The Unfiltered Truth: Unmasking The Current Dancing With The Stars Judges And Their Shocking Critiques

The judging panel for *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS) remains one of the most talked-about elements of the long-running competition, and for the 2024 season, the trio of experts has settled into a powerful and dynamic rhythm. This current panel—comprised of two original judges and a six-time champion—brings a blend of technical precision, flamboyant energy, and empathetic professional experience to the ballroom floor. As of December 2025, the core panel continues to be the foundation of the show's scoring system, guiding celebrity contestants and professional dancers through the demanding process of weekly competition.

The transition following the retirement and subsequent passing of the legendary Len Goodman has solidified the roles of the remaining judges, creating a new era defined by fresh perspectives while still honoring the show's foundational commitment to traditional ballroom technique. The critiques delivered by this panel are what ultimately determine a huge portion of a couple's fate, making their professional bios and judging philosophies essential knowledge for any dedicated fan.

Meet the Current DWTS Judging Panel (Season 33 & 34)

The panel for the most recent seasons of *Dancing with the Stars* (Season 33 and the upcoming Season 34) features three distinct personalities, each bringing their own unique expertise and background to the table. Their collective experience spans decades in the world of dance, choreography, and international television.

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• Carrie Ann Inaba: The Technical Enforcer
• Bruno Tonioli: The Flamboyant Enthusiast
• Derek Hough: The Champion's Perspective

Carrie Ann Inaba: The Technical Enforcer and Original Judge

Carrie Ann Inaba is one of the pillars of the DWTS franchise, having served as a judge since the very first season in 2005. Her role is often seen as the enforcer of technical regulations, especially the controversial "lift rule."

Biography & Professional Profile

• Born: January 5, 1968, in Honolulu, Hawaii
• Role: Original Judge (Season 1–Present)
• Primary Expertise: Choreography, Contemporary Dance, and Technical Compliance
• Career Highlights: Choreographer for *American Idol*, *So You Think You Can Dance*, and the Miss America pageant. She was also a Fly Girl on *In Living Color*.
• Known For: Calling out illegal lifts and focusing intently on contestant dynamics and emotional connection.

Inaba’s critiques are often the most technical, focusing on details like footwork, musicality, and maintaining the correct frame for the specific dance style. While she is known for her emotional reactions, her scores are typically grounded in the technical execution of the choreography. Her unwavering commitment to the rules, particularly the lift rule, has made her a consistent source of debate among fans and professional dancers alike.

Bruno Tonioli: The Flamboyant Enthusiast and Global Star

Bruno Tonioli is the other remaining original judge, known globally for his high-energy, colorful, and often dramatic critiques. His passion for dance is infectious, even when his comments are delivered with a theatrical flourish.

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Biography & Professional Profile

• Born: November 25, 1955, in Ferrara, Italy
• Role: Original Judge (Season 1–Present)
• Primary Expertise: Choreography, Latin Dances, and Showmanship
• Career Highlights: Choreographer for music videos and films, including work with Elton John, Tina Turner, and Freddie Mercury. He was also a long-serving judge on the UK's *Strictly Come Dancing* for 18 years.
• Known For: Flamboyant delivery, dramatic physical reactions, and focusing on the performance's energy, showmanship, and overall entertainment value.

Tonioli's judging style is characterized by his use of vivid metaphors and exaggerated expressions, often jumping out of his seat to demonstrate a movement. While he emphasizes the "wow factor" and the Latin dances, his professional background as a world-class choreographer ensures his comments are rooted in genuine expertise, making him a beloved figure across multiple international dance competitions.

Derek Hough: The Champion’s Perspective and New Authority

Derek Hough joined the judging panel in Season 29, stepping into the role previously occupied by his sister, Julianne Hough, and later filling the void left by Len Goodman's absence. His perspective is unique, as he holds the record for the most Mirrorball Trophy wins as a professional dancer (six victories).

Biography & Professional Profile

• Born: May 17, 1985, in Salt Lake City, Utah
• Role: Judge (Season 29–Present)
• Primary Expertise: Ballroom and Latin Dance, Choreography, and Performance Artistry
• Career Highlights: Six-time DWTS Champion, three-time Emmy Award winner for Choreography, and star of multiple Las Vegas residencies.
• Known For: Technical insight combined with empathetic, constructive criticism, offering advice that only a former professional competitor can provide.

Hough’s judging philosophy blends technical rigor with an understanding of the immense pressure the couples face. He is often praised for his insightful, detailed critiques that focus on improvement areas like transition, connection, and the narrative of the performance. His presence has added a fresh, modern layer of expertise to the panel, bridging the gap between the traditional judges and the newer generation of professional dancers.

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The Legacy That Still Looms Large: Len Goodman’s Impact

No discussion of the DWTS judges is complete without acknowledging the towering legacy of Len Goodman, who served as the Head Judge from the show's premiere in 2005 until his retirement in 2022. Goodman, who sadly passed away in April 2023, was the show’s anchor, representing the strict, traditional standards of international ballroom dancing.

Goodman’s insistence on proper ballroom technique, frame, and hold was the benchmark against which all celebrity performances were measured. His signature phrases, such as "A ten from Len!" or his blunt dismissal of overly modern choreography, ensured that the show never strayed too far from its competitive dance roots. The current panel—especially Derek Hough—now carries the responsibility of honoring that traditional standard while still allowing the show to evolve. The void left by his absence has been acknowledged by the show’s hosts and judges, confirming that his influence on scoring and critique remains a core entity of the competition.

Evolving Roles: Julianne Hough's Transition and the Show's Future

The constant evolution of the judging and hosting panel is a key factor in DWTS’s longevity. A notable recent change involves Julianne Hough, Derek’s sister and a former DWTS professional dancer and judge (starting in Season 19).

In a significant change for the recent seasons, Julianne Hough transitioned from the judges’ table to the main stage, replacing Tyra Banks as a co-host alongside Alfonso Ribeiro. This move allowed the show to bring a familiar, highly respected dance expert back to a prominent role without overcrowding the main three-person judging panel. Her experience as both a professional and a judge gives her a unique ability to interview the couples and offer pre- or post-dance commentary, further enriching the show’s overall contestant dynamics.

This dynamic trio of Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough, supported by the hosting duo of Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro, ensures the show's continued commitment to high-quality dance competition. The judges’ blend of technical expertise, passionate performance critique, and empathetic understanding is what makes the scoring process both fair and utterly compelling to watch. Fans can expect the high-stakes drama and constructive criticism to continue as the show moves forward into future seasons.