‘DWTS’ judge Carrie Ann Inaba is booed over Dwight Howard’s criticism

The crowd didn’t hide their displeasure with Carrie Ann Inaba’s comments about Dwight Howard Dancing with the stars on Monday evening.

After the former NBA star and his pro partner Daniella Karagach cha cha danced to “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire, Inaba got blunt at the judges’ table. “I’m going to have a little real talk. That was hard to watch,” she told the couple as the crowd immediately booed her loudly. As the audience continued to boo, Inaba told them, “No, I’ll tell them because I know he can take the criticism.”

She told Howard, “I know you can do better, and you’re trying to trick us with all the expressions.” Inaba added that she would like to see him keep the joy, but encouraged him to tone down the expression .

The other judges shared their opinion, but without boos in the background. Guest judge and actress Rosie Perez said: “I have to agree with my aviator here. I love you. You know I love you on the court. But I think you just have to work a little harder, that’s all.” But I love your passion, I really do, and you had so much fun out there. Panelists Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough also praised the athlete’s enthusiasm and energy, but encouraged him to work on his technique. The jury ultimately gave Howard and Karagach an overall score of 23.

Although the audience didn’t like the feedback, it wasn’t exactly a surprise for the dancing couple, who previously said in their pre-recorded package that they were more anxious compared to previous weeks. “This week we had to travel,” Karagach told viewers. “We hardly practiced. That’s why I’m stressed because the cha-cha is the hardest dance we’re going to do all season and we’re learning to do it in two days.”

Howard added: “Compared to the last few weeks I’m really nervous. I should definitely know more steps now.”

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Inaba opened up before Weekly entertainment about her feelings about being booed by her DWTS Studio audience, which has become something of a tradition over the years. “Being booed comes with the territory,” the longtime judge said. “To be a judge you have to develop a thick skin. But it’s all fun… it makes me really happy because when the audience boos, it shows they’re engaged.”

Monday night’s episode was Soul Train Night and had no elimination. The competition returns to television screens on Tuesday with Hair Metal Night, which will feature at least one elimination.

Dancing with the stars airs regularly on Tuesdays at 8pm ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.