Long-time DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba has come under fire this season for her scoring. Some fans have accused her of playing favorites. She received support from an unexpected source: a Season 34 guest judge came to her defense.

Guest Judge Comes To Carrie Ann Inaba’s Defense

Carrie Ann Inaba sat out the Season 34 premiere of DWTS due to an illness. But she came back the next week ready for business. Her scoring this season has come under fire from viewers who claim she’s been playing favorites. Fans believe Carrie Ann has been over-scoring Dylan Efron at Robert Irwin’s expense.

She received support from a very unlikely source. Carrie Ann Inaba has been on DWTS since the very beginning. A former pro – and this week’s guest judge – jumped to defend her from critics.
Carrie Ann Inaba Instagram
Cheryl Burke makes an unexpected return to the Los Angeles, California, ballroom as a guest judge for Halloween Night. She left the show in 2022 after competing as a pro for twenty-six seasons. Her departure wasn’t on the best terms, but it seems to be water under the bridge now.

She opened up to Variety about her Season 34 return. The three-time Mirrorball Trophy champion spoke up in Carrie Ann Inaba’s defense. “I agree that they go hard on her vs. 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,” the former pro said.

She said that she’s also experienced unfair backlash. “I’m outspoken about something vs. somebody who is a man, I do see the difference.”

Cheryl Burke added, “At the end of the day, this is her job, and she’s doing her job, and she’s doing it well.” But some fans think it’s time for a major change to the DWTS judging panel.
Cheryl Burke from The Kelly Clarkson Show, sourced from YouTube

Former Pro Opens Up About Surprising Return To DWTS

After leaving DWTS following Season 31, Cheryl Burke was critical of her time on the show. She wasn’t invited to celebrate late judge Len Goodman during a special episode in 2023. The long-time judge passed away in 2020. Derek Hough replaced him on the judging panel.

“Sometimes it feels like it was yesterday, but sometimes it feels like it was such a long time ago since I’ve been back. It’s so special, and it’s going to be so emotional. I am really excited to see everybody,” Cheryl Burke told Variety about her unexpected return.

Some viewers may be surprised by her shocking physical transformation. The professional dancer dropped about thirty pounds, but claims she didn’t use Ozempic or have plastic surgery. Fans don’t buy it.
Cheryl Burke/Credit: Instagram
Looks aside, what can viewers expect from Cheryl Burke’s guest judging? “I’m looking for authenticity between the two people dancing with one another, authenticity to the style of dance that was assigned,” she said. She plans to be critical but supportive in her scores and feedback.

Let us know in the comments if you agree with her that Carrie Ann Inaba is treated differently by fans compared to the two male judges.