Dancing With the Stars Judge Carrie Ann Inaba Responds to Scoring Criticism with Taylor Swift Reference

Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba has addressed criticism over her scoring decisions during Season 34 by posting a TikTok video where she lip-syncs to Taylor Swift's song "Actually Romantic," which fans interpreted as a subtle clapback to detractors. Inaba emphasized that differing opinions on scoring are part of what makes the show engaging, encouraging viewers to vote for what they love and believe in. Co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough clarified the show's scoring process, explaining how judges' scores are locked in immediately after performances regardless of the paddle displayed. Despite some viewers' harsh critiques, professional dancer Pasha Pashkov defended the judges, acknowledging their challenging role. Carrie Ann has also engaged with fans online, maintaining that it is acceptable to disagree on judging decisions. Overall, the judge and her colleagues have sought to maintain transparency and foster fan participation amid ongoing debates about scoring fairness.