Carrie Ann Inaba is responding directly to accusations that she has been showing favoritism on Dancing With the Stars Season 35.
The longtime judge has faced growing criticism over her scoring this season, with some viewers arguing that certain contestants receive noticeably different treatment despite delivering performances of similar quality.
Now Carrie Ann has publicly pushed back.
The latest exchange began when a viewer wrote on Threads that they had been called an “online bully” after simply expressing the opinion that Guillermo Rodriguez had advanced further than contestants they believed deserved to remain.
Carrie Ann responded sympathetically to the fan and acknowledged just how passionate the DWTS online community can become.
More importantly, she addressed the larger judging controversy.
She argued that criticism and lower scores shouldn’t automatically be interpreted as evidence that judges favor somebody else.
“A lower score doesn’t mean someone else is a ‘favorite,’” Carrie Ann wrote while defending the idea that judges can simply evaluate performances differently from viewers.
The comment comes after an especially difficult week for Carrie Ann.
During Mariah Carey Night, Guillermo and professional partner Witney Carson performed a Samba to Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed.”
The judges awarded them just 13 out of 30, leaving Guillermo at the bottom of the leaderboard once again.
Carrie Ann and Derek Hough each gave him a 4, while Bruno Tonioli awarded a 5.
But it was Carrie Ann’s verbal critique that created the bigger controversy.
She questioned where Guillermo’s usual joy had gone and told him that she felt he was “dimming” the personality that had made him such a popular contestant.
The ballroom immediately erupted in boos.
Carrie Ann defended herself in the moment, explaining that offering honest criticism is exactly what she is there to do.
She then clarified that her intention wasn’t to tear Guillermo down.
Instead, she said she believed his joy and personality were special qualities and wanted him to continue showing them in every performance.
Witney Carson strongly disagreed.
She explained afterward that Guillermo had intentionally performed with a more serious attitude because they were portraying a diva-like character during “Obsessed.”
Witney said she “completely” disagreed with Carrie Ann’s interpretation and later described the remark as “out of pocket.”
She then doubled down on social media.
Witney shared another defense of Guillermo with the message “I said what I said,” making it clear that she wasn’t interested in softening her position simply because the criticism came from a judge.
The scoring debate extends beyond Guillermo.
Carrie Ann has also faced criticism for awarding Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas the first 9 of Season 35 for their Waltz while Derek and Bruno both gave the performance 8s.
Some viewers questioned why Maura crossed the 9-point threshold when other strong contestants remained at 8s.
Amber Glenn’s scores also fueled the discussion after Carrie Ann gave her a 7 while Derek and Bruno each awarded an 8.
That led some fans online to accuse Carrie Ann of inconsistency or favoritism.
But those remain viewer accusations.
There is no evidence showing that Carrie Ann is deliberately favoring one contestant over another, and her latest response makes clear that she rejects that interpretation of her scoring.
Guillermo’s continued survival has created an entirely separate debate.
Despite repeatedly receiving some of the lowest judges’ scores of Season 35, he and Witney continue advancing because judges’ points are combined with viewer voting.
His popularity has become one of the season’s biggest storylines.
That means Carrie Ann can give Guillermo a low score without controlling whether he stays.
Viewers ultimately have considerable influence over the final outcome.
For Carrie Ann, that distinction appears central to her response.
She believes judges should be allowed to criticize performances and award lower scores without those decisions automatically becoming evidence of personal bias.
For Guillermo’s supporters, however, her comments during Mariah Carey Night remain difficult to forget.
And with Guillermo advancing to Super Bowl Night while his professional partner continues publicly defending him, this judging controversy may not disappear anytime soon.
Carrie Ann has now made her position clear:
A lower score isn’t proof of favoritism — even when fans strongly disagree with the judge holding the paddle.
