Carrie Ann Inaba Acknowledges Being ‘Harder’ on Female ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Contestants

LOS ANGELES — “Dancing with the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba has confirmed a long-standing fan theory, admitting in a new interview that she is often more critical of the female contestants on the popular competition show.

Speaking with Variety, Inaba addressed the perception that she judges women more harshly than men, stating, “I think that it is partly true.” The veteran judge and former dancer explained that her approach stems from her perspective as the sole woman on the panel.

“I am the woman on the panel, and I understand what it is to be a woman, so I can get into more detail about what I’m seeing,” she said. “When I speak woman to woman, I’m maybe a bit more frank. Maybe because I feel like women are tougher than men in some ways.”

Inaba, who has been a judge on the show since its debut in 2005, clarified that her intention is not to be unfair but to push female competitors to achieve their full potential. “I support women so much, I let them know what I see because they are working so hard,” she explained. “I don’t want them to walk away with regret.”

Her candid critiques, however, have often led to negative reactions from the studio audience and online viewers. Inaba opened up about the personal toll of the backlash, which has included being booed for her scores and receiving “cruel” messages on social media.

“Sometimes the things they say are cruel, and that has affected me. It’s made me scared,” she confessed, adding that the “online hate and vitriol” can cause her to “shrink down a little” as the season progresses.

Inaba also pointed out what she sees as an irony in the criticism. “In general, I think people are tougher on women,” she noted. “And what’s funny is they’re accusing me of being tougher on women while they’re being tougher on a woman.”

After nearly two decades on the show, Inaba said she has developed a way to cope with the negativity by remaining authentic. “I’m very true to myself,” she concluded. “When you’re true to yourself, it doesn’t matter as much what everybody else is saying about you.”