Carrie Ann Inaba is gracefully dancing her way toward recovery. The beloved judge of *Dancing With the Stars* revealed that she would be missing the season 34 premiere due to an undisclosed illness. "I wanted to share that I won’t be at the show tonight because I’m feeling quite under the weather," Carrie penned in an Instagram post on September 16. "I’m resting up and can’t wait to return next week in full health."
Though she won’t be sharing the judging panel with her fellow stars, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli, for the season’s opening night, the 57-year-old icon isn’t letting her absence dampen her enthusiasm for the contestants. This season’s lineup includes celebrity competitors like Alix Earle, Corey Feldman, Robert Irwin, and Dylan Efron. "In the meantime, I wish all the contestants the very best of luck," Carrie expressed warmly. "I’ll be cheering you on from home."
The reality TV veteran, who has been a fixture on *Dancing With the Stars* since 2005, isn’t the only familiar face sitting out this premiere. Last month, it was announced that Sasha Farber—who first dazzled audiences as a pro dancer in 2013 alongside Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and most recently competed on season 33 with *The Bachelorette*’s Jenn Tran—would not be returning to the dance floor this season.
However, the 41-year-old isn’t stepping away entirely. In fact, ABC confirmed just a day before the season 34 debut that Sasha would be offering fans an exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpse into premiere day. “Ready for more behind the scenes?” the network teased in a September 15 Instagram post for *Dancing With the Stars*. “We’re going LIVE on TikTok with @sashafarber1 TOMORROW to celebrate the #DWTS Premiere!”
Sasha himself is brimming with excitement over this new role. As he commented beneath the announcement, “Can’t wait to showwwwww you guys around the ballroom and take you backstage!!!!!!!!!”
