Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba is breaking her silence on the lift drama!
Carrie Ann addressed her controversial lift-rule comments, her uncomfortable moment with Jenna Johnson, and why she believes the show needs to rethink its rules moving forward in an Instagram comment.
After facing backlash over her critiques of Jenna’s lifts, Carrie Ann explained that professional courtesy prevented her from speaking publicly while the competition was ongoing. However, she wanted to clarify that there was more to the story than the headlines suggested.
Carrie Ann revealed that she and Jenna “hugged it out” after the Super Bowl episode, praising the professional dancer for how she handled the situation. She also acknowledged that Jenna was deeply hurt by the exchange and said she offered to speak with her about what happened.
The judge additionally offered to discuss the lift rule and how she enforces it, pointing to former DWTS pro Sharna Burgess’ video explaining which dances allow lifts and assists.
Carrie Ann has faced criticism for years over her enforcement of the rule, with some viewers questioning whether she consistently deducts points for lifts across different couples.
Now, she wants the show to make some changes.
Carrie Ann suggested holding a meeting with the judges and professional dancers before next season to revisit the history and purpose of the lift rule. She explained that the rule was originally established with safety and fairness in mind, but the show has evolved significantly since then.
Comment about Carrie Ann’s statement about Jenna and the lift rule below.
