The glittering ballroom of Dancing With the Stars was missing something — or rather, someone — very important when the curtain rose on Season 34. Carrie Ann Inaba, the show’s only female judge and a fixture since its very first episode in 2005, announced just hours before the premiere that she would not be at the judges’ table. Fans were stunned. The news hit like a thunderclap, sparking concern, speculation, and an immediate social media firestorm.
On Instagram, the 57-year-old TV personality broke the news gently but firmly: she wasn’t feeling well. “I wanted to share that I will not be at the show tonight as I am feeling quite under the weather,” she wrote. She promised she’d be “resting up” and vowed to return the following week. But what was meant as a simple health update quickly snowballed into one of the most talked-about moments in DWTS history.
Within hours, the hashtag #WhereIsCarrieAnn had soared past a million mentions on X (formerly Twitter). TikTok edits popped up everywhere, fans voicing their disbelief: “DWTS without Carrie Ann isn’t DWTS.” Some worried about her health, while others whispered about behind-the-scenes drama or even a surprise twist from producers. Theories ranged from mild illness to secret negotiations — and the fact that no replacement judge was announced only deepened the mystery.
Inside the ballroom, the judges’ table looked unusually bare. With Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli holding down the fort, scoring was adjusted to a 20-point scale instead of the traditional 30. The change was jarring, reminding everyone just how essential Carrie Ann’s presence has been to the rhythm and personality of the show. Even the contestants seemed to sense the gap, dedicating extra energy to win over a diminished panel.
Well-wishes poured in from her DWTS family. Professional dancer Britt Stewart urged her to “feel better,” Derek Hough dropped heart emojis, and Julianne Hough affectionately wrote, “Get better soon sis.” But even amid the love, longtime viewers couldn’t shake their unease. One fan captured the mood perfectly: “Carrie Ann has never missed a premiere in 20 years. Something feels off.”
The timing of her absence only fueled more chatter. Just weeks ago, she had skipped the live cast announcement on Good Morning America, leaving Derek and Bruno to handle the spotlight. At the time, fans shrugged it off, but now, with a second major absence, questions have multiplied. Could it be something more than a temporary illness?
Adding to the tension, reports have swirled of chaos backstage this season. Producers are said to be battling dropouts, clashes between pros and “lazy” celebrities, and a scramble to hold the show together under mounting pressure. With Carrie Ann missing, it feels as though the perfect storm has hit right as Season 34 gets underway.
Still, Carrie Ann’s legacy looms large. For nearly two decades, she has been the sharp-eyed, passionate, sometimes fiery voice balancing Bruno’s flamboyance and Derek’s technical focus. In past interviews, she admitted she’s considered walking away more than once, but always returned. “What I do is complex and it takes courage,” she told Variety. “I show up and speak my truth in front of millions.”
Whether her absence is truly just a short health setback or a sign of deeper shifts behind the scenes, one thing is clear: the ballroom isn’t the same without her. For fans, the premiere was proof of just how irreplaceable Carrie Ann Inaba has become — and why her eventual return might be the most anticipated moment of the season.
