Wed Sep 24 00:30:00 UTC 2025: ## News Article:
**Carrie Ann Inaba Praises “Dancing With the Stars” for Handling Absence with “Respect”**
LOS ANGELES, CA – “Dancing With the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba has expressed her gratitude to the show’s cast and crew for their handling of her unexpected absence from the season 34 premiere. Inaba, 57, was forced to miss the first episode due to an unspecified illness.
During the live broadcast on September 16th, hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough acknowledged Inaba’s absence, sending her well wishes and assuring viewers she was missed. “It’s great to have all of you at home joining us in the ballroom and wonderful to see our judges—well, two of them,” Ribeiro said. “Carrie Ann is under the weather and hopes to be back with us next week.” Hough added, “Get well soon, Carrie Ann. We love you.”
Inaba, who announced her illness on Instagram shortly before the premiere, watched the show from home and praised the episode on her Instagram Story. “Bravo to the whole cast and crew of @dancingwiththestars,” she wrote. “That was an incredible premiere episode! And thank YOU all for the well wishes. I’m touched at all the messages of support I received.” She also thanked the show for the “respectful way” they handled her situation, calling it “a very human situation.” She was also seen with flowers from the ABC network, while home resting.
While Inaba’s absence was noted, the season 34 premiere still kicked off with new pairs such as Hilaria Baldwin partnered with Valentin Chmerkovski and Alix Earle partnered with Daniella Karagach. The season is still going on as well, with Robert Irwin, Dylan Efron, and Corey Feldman.
First Piper 