A 1967 song written as a tribute to singer Marianne Faithfull, though the name was changed to "Carrie Anne" to maintain some distance from the real-life subject [26].
Beyond the glitter of the ballroom, Inaba has faced significant health challenges. She has been remarkably transparent about her journey with Sjogren’s disease , an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic pain, extreme fatigue, and severe dryness in the eyes and mouth [3, 19]. In April 2026, she shared a harrowing experience of a mid-flight medical emergency that resulted in hospitalization [12, 18]. By documenting these struggles on social media, she has shifted her public platform toward "energy management" and advocacy, providing hope to millions who suffer from similar undiagnosed or invisible conditions [13, 15]. carrie ann
Inaba first gained national attention as a "Fly Girl" on the sketch comedy series In Living Color . This foundation in high-energy, versatile dance led her to become a top-tier choreographer for shows like American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance [16]. On Dancing With the Stars , she earned a reputation as a meticulous and sometimes polarizing judge. She is famously known for her "no-lift" rule, strictly penalizing couples for even minor infractions to preserve the integrity of ballroom dance [36]. Despite occasional boos from live audiences for her tough critiques, she remains a cornerstone of the judging panel alongside Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough [17, 34]. A 1967 song written as a tribute to