Carrie Ann Inaba Fox News coverage is drawing fresh attention after the Dancing with the Stars judge opened up about living with constant pain from Sjögren’s disease. In a new interview, Inaba discussed the daily reality of her autoimmune condition and explained how it affects her life away from television.
The 58-year-old television personality spoke about her health while attending the Television Academy’s Televerse 26 event in Los Angeles. Her comments offered a candid look at a side of her life that viewers rarely see.
Inaba also remains active professionally. She continues to serve as a judge on Dancing with the Stars, which is preparing to return for Season 35 on September 15.
Her latest comments come several months after a medical emergency during a flight to New York. That incident resulted in a hospital visit and brought renewed attention to the health challenges she has managed for years.
Carrie Ann Inaba Opens Up About Life With Sjögren’s Disease
Inaba has become increasingly open about her experience with Sjögren’s disease.
During her latest interview, she described the condition as debilitating and said pain remains part of her everyday life. She also explained that her life away from the cameras looks very different from the glamorous image viewers see on television.
Her comments highlighted an important part of her experience. Inaba may appear energetic and polished while judging performances on television, but she continues to manage symptoms when the cameras are off.
She said managing her energy has become an important part of planning her days. She has also learned that she does not need to take on everything at once.
That change in perspective has helped her balance her health with a demanding career.
Her Health Journey Began Years Before Her Diagnosis
Inaba’s experience with Sjögren’s disease began long before doctors confirmed the condition.
Her early symptoms included severe dry eyes and repeated injuries to her corneas. She initially sought help for those problems before eventually seeing specialists who investigated the possibility of an autoimmune disorder.
After extensive testing, she received a Sjögren’s disease diagnosis in 2013.
The diagnosis came more than a decade after her symptoms first appeared. That long period without a clear answer became an important part of her health story.
Inaba has explained that she also experienced pain in her neck and shoulders. Extreme fatigue became another major problem.
Those symptoms were particularly difficult for someone who had spent much of her life being physically active.
She has described herself as someone who was always ready to move forward and take on new projects. The fatigue made that much harder.
Inaba Says the Condition Goes Beyond Dry Eyes
Sjögren’s disease is often associated with dry eyes and dry mouth, but Inaba has stressed that her experience involves much more.
She has described the condition as systemic and said it has affected different parts of her body.
Pain has been one of her most persistent symptoms. Fatigue has also affected how much she can do during a normal day.
That reality has changed the way she approaches work and personal commitments.
Inaba now pays closer attention to her energy levels. She also tries to plan periods of rest around major events and professional responsibilities.
Her message has remained consistent: people should not dismiss symptoms simply because an illness is not visible.
The Latest Interview Reveals Her Life Away From Television
Inaba’s recent Fox News interview provided a particularly personal look at her routine.
She explained that her life outside the studio is far less glamorous than viewers may imagine. When she is not working, she often focuses on simple activities and spending time with her dogs.
That contrast matters to Inaba because she believes television and social media can create unrealistic impressions of people’s lives.
Her comments were not about hiding her career or avoiding the spotlight. Instead, she wanted to show that public appearances represent only one part of someone’s life.
A person can look healthy on camera while dealing with significant challenges privately.
Inaba believes that understanding this reality can encourage greater compassion.
She Says Sjögren’s Has Changed Her Perspective
Inaba has also found a positive lesson in dealing with a chronic illness.
She believes her experience has made her more empathetic toward other people. That increased understanding has even influenced how she approaches her work as a judge.
The ability to recognize when someone is struggling has become important to her.
On Dancing with the Stars, contestants often face pressure, exhaustion and emotional challenges. Inaba said her own experiences have helped her understand those moments more deeply.
Her health journey has therefore influenced more than her personal routine.
It has also shaped the way she views performers and the challenges they face in front of millions of viewers.
Her April Medical Emergency Added to the Concern
Inaba also experienced a frightening medical emergency earlier this year.
While traveling to New York in April, she suddenly became ill during a flight. She described symptoms that included cold sweats, dizziness and numbness in her arms.
The situation became more concerning when her arms went numb.
Turbulence was also affecting the flight at the time. Flight attendants had been asked to remain seated, which made the situation more difficult.
Inaba eventually decided she needed help.
A flight attendant and a doctor who was traveling on the plane assisted her. After the aircraft landed, paramedics took over and she went to a hospital.
She received fluids and later left the hospital.
Inaba then continued recovering at her hotel. She also expressed gratitude to the people who helped her during the frightening experience.
The Flight Incident Was Especially Frightening for Inaba
The medical emergency stood out because Inaba already knows how to manage her chronic health problems.
She has previously described traveling with a health kit and preparing for potential problems.
Even with those precautions, she said the flight incident frightened her.
That reaction showed the seriousness of what she experienced.
Inaba did not present the incident as a new diagnosis. Instead, she shared what happened and explained how she received help.
Her recovery allowed her to return her attention to her work and advocacy.
Inaba Continues Her Health Awareness Work
Health awareness has become an important part of Inaba’s public work.
She has spoken about the importance of recognizing symptoms and advocating for appropriate medical care.
Her involvement with the Sjöut for Sjögren’s campaign has also helped bring more attention to the condition.
Inaba wants people experiencing symptoms to take them seriously. She has encouraged patients to keep track of changes in their health and seek appropriate medical guidance.
Her own diagnosis took years, which gives that message particular meaning.
She knows firsthand how difficult it can be to understand symptoms when they appear gradually.
She Has Learned to Manage Her Energy
One of the biggest changes in Inaba’s life involves energy management.
She has acknowledged that she cannot always do as much as she once did.
Rather than viewing rest as a setback, she has learned to treat it as part of taking care of herself.
That approach has become especially important because her television career requires demanding schedules.
Working on Dancing with the Stars can involve long production days and intense periods of preparation.
Inaba has learned to plan around those demands.
She also recognizes that major events can sometimes leave her needing additional recovery time.
Carrie Ann Inaba Remains With Dancing With the Stars
Despite her health challenges, Inaba continues as one of the judges on Dancing with the Stars.
She has held the role since the show’s first season in 2005.
Her long association with the program has made her one of its most recognizable personalities.
Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli are also returning to the judging panel for Season 35.
The new season is scheduled to premiere September 15 on ABC.
The show will also stream through Disney+, while Hulu will provide access after episodes air.
For Inaba, the upcoming season represents another opportunity to continue a television role that has defined much of her career.
Inaba Recently Discussed Her Renewed Connection With the Show
Inaba has also spoken positively about the current direction of Dancing with the Stars.
During an appearance connected to Televerse 26, she discussed the show’s strong previous season and the reasons she believes it connected with audiences.
She pointed to the casting, the quality of the dancers and the sense of involvement created by audience voting.
The previous season featured a mix of established personalities, influencers, entertainers and other public figures.
Inaba said the competition felt especially open because several contestants had strong dancing abilities.
She described the show as both a major television spectacle and an intimate experience for viewers.
That combination, she said, helped make the program feel familiar while still giving it a fresh quality.
Season 35 Is Approaching Quickly
The next season will arrive after a successful year for the competition.
Season 34 received five Emmy nominations, including recognition in the Outstanding Reality Competition Program category.
The season also delivered a major audience milestone.
The finale drew about 9.24 million viewers, making it the show’s most-watched finale since 2015. Robert Irwin won the Mirrorball Trophy with Witney Carson.
Those results have created strong momentum heading into Season 35.
Inaba will once again sit at the judges’ table as a new group of celebrities begins its journey.
New Contestants Are Joining the Ballroom
Several Season 35 contestants have already been announced.
The developing lineup includes Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, Jackson Olson, Guillermo Rodriguez, Giada De Laurentiis and Taylor Hanson.
Guillermo Rodriguez has also been paired with professional dancer Witney Carson.
The full cast announcement is scheduled for September 2 on Good Morning America.
The season will begin with its two-night premiere on September 15.
That means viewers will soon see Inaba back in her familiar role, evaluating new performances and assigning scores.
Why Inaba’s Return Matters
Inaba’s return carries significance because she has been part of the show’s identity for more than 20 years.
She has watched the competition change with new hosts, contestants and professional dancers.
Her judging style has also become a familiar part of the program.
She often combines technical criticism with emotional reactions to performances.
Viewers may not always agree with her scores, but her feedback remains part of the conversation surrounding the show.
Her continued presence also gives the judging panel a strong link to the program’s early years.
Her Career Extends Beyond the Ballroom
Inaba’s television career began well before Dancing with the Stars.
She worked as a dancer and choreographer and became known to American audiences through In Living Color.
Her experience in dance has shaped her work as a television judge.
She understands the physical demands of performing and the pressure that comes with appearing before a large audience.
That background gives her a different perspective when evaluating contestants.
Her career has also included hosting and other television opportunities.
Still, Dancing with the Stars remains the role most closely associated with her today.
The Latest Update on Carrie Ann Inaba
The latest confirmed developments show Inaba continuing both her professional work and her health advocacy.
She has spoken openly about living with Sjögren’s disease and the pain it causes. She has also explained how the condition has changed the way she manages her time and energy.
Her April medical emergency led to a hospital visit, but she later recovered and continued her work.
Now, her attention is also turning toward the next season of Dancing with the Stars.
The Season 35 premiere is set for September 15, with Inaba returning to the judging panel.
Her recent comments provide a more personal look at the person behind the television role. They also show why she has become an advocate for people living with conditions that others may not immediately recognize.
For fans, the next major moment will come when the ballroom lights come back on and Inaba takes her place at the judges’ table once again.
What do you think about Carrie Ann Inaba’s latest health update and her return to Dancing with the Stars? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for the latest confirmed updates.