Carrie Ann Inaba Returns to DWTS Panel, Wardrobe Moment Highlights Show’s Return

Dancing With the Stars returned Tuesday with Carrie Ann Inaba back on the judges’ panel after she announced she was sick and would miss last week’s Season 34 premiere.

During Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas’s cha-cha to Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry, Inaba, wearing a low-cut silver dress, rose from her seat to applaud and began mimicking the energy of the performance, telling Leavitt she was “like an engine.” As she roared along with the crowd, her dress slid, prompting a playful aside as she quipped, “Oh, hi, boob pad!” The moment drew a mix of laughs and surprised gasps from the audience and viewers alike as Inaba continued to cheer on the pair.

Inaba had announced on Instagram the previous week that she would be out because she was feeling under the weather and would return “next week in good health.” Her message read, in part: “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 that she would be cheering on the contestants from home in the meantime.

Followers and colleagues offered well-wishes in the comments, with Julianne Hough replying, “Get better soon sis ❤️‍🩹,” and Season 34 contestant Hilaria Baldwin echoing, “Feel better ❤️.” A Page Six source noted there would be no replacement for Inaba that night, leaving Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough to judge the performances alongside her absence.

The return marked a notable moment for the show, which continued with the remaining panel members and the night’s lineup of performances. Inaba’s enthusiastic presence has long been a hallmark of the DWTS judging table, and Tuesday’s moment underscored how the live format can create unscripted, memorable exchanges even amid high-stakes competition.

As the episode progressed, Leavitt and Ballas’s cha-cha continued to attract praise from other judges and viewers, and Inaba’s debut back on the panel provided a reminder of the show’s behind-the-scenes dynamics. With Season 34 moving forward, the DWTS team balanced entertainment with the constraints of live television, including illnesses and other unforeseen absences, while fans looked ahead to upcoming performances and eliminations.

This episode’s wardrobe moment, while unexpected, was contained within the lighthearted tone often seen in DWTS broadcasts, where high-energy performances are paired with playful banter from judges. Inaba’s return was greeted with a mix of relief from fans and a continued sense of drama that has characterized the franchise since its early seasons. The show’s producers have not announced changes to the judging lineup beyond Inaba’s absence, and Tuesday’s broadcast reaffirmed that balance between competition and camaraderie that defines DWTS.