Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Premieres with Judge Missing Due to Illness

Dancing with the Stars returned for its highly anticipated 34th season on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, but longtime judge Carrie Ann Inaba was notably absent from the ballroom after announcing she was “feeling quite under the weather”.

The premiere episode marked the beginning of the show’s milestone 20th year, featuring a diverse cast of 14 celebrities paired with professional dancers competing for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. The absence of Inaba, who has been with the series for two decades, left only judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli to evaluate the opening performances.

Judge’s Last-Minute Absence Surprises Fans

Just hours before the live broadcast, Inaba took to Instagram to explain her absence, writing: “I wanted to share that I will not be at the show tonight as I am feeling quite under the weather. I’m resting up and can’t wait to be back next week in good health”. The judge expressed support for the contestants, adding she would be “cheering you on from home”.

Fans immediately took to social media expressing concern about the judging panel being reduced to two members. Many questioned whether ABC would bring in a substitute judge, with some pointing to precedent when Derek Hough tested positive for COVID-19 during Season 30’s finale and his sister Julianne stepped in as a replacement.

Star-Studded Cast Takes the Floor

The Season 34 premiere featured a notable lineup including wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, social media influencer Alix Earle, and actress Hilaria Baldwin. Other contestants included Boy Meets World actress Danielle Fishel, NBA All-Star Baron Davis, Fifth Harmony singer Lauren Jauregui, and comedian Andy Richter.

Judge Derek Hough praised the cast ahead of the premiere, calling it “a stacked slate” and noting that “the ladies are really strong from a dance experience”. Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles hinted at incorporating her athletic background, telling reporters there would be “some flips” and “maybe some choreography that I’ve done once before”.

Milestone Season Continues DWTS Legacy

The premiere represents a significant milestone for the long-running competition series, which has maintained its popularity across two decades. Co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returned to guide viewers through the evening’s performances.

The show continues to air simultaneously on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu. Unlike some previous seasons, no elimination occurred during the premiere episode, giving all contestants the opportunity to establish themselves with viewers and judges.

Looking Ahead

With Inaba expected to return next week, the competition will resume with its full three-judge panel evaluating performances. The absence during the premiere means contestants will have their first scores based on evaluations from just two judges, though fans noted this may actually benefit contestants since there would be “only 17% of potential scoring” missing rather than the typical 33% when one judge is absent.

The season promises to deliver the signature mix of entertainment, competition, and celebrity transformation that has kept Dancing with the Stars a fixture in American television for two decades.