Carrie Ann Inaba Offers to Talk With Jenna Johnson After “Dancing with the Stars” Lift Controversy

Carrie Ann Inaba is reaching out to Jenna Johnson after a judging dispute on Dancing with the Stars left the professional dancer hurt, emphasizing that she wants to clear the air and find a constructive way forward.

The disagreement followed the October 13 “Super Bowl Night” episode, when Inaba criticized a lift performed by Johnson and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr. In a series of Instagram comments posted on Sunday, October 25, the longtime judge explained that the two women had already spoken privately after the show and even hugged, but she later learned that Johnson had been deeply affected by the criticism.

Carrie Ann Inaba attends the Televerse Festival on Aug. 14, 2026.Credit :

Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty

Inaba said she remained relatively quiet about the situation out of professional courtesy to those still competing and because the show has standards and practices governing communication between judges and contestants.

“I think it’s important for everyone to know that Jenna and I hugged it out after the Super Bowl show,” Inaba wrote. “Jenna was an absolute professional about it, and two women worked through the moment. It came to my attention later that Jenna was deeply hurt.”

She added that she had offered to speak with Johnson at any time, including to discuss the lift rule and how she applies it.

Inaba Wants Judges and Dancers to Revisit the Lift Rule

Carrie Ann Inaba on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

Disney/Eric McCandless

Beyond resolving the immediate disagreement, Inaba believes Dancing with the Stars should consider reviewing its lift rules ahead of next season.

In a follow-up comment, she proposed bringing the judges and professional dancers together to discuss the rule’s history, purpose and application. She explained that the guidelines were originally shaped by her, the show’s original producers and longtime head judge Len Goodman, with safety and fairness at their core.

However, Inaba noted that the competition has evolved considerably, along with its casting and audience. She believes a conversation involving the people on both sides of the judging process could help create a clearer understanding of what is and is not permitted.

She also praised former professional dancer Sharna Burgess for sharing a video explaining lifts, assists and which dance styles allow them.

The controversy began when Inaba called out a lift during Johnson and Shum’s October 13 routine. She described a lift as a move in which one dancer has both feet off the floor simultaneously with assistance or support from their partner.

For Inaba, the issue is not simply about whether a move looks impressive. She has emphasized that judging requires her to apply the competition’s rules while explaining her perspective to viewers.

Jenna Johnson and Inaba Exchange Supportive Messages

Johnson, 32, responded to Inaba’s latest Instagram comments with three emojis, including hearts. Inaba replied that they were “always okay,” reinforcing her message that she wanted to preserve their professional relationship.

The judge also praised Johnson and Shum’s performance during Dedication Night, describing the dance as particularly meaningful for Asian American viewers and immigrant families.

“I love and respect you while I have to do my job. And think you are doing great with Harry!” Inaba wrote.

She said the performance represented a story told with love and care during turbulent times, describing that kind of artistic representation as an act of courage and activism.

Inaba added that she wished more people understood that the two women had hugged after the earlier show and had left the evening as professionals who were also allowed to have emotions.

“We can be complicated female human beings,” she wrote, describing the situation as a challenging learning opportunity that they were working through with grace.

She then reiterated her offer to talk privately whenever Johnson felt ready.

“In the future if anything I say or do in my role as a judge to speak what I see and feel about your performance on this show hurts you in any way, I am always open and available to listen, discuss and find a peaceful understanding,” Inaba wrote.

She encouraged Johnson to ask the show’s executive producers to arrange a conversation when the timing was appropriate.

Val Chmerkovskiy’s Reaction Led to a Suspension

The disagreement also had consequences for Johnson’s husband, fellow professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy.

Following the October 13 episode, Chmerkovskiy posted a comment on TikTok that has since been deleted. Referring to the controversy, he wrote, “You almost saw the Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”

The remark referenced the 2022 Oscars incident in which Will Smith slapped Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Chmerkovskiy subsequently apologized to Inaba and was suspended from Dancing with the Stars for one episode, missing Dedication Night. He later described his reaction as a “poor decision” and returned to the competition after serving the suspension.

The episode added another layer to a dispute that began with a technical judging decision but extended into the relationships between the show’s judges and professional dancers.

Inaba Defends Her Role as a Judge

Inaba also addressed a commenter who said they hated her on the show, making clear that being liked was not her priority.

“That’s fine to not like me. My job isn’t to be liked,” she wrote. “My job is to judge honestly from my tenured experience and explain when there’s enough time, and then for you to formulate your own opinion … so you can vote and support who you want to win.”

She questioned the idea of directing hatred toward someone simply because of a difference of opinion and encouraged viewers to focus their energy on supporting their favourite contestants through voting.

Inaba has served as a judge on Dancing with the Stars since the series debuted in 2005. She explained that her background in dance, including experience beyond ballroom and Latin styles, allows her to bring a different perspective to the judging panel.

She also stressed that her criticism is intended to help contestants improve rather than undermine them.

Inaba said she had chosen to remain on the panel and speak honestly about what she sees, even when her opinions draw criticism. She wants dancers to understand that she remains open to addressing hurt feelings when the time is right and the show’s executive producers permit such discussions.

Dancing with the Stars airs live on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, with new episodes streaming on Hulu the following day.