Carrie Ann Inaba Fires Back at DWTS Haters After Whitney’s First 10s — “Keyboard Warriors Don’t Get a Vote!”

Carrie Ann Inaba Fires Back at DWTS Haters After Whitney’s First 10s — “Keyboard Warriors Don’t Get a Vote!”

JUDGEMENT DAY DRAMA

LOS ANGELES, CA – The ballroom is still buzzing, and the drama isn’t about the dazzling Quickstep. Following the electrifying “Wicked Night” on Dancing with the Stars Season 34, which saw celebrity Whitney Leavitt and professional partner Mark Ballas soar to the top of the leaderboard with the season’s inaugural set of 10s, a fierce debate has erupted among fans—a debate DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba has now brutally waded into.

Leavitt and Ballas, performing a high-energy Quickstep to “Popular” from the iconic musical Wicked, received three perfect scores—from Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and guest judge Jon M. Chu—with only Derek Hough holding out with a 9, resulting in a near-perfect score of 39/40. The routine, hailed by judges for its advanced technicality and infectious charisma, was a stunning redemption for Leavitt after a tearful performance the previous week.

But while the judges were effusive, a significant pocket of the show’s famously passionate fanbase took to social media to cry foul. Many argued that other couples—notably, Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, who also received 10s and tied Leavitt and Ballas for the second-highest score of the night, and Robert Irwin and Witney Carson—were equally, if not more, deserving of the coveted perfect scores.

The online outrage focused heavily on what some perceived as inconsistent scoring, particularly from veteran judge Carrie Ann Inaba, leading to a torrent of harsh comments directed at the judging panel.

INABA FIRES BACK: ‘WE ARE THE PROFESSIONALS’

Never one to shy away from confrontation, Inaba—who has faced fan backlash over her scoring decisions throughout the season—has clapped back in a dramatic, no-holds-barred defence of the judging process, effectively telling the ‘keyboard warriors’ to back off.

In a scathing rebuke aimed squarely at the online critics, Inaba insisted that the judges’ decision to award Whitney and Mark the first three 10s was not only justified but rooted in professional expertise that couch-side commentators simply lack.

“People sitting on their couch are questioning the professionals… it’s hilarious!” Inaba reportedly exclaimed, addressing the immediate backlash.

Her defence was twofold: validating the technical merit of the routine and chastising the ‘haters’ for thinking they know better than the experts.

“’100% yes, their dance was technically challenging and was an improvement from last week which is what the judges are looking for,” Inaba stated emphatically, confirming that the judges are always looking for a clear trajectory of growth in the competition. She acknowledged the talent of the other couples, but refused to let their performances diminish Leavitt and Ballas’ achievement.

“Do I believe other dancers should have also got a 10? Possibly, but it doesn’t take away from Whitney and Mark crushing it,” she added.

Then came the fiery ultimatum to the online mob: “Don’t teach us how to judge, how to score. We are the ones with the capacity, not those who only hide behind a screen, commenting and criticising.”

THE HEART OF THE CONTROVERSY

The root of the enduring DWTS scoring controversy often lies in the delicate balance between technical perfection and show-stopping performance quality. Leavitt and Ballas’ Quickstep was undeniably challenging, executed at lightning speed, with Ballas—a fan favourite pro—packing the routine with intricate steps and high-difficulty content.

Fellow judge Bruno Tonioli called the performance “insanely good,” describing it as “Galinda gone ballistic,” while Guest Judge Jon M. Chu praised it as “the perfect blend of technical prowess and fun and art.”

However, critics online pointed to the near-perfect scores achieved by Jordan Chiles for her emotional and technically flawless Rumba, and Robert Irwin’s sophisticated Jazz routine, arguing that their consistency or prior season performance should have put them ahead of the curve.

The frustration among fans speaks to a perennial issue in reality TV judging: the public craves transparency, but the judges—all seasoned professionals in the dance world—are bound by criteria that often go beyond what the average viewer can spot. Inaba’s fiery response makes it clear that she and her colleagues are standing firm on their professional judgment, regardless of the noise from social media.

As the competition heats up and the Mirrorball Trophy looms, one thing is certain: the DWTS judges won’t be changing their minds, and the online debate is only just beginning.