Tue Sep 16 21:40:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Carrie Ann Inaba will miss the season premiere of Dancing With the Stars Season 34 due to illness, leaving Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough as the only judges for the first show. Inaba is expected to return next week. Longtime pro dancer Sasha Farber is also absent from the season, which he addressed vaguely in an Instagram Story.

**News Article:**

**Carrie Ann Inaba Out Sick for ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season Premiere, Longtime Pro Sasha Farber Absent**

LOS ANGELES, CA – “Dancing With the Stars” will premiere its 34th season tonight with a noticeable change to the judging panel. Carrie Ann Inaba, a staple of the show since its inception, announced on Instagram that she will be missing the season opener due to illness.

“I wanted to share that I will not be at the show tonight as I am feeling quite under the weather,” Inaba stated. She assured fans she is resting and aims to return in good health next week, cheering on the new contestants, including ’80s icon Corey Feldman, “Boy Meets World” actress Danielle Fishel, and Olympian gymnast Jordan Chiles, from home.

With Inaba’s absence, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough will be the sole judges for tonight’s premiere. No one is expected to fill in for Inaba during her absence.

Inaba isn’t the only familiar face missing this season. Longtime professional dancer Sasha Farber has also been left out of the season’s lineup. After the celebrity-pro pairings were announced, Farber addressed his omission in an Instagram Story, thanking fans for their support and vaguely commenting, “I know who you’re not going to vote for, that’s me. But, that’s OK.” He didn’t elaborate on the reason for his absence.

“Dancing With the Stars” Season 34 premieres tonight, September 16th, on ABC. Fans are eager to see how the new season unfolds with these unexpected absences.

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