5 Shocking New Career Moves And Health Updates From The Dancing With The Stars Judges In 2025

The judging panel for Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) remains one of the most consistent and beloved elements of the long-running show. As of today, December 10, 2025, the trio of Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli continues to bring their unique blend of technical expertise, emotional insight, and flamboyant enthusiasm to the ballroom. However, the 2024–2025 season has brought significant, and sometimes shocking, changes to their personal and professional lives outside the show, from major career shifts to unexpected health absences, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

The current panel, which solidified following the passing of the legendary Len Goodman, has navigated a period of transition, honoring the show’s legacy while forging their own. This article dives into the freshest, most up-to-date news on the three judges, exploring their latest projects, health updates, and what their future roles on the iconic ABC and Disney+ competition truly look like.

The Current DWTS Judging Panel: Full Biography and Latest News (2025)

The Season 34 judging table is anchored by three distinct personalities, each bringing decades of ballroom expertise and professional experience to their critique. Here is a complete profile and the most current news for each star:

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Carrie Ann Inaba: The Technical Authority

• Full Name: Carrie Ann Inaba
• Born: January 5, 1968 (Age 57 as of 2025)
• Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
• DWTS Role: Judge (Since Season 1, 2005)
• Signature Style: Known for her focus on the technical execution, flow, and "lifts" or "illegal moves."
• Other Notable Work: Former host of *The Talk*, professional choreographer, and dancer for Madonna, Ricky Martin, and Jennifer Lopez.
• Latest News (2025): Inaba made headlines for being unexpectedly absent from the *DWTS* Season 34 premiere. She took to social media to confirm her absence was due to illness, stating she was "resting up" and looking forward to returning to the panel. This absence, though temporary, sparked major fan concern given her long history with the show. She has also publicly discussed making a "big change" for 2025, focusing on health and personal well-being, which has been a continuous journey for her.

Derek Hough: The Six-Time Champion and Creative Force

• Full Name: Derek Hough
• Born: May 17, 1985 (Age 40 as of 2025)
• Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
• DWTS Role: Judge (Since Season 29, 2020); Former Professional Dancer (Six-time Mirrorball Champion)
• Signature Style: Offers encouraging, constructive critique with a focus on artistry, musicality, and innovative choreography.
• Other Notable Work: Emmy Award-winning choreographer, stage performer, and star of his own Las Vegas residency and national tours.
• Latest News (2025): This is arguably the biggest news from the panel: Hough has been named the new host of the entertainment news series *Extra*, a role he is set to begin in September 2025. This major television personality shift confirms his growing influence in the industry, though he has assured fans he has worked out his schedule to continue his judging duties on *DWTS*. Furthermore, he is preparing for his massive national tour, *Derek Hough Symphony of Dance: Encore*, with dates extending into 2026.

Bruno Tonioli: The Energetic International Icon

• Full Name: Bruno Tonioli
• Born: October 25, 1955 (Age 70 as of 2025)
• Hometown: Ferrara, Italy
• DWTS Role: Judge (Since Season 1, 2005)
• Signature Style: Known for his vibrant, over-the-top, and often dramatic commentary, focusing on the performance, passion, and showmanship.
• Other Notable Work: Former judge on the UK's *Strictly Come Dancing*, choreographer for music videos and films, and dancer.
• Latest News (2025): Tonioli recently made a significant career move by stepping down from his judging role on *Britain's Got Talent* (BGT). This departure from the popular UK talent show is a major development, which is expected to allow him to focus his time and energy more fully on his primary role as a DWTS judge and other international projects. Fans see this as a positive sign of his long-term commitment to the American ballroom.

The Legacy of Len Goodman and the Scoring System

The current three-person judging panel operates under the long shadow and respected legacy of the late head judge, Len Goodman, who passed away in April 2023. Goodman was an original judge, known for his traditional, no-nonsense approach and his iconic catchphrase, "Seven!" His presence is still deeply felt in the ballroom.

In a powerful tribute to the former head judge, the show introduced the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, which is now awarded to the winning couple. The show also dedicated a powerful tribute dance featuring many former DWTS professional dancers to honor his memory during Season 32. This nod to the show's roots ensures that the foundation of ballroom dancing standards, which Goodman championed, remains central to the competition.

Decoding the DWTS Scoring System

Understanding the judges' scores is key to following the competition. The DWTS scoring system employs a critical 50/50 split. This means the final results are based on an equal weighting of two factors:

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• Judges' Leaderboard: The cumulative scores from Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. Each judge can award up to 10 points per dance, for a maximum of 30 points (or 40 points if a guest judge is present, though the current format uses three).
• Audience Vote: The votes cast by the public via phone and online.

The judges' scores are crucial because they establish the initial leaderboard ranking. A higher ranking gives a couple a significant advantage, as the public vote is then added to these scores to determine which couple is eliminated.

The Evolving Roles: Judges vs. Hosts

The dynamic of the show’s leadership has seen major changes in recent years, which impacts how the judges interact with the contestants. The current hosts, Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro, both have deep ties to the show, which adds another layer of expertise to the ballroom environment. Julianne Hough, in particular, is a former two-time Mirrorball Champion and a former judge herself, giving her unique insight into the contestant dynamics and the pressure of the scoring process. Her transition from professional dancer to judge, and now to co-host, showcases the show's commitment to using its own alumni in key roles.

The judges' primary role remains focused on providing technical, artistic, and performance critique. Carrie Ann focuses on the rules and technique, Derek on the creative journey and dance artistry, and Bruno on the showmanship and energy. This division of labor ensures that every aspect of the couples' Latin and Ballroom performances is scrutinized, leading to the dramatic and often emotional moments fans love.

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The combination of a stable, yet evolving, judging panel with their highly current external projects—like Derek's new hosting gig and Bruno's international shift—ensures that the DWTS brand remains fresh and relevant. With Season 34 underway and the judges' futures secured, fans can expect more high-stakes drama and expert dance critique for years to come.