What Carrie Ann Inaba said about Dedication Night (October 14, 2025)
On October 17, 2025, Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba addressed fan criticism of her Dedication Night scoring from October 14, 2025. Replying to a comment on her October 15 Instagram post, the 57‑year‑old wrote: “It’s okay to disagree about what we see. That’s what makes our show great. You have a say in the matter. We want you to vote for what you love and believe in. I appreciate your comment and the way you expressed your feelings. Thank you for your passion and your opinion.”
The fan had written, “You giving Robert [Irwin] an 8 though. You know he outperformed Dylan [Efron], as much as I love him.” Inaba—who has judged the show since its premiere in 2005—emphasized that disagreement is part of the process and pointed viewers back to the vote.
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Why boos broke out for Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov
During the October 14 broadcast, Inaba reacted to Danielle Fishel and partner Pasha Pashkov’s jive, which featured Fishel’s 98‑year‑old Boy Meets World costar William Daniels—the beloved Mr. Feeny. “I love a throwback, but I have to say this,” Inaba said. “Some of your dances are starting to feel like I’m watching the same dance over and over again.”
As the studio audience booed, she continued, “Try to give a little bit more variety as far as dynamics. This is also on you, Pasha.”
Afterward, Pasha Pashkov called that assessment “unfair,” saying in an interview published on October 15: “Especially being that she said that the dances looked similar. The thing is, we did have a quickstep and we had a jive this week. These are two dances that [are] very, very similar.” He added, “If we had dances that were drastically different and they felt the same, I’d understand. But, based on the dances that we had, that did not feel like it made sense to me. In my heart.” Defending his partner, he said she has been working “hard” and added, “I don’t think she deserved that comment.”
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No elimination on an emotional night — and what’s next
Cohost Julianne Hough closed Dedication Night with: “We couldn’t send anyone home tonight on such a special night. All of the scores and all of the votes from tonight will carry over to next week.” The show shifts to Wicked Night next, with couples aiming to “defy gravity” and the judges’ expectations.
Season 34 couples mentioned in this coverage
- Baron Davis — partnered with Britt Stewart
- Jennifer Affleck — partnered with Jan Ravnik
- Alix Earle — partnered with Valentin Chmerkovski
- Dylan Efron — partnered with Daniella Karagach
- Corey Feldman — partnered with Jenna Johnson
- Elaine Hendrix — partnered with Alan Bersten
- Robert Irwin — partnered with Witney Carson
- Jordan Chiles — partnered with Ezra Sosa
- Scott Hoying — partnered with Rylee Arnold
- Whitney Leavitt — partnered with Mark Ballas
- Hilaria Baldwin — partnered with Gleb Savchenko
- Andy Richter — partnered with Emma Slater
- Danielle Fishel — partnered with Pasha Pashkov
How Carrie Ann Inaba’s stance fits DWTS norms
Inaba’s “It’s okay to disagree” reply spotlights a core DWTS tension: judges weigh performance and technique, while viewers reward emotion, growth, and personality. Theme nights amplify that gap. The boos after Fishel and Pashkov’s routine, coupled with Pashkov’s point about the similarity between a jive and a quickstep, show how assigned styles shape what counts as “variety.” With October 14 scores and votes carrying forward, backlash can translate into ballot‑box momentum on Wicked Night.
Conclusion: DWTS, Carrie Ann Inaba, and the debate over scoring
DWTS thrives on competing perspectives. Carrie Ann Inaba spoke directly to fans on October 15 and reiterated that conversation on October 17. Her critique of Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov drew boos in the room; Pasha called it “unfair.” With Wicked Night ahead, the ballroom will show whether voters agree—or disagree—with her scoring.
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