Talent Recap

Top 10 Most Memorable Carrie Ann Inaba Moments on ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Carrie Ann Inaba on 'Dancing With The Stars' 2025Photo by: Disney/Eric McCandless

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Carrie Ann Inaba may not always be a fan favorite judge on Dancing With The Stars, but the show is arguably incomplete without her. As the strict personality in the panel, it’s not surprising that she’s involved herself in unintentional feuds with some cast. There’s no denying that Inaba is a much-needed part of the series, so let’s look back at her most memorable moments on the show.


Carrie Ann Inaba Most Memorable Moments on Dancing With The Stars

1. Her Different Wigs

If you’ve been a fan of DWTS for quite some time now, you will definitely take notice of Inaba’s ever changing hairstyles. Apparently, the judge has a collection of different wigs, from fashionable blondes to vibrant pinks. For those who may not know, Inaba’s decision to wear wigs stemmed from various medical conditions that cause hair loss.

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2. When Emma Slater booed her

In DWTS season 31’s Halloween Night, Emma Slater booed Inaba after she gave unpopular feedback to Charli D’Amelio, Heidi D’Amelio, and Jordin Sparks. The judge nonetheless chose to not pick a fight, stating that she still loves Slater despite the surprising reaction. The DWTS pro later explained herself, saying that it was just her unleashing her “protective side.”

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3. Her Emotional Confrontation with Hannah Brown

During a behind-the-scenes segment on DWTS 2019, Bachelorette star Hannah Brown moved to tears after hearing Inaba’s comments during her rumba rehearsal. Inaba then went emotional as well, apologizing and confessing that she felt sad to see Brown distressed.


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4. When She Fell Out of Her Chair

It’s no secret that Inaba has accidentally fallen out of her chair on DWTS before. There was one time when she went to sit back down and fell straight on the floor, which prompted the audience to laugh. Notably, it wasn’t the first time that Inaba experienced a hilarious tumble on the show. During season 15, she slid off her chair after commented on Gilles Marini and Peta Murgatroyd‘s sultry rumba.

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5. Crying Over Andy Dick’s Performance

Most of the time, Inaba is a tough judge, yet there are moments where she shows off her soft side. When Andy Dick performed Viennese waltz dedicated to his 15-year-old daughter Meg, the audience saw Inaba bawling. She called the dance “the simplest poem” with the most beautiful movements.

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6. She Gushed Over Emma Slater, Mauricio Umansky

In Season 32, Inaba praised Mauricio Umansky and Emma Slater’s “beautiful chemistry” after their contemporary dance. According to Inaba, a contemporary number is something that anyone can’t fake. Guessing that “there is something going on” between the pair, the judge thanked them for letting them witness the dance.


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7. When She Repeatedly Interrupted Derek Hough

During Disney100 Night of Season 32, Inaba repeatedly interrupted Derek Hough, when it was his time to speak. Consequently, Hough lost his train of thought and even pulled out the wrong paddle when giving his score. This unfortunate situation compelled Inaba to issue a public apology on Instagram.

8. Her Beef with Kaitlyn Bristowe

When Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev performed a lift during their jive, Inaba wasn’t one to ignore it. Apparently, fans thought that Inaba was simply picking on Bristowe because she was Chigvintsev’s partner. Despite criticism, the judge maintained that she’s judging based on her conscience.

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9. When Jenna Johnson Responded to Critique

After Karamo Brown and Jenna Johnson performed tango to Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,”  Inaba took the time to call out the duo’s starting position, once again a lift. According to Inaba, she would be docking off a point for not abiding by the rules. Johnson tried to protests, but the judge stood by her decision.

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10. Her ASL Message to Nyle DiMarco

After Nyle DiMarco’s performance season 22 Finale of DWTS, Inaba took the time to deliver her message to him in sign language. Such was a very touching moment for the deaf contestant, who later won the competition. In a later interview, DiMarco stated that he appreciated the genuine gesture, admitting that “it really hit me right at the heart.”

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