Carrie Ann Inaba nearly suffers wardrobe malfunction on DWTS return

Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba returned to the judges' table on Tuesday night, but a wardrobe moment nearly upstaged the evening as her low-cut silver dress slid while she reacted to a cha-cha by Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas set to "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry.

Inaba, 57, had missed last week's Season 34 premiere because she was sick, but she was back on Tuesday and was clearly energized by the performance. After Leavitt and Ballas danced to the cha-cha to "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry, Inaba proclaimed that the duo "just set this competition on fire." As she stood up, twirled her head and teased that Leavitt was 'like an engine,' her dress slid lower, prompting a playful quip: "Oh, hi, boob pad!"

Inaba had announced last Tuesday—hours before the season premiere—that she would not be on set that night because she was feeling under the weather. In a post on Instagram, she wrote, "I am feeling quite under the weather. I’m resting up and can’t wait to be back next week in good health." She added, "I wish all the contestants the very best of luck. I’ll be cheering you on from home."

No replacement was planned for Inaba that night, a source told Page Six, leaving Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough to judge the performances solo. The absence was acknowledged by on-air teammates; co-host Julianne Hough commented, "Get better soon sis ❤️‍🩹," and Season 34 contestant Hilaria Baldwin joined with similar sentiments, "Feel better ❤️." DWTS fans watched the live performance and continued to react on social media, with many speculating about whether Inaba would return the following week.

Inaba's return to the panel on Tuesday night was a reminder of the show's rotating dynamics as Season 34 unfolds. The episode underscored the ongoing balance among judges as the competition continues.