Returning DWTS Pro Defends Carrie Ann Inaba Against Scoring Backlash

Cheryl Burke think some “Dancing with the Stars” fans are unfairly harsh against Carrie Ann Inaba.

The former Fly Girl has been on the judges’ panel of the ABC ballroom competition since its debut in 2005.  In addition to Inaba, the current panel includes fellow OG Bruno Tonioli, as well as six-time mirrorball champion Derek Hough. But Burke thinks Inaba gets the brunt of the criticism from fans for her scoring.

In an October 2025 interview with Variety, Burke, 41, said. “I agree that they go hard on her versus the two men sitting there. And I think that’s always been the case, and she has openly talked about it, how it’s harder for her.”

Burke, who is set to return to the DWTS ballroom as a guest judge for Halloween Night three years after exiting the show as a pro dancer, added, “I’ve experienced it, but in a different way; I’m outspoken about something vs. somebody who is a man, I do see the difference. But you don’t do it for the outside reaction. At the end of the day, this is her job, and she’s doing her job, and she’s doing it well.”

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Carrie Ann Inaba Has Been Criticized for Her Scoring This Season on DWTS

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For Season 34, fans have accused Inaba of favoring certain contestants—and being unfairly critical of others.

In response to an Instagram commenter who claimed about her scores, Inaba wrote, “It’s okay to disagree about what we see. That’s what makes our show great. You have a say in the matter. We want you to vote for what you love and believe in. I appreciate your comment and the way you expressed your feelings. Thank you for your passion and your opinion.”

But some of the pro dancers haven’t always appreciated Inaba’s comments. Pro dancer Pasha Pashkov took issue with Inaba’s critique of a dance he choreographed for his celebrity partner, Danielle Fishel. After Inaba claimed that the duo’s routines felt like she was “watching the same dance over and over again,” she was booed by the audience. Pashkov later told Variety that he was “not happy” with Inaba’s comments.

“For me, that comment felt unfair, especially being that she said that the dances looked similar,” he said. “The thing is, we did have a quickstep and we had a jive this week. These are two dances that very, very similar. … Based on the dances that we had, that did not feel like it made sense to me. In my heart, I’m overprotective because I know how hard Danielle is working. I don’t think she deserved that comment.”

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Cheryl Burke Suggested the DWTS Judges Should Take an Exam

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In the past, Burke has said all of the DWTS judges could use a refresher course in ballroom rules. In an episode of her Sex, Lies and Spray Tans podcast, Burke said the judges “have to be able to back up whatever they say” in regards to true ballroom dance.

She added that the current DWTS judges are “not experts in the niche of ballroom dancing” and could be required to “continue to educate themselves on their craft” just as the pro dancers do.

“I also think Derek should take his adjudicator’s exam,” Burke said, referencing The National Dance Council of America exams that are required for judges in national dance competitions. “Carrie Ann should do it… so should Bruno. I think that’s important, and why wouldn’t you wanna do that? After all these years, if you weren’t as familiar with the genre, why don’t you familiarize yourself with it?“ she added.

For her first go-around as a DWTS judge, Burke told Variety she hopes to be “empowering and encouraging.”

“But of course, I’m going to be constructive,” she added. “Ultimately, I want to help these people. Yes, we’re going to compliment them if they did a great job. But I think for me, I really want to get into the technical aspect of things, regardless of the theme. I’m looking for authenticity between the two people dancing with one another, authenticity to the style of dance that was assigned.”