Cheryl Burke Defends Carrie Ann Inaba’s ‘DWTS’ Scores

Cheryl Burke, a beloved figure and two-time Mirrorball winner from Dancing With the Stars, has stepped forward to defend long-standing judge Carrie Ann Inaba amidst mounting criticism from fans. Viewers have frequently deemed Inaba’s scores and critiques “too harsh,” leading to significant online backlash. Burke, drawing from her extensive experience in the ballroom, suggests that Inaba faces a unique and heightened level of scrutiny, asserting that “it’s harder for her” than for the male judges on the panel.

Cheryl Burke Returns to the Ballroom

After a notable absence since her departure as a professional dancer at the end of Season 31, Cheryl Burke is set to make a highly anticipated return to the Dancing With the Stars ballroom as a guest judge for the upcoming Halloween Night on October 28, 2025, during Season 34. Burke, who competed for 26 seasons, has often expressed her enduring affection for the show, and her return to the judges’ panel marks a significant moment for both her and loyal fans. Her history as a pro dancer, known for her sharp technical insights, positions her uniquely to comment on the complexities of judging and the pressures faced by the panel.

The Scrutiny on Carrie Ann Inaba’s Judging

Carrie Ann Inaba, who has been a judge since the show’s inception, frequently finds herself at the center of fan criticism regarding her judging style. Audiences often perceive her scores as inconsistent or overly critical, particularly when compared to her male counterparts, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. Social media platforms are often abuzz with discussions, and sometimes accusations, that Inaba exhibits a bias, especially towards female contestants.

Recent instances of fan dissatisfaction include Inaba’s critiques of contestants like Robert Irwin and Danielle Fishel, with some viewers expressing frustration over specific scores they felt were unfair. Pro dancer Pasha Pashkov even publicly disagreed with Inaba’s comment about his routine with Danielle Fishel, feeling it was “unfair” to suggest their dances looked too similar. In response to the wave of criticism, Inaba has addressed the backlash, using social media to convey that “It’s okay to disagree about what we see” and encouraging fans to engage through voting.

Burke’s Defense: A Gendered Challenge

Cheryl Burke’s defense of Carrie Ann Inaba centers on the idea that the female judge faces disproportionate criticism. Burke explicitly stated, “I agree that they go hard on her vs. the two men sitting there. And I think that’s always been the case, and she has openly talked about it, how it’s harder for her.” This sentiment highlights a perceived double standard where female judges are subjected to more intense negative feedback than their male counterparts, despite similar levels of experience and expertise. Inaba herself has acknowledged this, revealing in 2023 that as the “only female judge for most of the seasons, I get a lot more hate than the men do and people doubt what I say… I have to fight harder for my opinion to be honored.”

This perspective resonates with observations from fans and commentators who suggest that women involved in the show, whether contestants or judges, are often held to stricter standards. When male judges offer tough critiques, they might receive some boos, but it rarely escalates to the same level of vitriol and questioning of their credibility that Inaba experiences. This gendered aspect of public perception adds a layer of complexity to Inaba’s role, requiring her to navigate not only the nuances of judging dance but also the intense and often unfair scrutiny that comes with being a prominent female figure in a highly visible competition.

Navigating Online Criticism in the DWTS Landscape

The rise of social media has amplified both praise and criticism for everyone involved with Dancing With the Stars. Burke acknowledges the difficulty for participants, especially new pros like Jan Ravnik, to avoid the constant influx of online opinions. She advises a pragmatic approach: “You have to take it with a grain of salt. You also have to take yourself out of it for a second. In general, just focus on you, because that’s all you can do.”

Beyond defending Inaba, Burke has also offered broader critiques of the judging panel, suggesting that judges, including Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, could benefit from further education in ballroom dance. She has advocated for them to potentially take an “adjudicator’s exam” to enhance their technical knowledge and provide more consistent, evidence-based feedback, emphasizing that one “can’t really be strict in a genre that you’re not an expert in.” This highlights an ongoing conversation within the DWTS community about the balance between entertainment, personality, and technical expertise on the judging panel.

Conclusion

Cheryl Burke’s defense of Carrie Ann Inaba sheds light on the unique challenges faced by a female judge in a high-profile competition like Dancing With the Stars. Her assertion that it is “harder for her” than for the male judges resonates with observations about gendered criticism and the intense scrutiny that Inaba, and other women on the show, often endure. This ongoing discussion underscores the complexities of judging performance, navigating public perception, and the evolving landscape of reality television in the age of social media, where every score and critique is dissected and debated by a passionate global audience.