Overview
- In the season 34 live broadcast, Inaba stood and shouted, “What? What did you say?” moments after critiquing Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa’s paso doble.
- An audience member yelled from across the ballroom, reportedly calling Chiles a “queen,” which prompted the confrontation.
- Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro swiftly redirected the program to Derek Hough, easing the interruption on air.
- Inaba has not issued a new statement since, as social media responses largely backed her and labeled the heckling disrespectful or misogynistic.
- The incident followed her recent comments about giving tougher notes to women and the mental toll of backlash, set against her 20-year tenure on the judging panel.