The latest episode of Dancing with the Stars has sparked a wave of criticism toward longtime judge Carrie Ann Inaba, after her controversial comments and “unfair” score for Robert Irwin and Witney Carson’s emotional performance.
During the show’s heartfelt Dedication Night, Robert Irwin performed a touching contemporary dance in honor of his mother, Terri Irwin, to Phil Collins’ classic “You’ll Be in My Heart.” The performance deeply moved both the live audience and fellow judges — except for Carrie Ann.
While Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli praised Robert for his emotional storytelling and graceful movement, both awarding 9s, Carrie Ann criticized the young conservationist for focusing “too much on emotion and not enough on technical precision,” giving him only an 8.
Her remarks quickly drew strong criticism from fans, who took to social media to express outrage at what they saw as an insensitive and unbalanced evaluation. Many described her feedback as “heartless,” “unfair,” and “out of touch.”
One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“Robert danced straight from the heart, and Carrie Ann just tore him down for it. Totally unfair.”
Another added:
“She completely missed the point — that dance wasn’t just about steps, it was a story of love and loss.”
The online backlash continued to grow, with hashtags like #JusticeForRobert trending shortly after the episode aired. Many viewers even called for changes to the judging panel, saying the show needs “fresh and more empathetic voices.”
Despite the controversy, Robert and Witney’s performance remains one of the most touching and unforgettable moments of the season, especially when Terri Irwin joined her son on stage for a tearful embrace at the end of the dance.