TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews
Carrie Ann Inaba Says 'Dancing' Is Too Close To Call
'Dancing With the Stars' Judge Handicaps the Season, Responds to Show's Controversies
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May 21 -- She's the reality show judge we love to love, as one-third of the expert panel on ABC's hit 'Dancing With the Stars.'
In our previous interview with Carrie Ann Inaba, we learned all about her backup dancing days alongside the likes of Madonna and Ricky Martin.
And after this season's final three pairs were revealed, she again talked to AOL editor Geoff Bennett about why she can't predict a season four winner and revealed her peculiar co-hosting history with the ladies from 'The View.'
So Carrie, who do you think will win this season?
Oh, that's the question of the year. This time I can honestly say I have not a clue. Because we're not privy to how the audience is truly voting, I have no idea. Laila Ali is strong, sensual, sophisticated elegance on the dance floor. Then you've got Apolo Ohno, who's got the technique down and gives very sharp, precise routines with a lot of energy. And then there's Joey Fatone, who's an incredible performer with charisma beyond anybody we've seen on the show.
What did you think of Len Goodman's criticism that Apolo's cha cha was "raunchy"?
I thought "Len is definitely going into the old fogey stage." (Laughs) I've always thought of Len as matured and seasoned but then I thought "maybe old fogey."
And when Bruno Tonioli insulted Billy Ray, calling his dance "crap" -- how did that play out backstage?
I think it was all fine. I think everyone knew that Bruno didn't intend to hurt Billy Ray's feelings. And Bruno gets just as passionate as our performers do about what he's watching. He didn't mean to call Billy Ray crap. I think it just slipped out in a weird way, and I think Billy Ray understood that.
But what did you think of Billy Ray's performances?
I thought he was great. When I do choreography and staging, I do a lot of shows that involve people who don't dance. And I work with them on bringing out their inner-dancer. I admired Billy Ray because he obviously wasn't a naturally gifted dancer, but he never, ever gave up. You could see him giving every ounce of concentration to the dancing, and I think you can only applaud that. He brought some really fun moments, sometimes at his own expense. He found his own way of dancing that brought a lot of joy. To me, dancing is really meant to bring people joy.
With all the hype around Heather Mills, did you expect her to be eliminated as early as she was? I thought she'd be around for a while.
I was surprised. That week [she was voted off], I think she was flying back and forth, so she didn't have much time to rehearse and it showed in her dancing. It's unfortunate because she was kind of the frontrunner. But that's what's so great about the competition -- you have to bring it to the dance floor each week no matter what the circumstances in your surrounding life are.
Do you think women competitors have a tougher time on the show?
I give credit to any woman who makes it to the finals. It does take a lot. It's very difficult for the women in the competition because people visually compare them to the professional dancers. But they haven't had a lifetime of training; they've only had a few months. I totally admire our female competitors.
What is it about ballroom dancing that requires the costumes to be so outrageous and over-the-top?
Well, it's called a sport of glamour. It's like a sporting event because when dancers compete, they have to do a lot of routines in a row. So it involves a lot of stamina. They all compete on the floor at the same time, so they are competing for the attention of the judges.
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