Real-Life Love
Is ‘DWTS’ Judge Carrie Ann Inaba in a Relationship? All About Her Dating History
Carrie Ann Inaba has been a part of the Dancing With the Stars family since day one. Although she missed the Season 34 premiere, she’ll be back this week at the judges’ table. Throughout the last 20 years, the longtime judge has experienced love on and off set.
But is she in a relationship today? Swooon knows all about her current relationship status, and we’re also looking back at the DWTS legend’s dating history as Season 34 continues.
Is Carrie Ann Inaba in a relationship?
At the moment, Inaba is not in a relationship. Her last known relationship was with Fabien Viteri, whom she started dating in 2020. They were in an on-again-off-again relationship until 2022.
At The Critics’ Choice Real TV Awards in 2022, Inaba confirmed her single status. “I am happier than I have ever been. The pandemic was a good time to do introspection and work on things that weren’t so great and change parts of myself and delve deeper,” she told The Sun. “I am really settled. I am 54, and yes, I am single. To some people, that can be triggering, and even for myself, at points, it has been.”
A year before, Inaba and Viteri split for the first time. She revealed the breakup on her Instagram Story. “[I’m] uncertain of the future. Sad. Hopeful,” she wrote at the time. “Trying to allow the emotions. Trying to be strong.”
She continued, “Allowing myself space to cry. And I will grow. And I will evolve. And I will survive this too. And I will honor the gift that it was. Sometimes the things you thought were forever end up only being temporary. Finding the strength to accept that it’s over is enormously painful. Losing your friend … losing the hopes and dreams … your partner … the person you shared everything with .. your person … your love.”
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Inaba went public with their romance in September 2020. “Happy birthday mi amor. Life is so much better with you in it,” she captioned an Instagram photo. A few weeks later, she opened up on The Talk about her relationship. “He’s older than I am, and he’s a wonderful human being. And now, I understand how a relationship can work,” she said. “He’s been so supportive and a mature adult ’cause maybe sometimes I’m not, so that’s working really well.”
Has Carrie Ann Inaba been married?
No, Inaba has never been married. However, she has been engaged twice.
The DWTS judge met Jesse Sloan on eHarmony in 2009. In March 2011, Sloan proposed to Inaba on Live with Regis and Kelly. They had planned to marry that summer, but their nuptials never took place. They ended their engagement in September 2012.
In the wake of their split, Inaba told E! News, “He and I are still friends. And I’m also friends with his daughter. That’s the most important part — his daughter. So, yes, we’re all good.”
Inaba got engaged for a second time in December 2016 to actor Robb Derringer. He popped the question on the beach where they had their first date. Less than a year later, the former couple called off their engagement.
Who has Carrie Ann Inaba dated in the past?
In addition to Viteri, Sloan, and Derringer, she also dated a notable Dancing With the Stars pro: Artem Chigvintsev. They actually met in 2005 during Season 1 of So You Think You Can Dance. Artem was a competitor, while Inaba was a choreographer. They began dating in 2006 and broke up in 2009.
Chigvintsev joined DWTS in 2014. When the pro was paired with The Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe in 2020, Inaba had to respond to fans who thought she was too critical of her ex-boyfriend because of their past relationship.
“I think it’s hysterical,” Inaba told Us Weekly. “Look, I love Artem, I respect him, I love him and Nikki [Garcia] together. I love that they just had their little baby Matteo. We’ve had Nikki on The Talk. I’m a huge fan. There’s nothing but love, and I thought it was hysterical. So none of it bothers me. I know that people are passionate about Dancing With the Stars. They’re passionate about who they’re voting for. I love that. I will not stand for bullying of me or anyone. I will not. We’ve had enough of it in our country. I’m sick of it. I’m never gonna stand for that, I’m never gonna support it. But I am OK with passion, and I am OK with discussion.” (Chigvintsev and Garcia have since divorced.)
Dancing With the Stars, Season 34, Tuesdays, 8/7c, ABC and Streaming Live on Disney+
For more Dancing With the Stars, pick up a copy of TV Guide Magazine’s Dancing With the Stars: 20th Anniversary Special Collectors Issue, on stands now or available at DWTS.TVGM2025.com.
