How DWTS Addressed Carrie Ann Inaba’s Absence on Premiere

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The show must go on—even without Carrie Ann Inaba.

When one of the judges on *Dancing With the Stars* became ill, she couldn’t be at the show’s season 34 premiere on September 16th. Hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough explained her absence to viewers during the live broadcast.

Welcome, everyone! It’s so lovely to have you all here with me in the ballroom. We’re especially thrilled to see our judges… though we’re a little short-handed tonight. Sadly, Carrie Ann isn’t feeling well, but she’s sending her best and hopes to be back with us next week. Let’s make sure we give her our positive energy!

Julianne added, “Get well soon, Carrie Ann. We love you.”

While Carrie was away, judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli kept things going as the celebrity contestants – including Hilaria Baldwin, Jordan Chiles, Dylan Efron, and Danielle Fishel – got ready to perform their first dances of the season with their professional partners.

The choreographer, a judge on *Dancing with the Stars* since the show began in 2005, said she would miss the first episode but planned to be back on the panel soon.

The 57-year-old announced on Instagram on September 16th that they won’t be attending tonight’s show because they aren’t feeling well. They plan to rest and hope to return next week when they’re feeling better.

She finished by wishing all the contestants good luck and said she’d be rooting for them from home.

Besides Carrie’s departure, fans might have also noticed that Sasha Farber wasn’t back as a professional dancer for season 34. However, Sasha – who first appeared on the show in 2013 with Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi – was still part of the premiere, offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look on the show’s TikTok account.

Showing he’s handling the change well, Sasha previously offered his congratulations to this year’s contestants.

I’m absolutely thrilled about the new cast and celebrity guests we have lined up! I truly believe this season is going to be incredible, and I’m so thankful for all the amazing support and love from our fans. It means the world!

Keep reading for some behind-the-scenes secrets you may not have known about Dancing With the Stars…

In 2019, *Variety* reported that contestants on *Dancing With the Stars* initially earn $125,000 for rehearsals and the first two weeks of the show. According to sources, they receive additional payments each week if they continue on the show, potentially earning up to $295,000 total (though ABC hasn’t officially confirmed these amounts).

Details about how much the professional dancers earn aren’t widely available. However, like the celebrity contestants, it appears they make more money the further they progress in the competition.

Even if a pro dancer is eliminated early on, they still receive payment.

“They’re guaranteed a certain amount of weeks,” Jenna Johnson explained on the June 2025 episode of Kelly Stafford and Hank Winchester’s podcast, *The Morning After*. “But contracts vary, so I can’t speak for everyone.”

It seems professional dancers on *Dancing with the Stars* don’t earn extra money for winning the show, despite what many might think. While winning the Mirrorball Trophy (now named after Len Goodman) is a great achievement, the real financial benefit comes from making it to the finale. As pro dancer Cheryl Burke explained on *The Morning After*, getting to the end of the season means a full season’s salary *plus* a bonus. Winning doesn’t come with a large cash prize to split with their celebrity partner – it’s more about the trophy and the experience.

That doesn’t seem to be true. In a 2022 episode of Jason Tartick’s podcast, *Trading Secrets*, Lindsay Arnold shared that her pay was reduced by more than half when she moved from a professional dancer to a troupe member.

Professional dancers have very little say in who they’re paired with on *Dancing With the Stars*. Lindsay explained on the *Hot Smart Rich* podcast that pairings are simply assigned, with dancers expected to make it work. Jenna added on *The Morning After* that the pairings are usually kept secret until the last minute to capture a genuine reaction. Dancers don’t even know who their partner will be, and the show tries to prevent leaks of the cast list. According to former showrunner Rob Wade, the team considers height, body type, personality, and compatibility when making matches. They avoid pairing people who are likely to clash, as the experience is too intense for everyone involved. Unlike shows like *The Bachelor*, the goal isn’t drama; they want a positive experience for the celebrity, the viewers, and themselves, and have learned from past mistakes when pairings didn’t work out.

Dancing with the Stars requires a huge time commitment. Rylee Arnold, who danced with Stephen Nedoroscik in season 33, explained on the *Lightweights Podcast With Joe Vulpis* that rehearsals are four hours long, typically from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., or 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. But the work doesn’t end there; she often spends additional time meeting with producers, working on choreography, or reviewing dance videos. Rylee says she dedicates her whole life to the show, but loves it and is happy doing it. It’s a demanding schedule with rehearsals happening Tuesday through Sunday, camera blocking on Monday, and then another show on Tuesday.

Emma Slater and Britt Stewart shared in a September 2025 Instagram video that they were mostly on board with something, but it involved working with the show’s producers.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always amazed by the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes of shows like ‘Dancing with the Stars’! People often focus on the dancing, but let me tell you, the costume department is operating at warp speed! Designer Daniela Gschwendtner explained they basically create a whole story with each outfit, collaborating with everyone from the set designers to the dancers themselves. Then, they have just *five days* – yes, you read that right – to create all the costumes. That’s half a day per piece, and that doesn’t even include adding all the sparkle! They have a huge team of around 20 people, plus an external tailor shop, working tirelessly. It’s a massive operation! Interestingly, Steven Norman Lee shared that dancers often don’t even try on their costumes until just hours before they hit the dance floor. While they might re-use pieces for group numbers or promotional shoots, everything for the competition is generally custom-made each week. Daniela added that keeping things fresh and new is key to maintaining the excitement for both the dancers and the viewers, so they rarely repeat outfits unless absolutely necessary. It’s a whirlwind of creativity and craftsmanship, all happening at an unbelievable pace!

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2025-09-17 03:17