Maintaining Impartiality on the Dance Floor

For longtime Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba, the thrill of the show’s casting process is best experienced alongside the audience. While many might expect a judge to have inside information, Inaba, 58, notes that she typically discovers the season’s lineup through social media platforms.

«I never know, I find out via social media,» Inaba shared. While she admitted that she used to be curious about the participants early on, she eventually realized that ignorance is a professional advantage.

She emphasized that her lack of foreknowledge helps her maintain objectivity during the competition:

«I think the less I know about the person, the better it is for me as a judge. Because I really just want to judge what’s happening in front of us. It would be difficult if I was friends with everybody.»

Inaba also noted that she intentionally keeps her distance from contestants to ensure the competition remains fair for everyone, regardless of their background or previous fame.


Early Impressions of the New Cast

Several names have already been confirmed for the upcoming season, including Guillermo Rodriguez, Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, and Jackson Olson. Inaba expressed particular enthusiasm for some of the new arrivals:

  • Guillermo Rodriguez: Inaba believes the talk show sidekick will quickly capture the audience's affection.
  • Maura Higgins: The judge is impressed by Higgins' innate sense of timing, noting, «I think she’s going to be really, she’s got this timing to her. She’s almost like a comedian with her timing.»

As for her dream contestant, Inaba mentioned comedian Bowen Yang as someone she would love to see join the ballroom, citing his musical theater background as a major asset.


Advocacy Amidst Competition

Beyond her work on the judge's panel, Inaba is currently using her platform to raise awareness for Sjögren’s disease. Partnering with Novartis for the «Sjöut for Sjögren’s» campaign, she hopes to support others who are balancing professional careers with chronic health struggles.

«I think a lot of people who deal with something like Sjögren’s disease and are battling chronic illness go through these moments where you wonder if you can keep going, if you can keep your job,» Inaba explained. «That’s why it’s so important to have conversations like this about it.»