Carrie Ann Inaba drew attention after narrowly avoiding a wardrobe malfunction during her return to Dancing With the Stars. The longtime judge, who missed the season 34 premiere due to illness, appeared on the September 23 broadcast in a silver gown and nearly had a slip while giving feedback to contestants, creating an unexpected live TV moment.
Carrie Ann Inaba risks wardrobe malfunction on Live TV
Carrie Ann Inaba returned to Dancing With the Stars on September 23, 2025, after missing the season 34 premiere. The 57-year-old judge was welcomed back with a jive by Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy to Lou Bega’s “Mambo No. 5,” which earned 21 points. “Thank you for making that my first dance, because that was incredible! You blew me away … You are such a great performer, you’re fun and there’s a freshness to you,” Inaba said during the broadcast.
Later in the evening, Inaba’s enthusiasm nearly caused a wardrobe malfunction while she critiqued Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas’ cha-cha to Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music.” “Last week you just lit up this ballroom, you just set this competition on fire. And this week, you have done the same,” she told Leavitt. Standing to demonstrate, Inaba twirled her head and mimicked engine noises, which caused her low-cut silver dress to shift. She ended her remarks by saying, “Oh, hi b**b pad!” as the camera moved away.
Inaba had announced on Instagram just hours before the September 16 premiere that she was “feeling quite under the weather” and would not attend the first episode. “I’m resting up and can’t wait to be back next week in good health,” she wrote, adding, “I wish all the contestants the very best of luck. I’ll be cheering you on from home.” During her absence, cohosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro explained to viewers that she was sick, while judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli adjusted the scoring system to a 20-point scale.
Inaba, who has served as a judge since the show’s 2005 debut, praised the cast the following day. “Bravo to the whole cast and crew of @dancingwiththestars. That was an incredible premiere episode!” she wrote on Instagram Stories, also thanking fans for their support.
Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
