Carrie Ann Inaba Reveals The Dark Side Of Judging ‘DWTS’ Amid Ongoing Backlash

After years of projecting poise and confidence behind the "Dancing With the Stars" judges’ table, Carrie Ann Inaba is getting candid about just how stressful that position can be. During a recent appearance on "The Dancing With the Stars Official Podcast" with host Joey Graziadei, the longtime judge revealed that she used to throw up before every show due to the intense pressure that comes with critiquing contestants on live television. Her candid confession comes amid a fresh wave of backlash over her recent comments on Danielle Fishel’s performance during "DWTS"’ “Halloween Night” episode on October 28.

Speaking on the podcast, Inaba shared how nerve-wracking it’s been to sit in the hot seat week after week, knowing millions are watching and judging her in return.

“Agree with me. In fact, if they don't agree with me, that’s also fine, because they get to vote,” Inaba explained. “But I believe it's important for us all to have the courage to speak up about what we’re saying.”

She went on to admit that the role has always been emotionally taxing. “Trust me, I’m gripping the table, like I’m gripping right now, because it’s stressful,” she said. “I’m an empath. It’s never not been stressful. I used to throw up before I went out there. Every single time. I don’t know when it stopped, maybe in the last seven years.”

Inaba also confessed that being on camera as a speaker has never come naturally. “I like to dance. I don’t want to speak,” she said with a laugh. “But I also felt like it was an important perspective to share.”

Inaba didn’t shy away from addressing the gender bias she’s faced as one of the show’s longest-serving judges.

“I feel that my role on the show is important, and it’s often minimized, and it’s because I’m a woman,” she said. “I can say the same thing as men, and I will be hammered for it. I can give a higher score than men, and I will be hammered for it. And this is nothing against my fellow judges, this is sort of the state of the world.”

She emphasized that part of her motivation for sticking with the show is to model confidence and courage for young women watching. She added, “As a woman who’s also a minority in the room, it’s important for me to speak up and have courage. I’m trying to teach people and young girls out there how to have their voice, even if it’s different.”

Her honest admission comes on the heels of renewed backlash over her remarks about Danielle Fishel’s performance during DWTS’ “Halloween Night” episode.

After Fishel’s dance, Inaba remarked, “You have to use the space because you are a tiny little woman.” While the "Boy Meets World" actress took the comment in stride, saying later, “I am a tiny little woman, but she’s big on the inside, very powerful. So, I need to unleash her more often,” fans were less forgiving.

Viewers flooded social media, calling the comment “condescending” and “tone-deaf,” accusing Inaba of being too harsh on contestants. Still, Inaba’s perspective sheds light on why she takes her role so seriously, not just as a critic, but as a woman trying to balance honesty, empathy, and professionalism under immense pressure.

This isn’t the first time Carrie Ann Inaba has faced criticism for her scoring decisions. Just last season, fans launched calls for her replacement, accusing the longtime "DWTS" judge of showing bias against female dancers after a string of controversial scores.

The issue reignited during the show’s “Halloween Nightmares Night” episode, when contestants were challenged to face their fears through hauntingly themed routines inspired by their personal nightmares. Chandler Kinney dazzled the ballroom with a mesmerizing Viennese waltz set to the "Pretty Little Liars" theme song, “Secret” by Denmark + Winter.

Judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli were blown away, each awarding Chandler a perfect 10 for her emotional performance. But Carrie Ann once again stirred debate, giving the actress a 9 and remarking, “That wasn’t perfection.”

She acknowledged that Chandler’s choreography was among the most technically demanding of the night, along with Olympian Ilona Maher’s intricate tango, which Inaba scored an 8, but her lower marks compared to her fellow judges left many viewers fuming.

Despite the criticism, Inaba continues to see her position as bigger than just handing out scores.

“What’s great about the panel, and always has been, is that we can have different opinions and yet still be comrades and friends,” she reflected. “We’re still doing it together.”

She currently sits on the "Dancing With the Stars" judging panel alongside Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.