Burke Returns Amid Inaba Scoring Backlash

Carrie Ann Inaba, a Dancing With the Stars judge, has faced fan criticism for her scoring this season and posted a TikTok lip-syncing to Taylor Swift’s “Actually Romantic” defending her approach and urging viewers to vote for what they love. Inaba’s critiques included telling contestant Danielle Fishel to add more variety, prompting partner Pasha Pashkov to call the comments unfair, though Fishel used the feedback to deliver a standout Argentine Tango on Wicked-themed night. Tensions have flared on the judging panel — Inaba notably clashed with Derek Hough over critiques of Jordan Chiles’s Wicked-night rumba, highlighting differing priorities such as variety versus emotion. Veteran pro Cheryl Burke will return as a guest judge for the Oct. 28 Halloween episode and said fans tend to be harder on Inaba, warning that social-media attacks often target things outside pros’ control as she discussed her emotional return and the show’s renewed popularity. Viewers have also been confused by technicalities like locked-in scores, and intense online commentary combined with surging engagement have heightened scrutiny of judges’ decisions.