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Entertainment • Television

Carrie Ann Inaba

Carrie Ann Inaba is an American television personality, dancer, choreographer, actress, and singer.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Carrie Ann Inaba is an American television personality, dancer, choreographer, actress, and singer. She is best known as a judge on ABC's Dancing with the Stars, a role she has held since 2005, and for co-hosting CBS's The Talk from 2019 to 2021. She began her career as a singer in Japan and later became known in the United States as one of the original Fly Girls on In Living Color.

Early life and background

Carrie Ann Inaba was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1968. She was raised in Hawaii and later pursued performance work in Japan before moving into American television.

Television career

Inaba became widely known in the United States through In Living Color and later through Dancing with the Stars. She also appeared on The Talk as a co-host and moderator from 2019 to 2021.

Other work in entertainment

Inaba has worked as a singer, actress, dancer, and choreographer. Her career has included stage, television, and other entertainment projects beyond her best-known hosting and judging roles.

Public profile

Inaba is a familiar figure in American pop culture because of her long-running presence on television. She is especially associated with dance competition and daytime talk programming.

Key facts

  • She has been a judge on Dancing with the Stars since 2005.
  • She co-hosted and moderated The Talk from 2019 to 2021.
  • She first gained U.S. attention as one of the original Fly Girls on In Living Color.
  • She began her entertainment career as a singer in Japan.
  • Her background also includes work as a dancer and choreographer.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Carrie Ann Inaba?
She is an American television personality, dancer, choreographer, actress, and singer best known for Dancing with the Stars.
What is Carrie Ann Inaba known for?
She is best known as a longtime judge on Dancing with the Stars and for co-hosting The Talk.
Where was Carrie Ann Inaba born?
She was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States.
When was Carrie Ann Inaba born?
She was born on January 5, 1968.
What was Carrie Ann Inaba's early career?
She began as a singer in Japan and later became known in the United States as a Fly Girl on In Living Color.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Ann_Inaba
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, occupations, and major career credits including Dancing with the Stars and In Living Color.
  2. ABChttps://abc.com/cast/35c7315f-1d5b-4c9b-8203-c6918f7119ed
    Supports: Her role as a long-running judge on Dancing with the Stars.
  3. TV Insiderhttps://www.tvinsider.com/people/carrie-ann-inaba/
    Supports: Career overview, including early singing work in Japan, In Living Color, and The Talk.