<\/em> tenure. \u201cI\u2019m the judge who cries, yes that\u2019s true,\u201d she said. \u201cPeople doubt what I say. \u2026 I feel like I have to fight harder for my opinion to be honored.\u201d<\/p>\n

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