Inaba dishes on the emotional shoutout to Len Goodman and the unprecedented conclusion to the latest episode.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: That ending was wild!
CARRIE ANN INABA:It was an exciting ending to a spectacular and quite emotional semifinal.
Carrie Ann Inaba on ‘Dancing With the Stars’.Disney/Eric McCandless
Ariana Madix is dealing with a back injury, which seems so tough to dance with.
Disney/Eric McCandless
You told Charity Lawson that she finally had the breakthrough you’ve been looking for.
What can she do to up the ante in the finale?
Val Chmerkovskiy and Xochitl Gomez on ‘Dancing With the Stars’.Disney+/ ABC
Part of what I do to help our competitors win is to challenge them to push through their fear.
You told Jason Mraz his dance was magic.
Can you elaborate since we lost a lot of your time for feedback in your hug?
Jason had an incredible journey last night.
Jason has admitted he has been on the fence about the show in the last few weeks.
Its understandable -DWTSis a journey unlike anything it’s possible for you to imagine.
This is where magic happens.
Disney+/ ABC
What touched you so deeply about Xochitl Gomez and Val’s waltz?
Was it mostly thatit stirred memories of Len?
Thats an interesting question.
I was touched by Xochitl and Vals waltz because of the sheer artistry of the performance.
Art has the power to move us all into a difference emotional space.
That waltz was filled with traditional ballroom content and was executed with such grace.
It was pure artistry in motion.
The Mirrorball Trophy bears Len’s name this year.
So, for you, what does that embody?
The Mirrorball Trophy bears my dear friend and colleague Len Goodmans name.
And that is wonderful way to keep Lens spirit alive with us in the ballroom.
Sometimes, I can hear his voice in my head.
So my way to honor Len is to keep doing what Ive always done.
Len was one of a kind.
This is an unprecedented move for the finale.
What is your advice to everyone going into it?
My advice for our five finalists is to take good care of their bodies this week.
Self care on the way to the finale is important because you want to be at your best.
Then, play to your strengths in the Freestyle and give us something we will never forget!
Anything goes in that finale.
This will be the most competitive finale weve ever had with five couples still competing.
I think since so many have them had such powerful performances last night with breakthroughs, its anyones game.
