Carrie Ann Inaba is addressing criticism surrounding Dancing With the Stars Season 35. The judge responded after fans questioned the competition’s fairness and defended their opinions online. The controversy has also intensified discussions about Guillermo Rodriguez and the judges’ scoring.
Carrie Ann Inaba addresses favoritism complaints surrounding Guillermo Rodriguez on DWTS
On Thursday, October 8, Inaba responded to a fan’s post on Threads. The viewer said they had been called an “online bully” for criticizing Rodriguez’s progress. They questioned why the comedian had advanced beyond contestants they believed deserved to remain.
Inaba supported the fan while acknowledging the passionate DWTS community. “Sorry that’s happening, but welcome to the dwts social media fandom,” she wrote. She added, “Truth does not equal bullying.”
The judge also addressed accusations of DWTS favoritism surrounding the show’s scoring decisions. “Just like a lower score doesn’t mean someone else is a ‘favorite,’” Inaba explained. She suggested that viewers sometimes interpret criticism of performances as personal attacks against celebrities.
“There is an interesting phenomenon where fans of some stars take offense to anything that isn’t what they want to hear or believe,” she continued. Inaba explained that judges evaluate performances rather than attack the people behind them. Her response came amid growing DWTS fan backlash over Rodriguez’s advancement.
Earlier that week, Inaba faced loud boos after commenting on Rodriguez’s samba with professional partner Witney Carson. She suggested the comedian had lost some of his “joy.” Her remarks further fueled conversations about the DWTS judges and their assessments.
She also emphasized the importance of fairness when responding to opposing opinions. “I want people to be able to have their opinion, just like I have my opinion,” she explained. Inaba added that she sometimes engages with criticism to understand different perspectives.
The judge has also described the competition as a collaborative effort involving viewers. Their votes help determine which celebrities advance throughout the season. Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
