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Carrie Ann Inaba to miss 'Dancing with the Stars' season 34 premiere due to illness

2:25
Inside the new season of 'Dancing with the Stars'
Eric Mccandless/Disney
ByMary Pat Thompson and Angeline Jane Bernabe
September 16, 2025, 7:45 PM

Carrie Ann Inaba will miss the "Dancing with the Stars" premiere.

The longtime judge will be absent from the ballroom for the season 34 premiere of the dancing competition series due to illness. Inaba made the announcement Tuesday on social media.

“I wanted to share that I will not be at the show tonight as I am feeling quite under the weather. I’m resting up and can’t wait to be back next week in good health,” Inaba wrote. “In the meantime, I wish all the contestants the very best of luck. I’ll be cheering you on from home.”

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Inaba ended her post by writing, "Have a great show everyone!"

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ABC Audio has learned there will be no replacement judge taking Inaba's place this week. This means that judges Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough will be the only members of the panel that the season 34 contestants will hear feedback from on premiere night.

Inaba is set to return to the show for the second episode of the season, which airs live on Sept. 23.

PHOTO: CARRIE ANN INABA
In the season's penultimate episode, each of the five couples will take the stage to showcase two all-new performances as they fight for a spot in the finale.
Eric Mccandless/Disney

In response, her "Dancing with the Stars" family shared get well messages.

Hough shared heart emojis while co-host Julianne Hough wrote, "Get better soon sis ❤️‍🩹"

"Dancing with the Stars" pro Britt Stewart also wrote, "Hope you feel better Carrie Ann! ❤️❤️"

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Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli during the finale of "Dancing with the Stars" season 33.
Eric Mccandless/Disney

Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are returning to host "Dancing with the Stars" for its milestone 20th anniversary. Among this season's contestants are "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" stars Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt; Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui; Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles; influencer Alix Earle; "The Traitors" winner Dylan Efron; and "Boy Meets World" star Danielle Fishel.

The premiere airs live at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.

Disney is the parent company of ABC and ABC News.

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