What Happened to Carrie Ann Inaba?
Carrie Ann Inaba, known for her role as a judge on 'Dancing With the Stars,' experienced a medical emergency on a flight to New York on April 16, 2026, leading to hospitalization. This incident is the latest in a long history of health struggles for Inaba, who lives with multiple autoimmune diseases including spinal stenosis, Sjögren's syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
Quick Answer
On April 16, 2026, Carrie Ann Inaba suffered a medical emergency mid-flight while traveling to New York, experiencing symptoms like cold sweats, dizziness, and numb arms. She received assistance from flight attendants and an onboard doctor, was taken to the hospital upon landing for fluids, and is now resting and recovering. This event highlights her ongoing battle with several autoimmune conditions, which she has openly discussed over the years.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline9 events
Diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis
Carrie Ann Inaba received her first major diagnosis of spinal stenosis during Season 4 of 'Dancing With the Stars,' a condition causing excruciating pain and limited movement.
Multiple Autoimmune Diagnoses
Inaba was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and discovered she had markers for antiphospholipid syndrome, marking a challenging year for her health.
Publicly Discusses Autoimmune Conditions on 'The Talk'
Inaba openly shared her struggles with multiple autoimmune conditions on 'The Talk,' describing fibromyalgia as an 'invisible illness' and expressing feelings of shame.
Lupus Diagnosis Revealed
Inaba revealed she had been diagnosed with lupus, adding another significant autoimmune condition to her health profile. Some sources also cite October 2023 for this revelation.
Takes Leave from 'The Talk' for Health
Inaba announced a leave of absence from her co-hosting duties on CBS's 'The Talk' to focus on managing her various autoimmune diseases.
Discusses Chronic Illness Flare-up
Inaba shared on Instagram that her chronic illness had been 'acting up,' causing 'a lot of pain' and a 'lonely' year, ahead of her 'DWTS' return.
Misses 'DWTS' Season 34 Premiere
Carrie Ann Inaba was absent from the premiere of 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 34 due to illness, with no replacement judge appointed.
Suffers Medical Emergency on Flight
While on a flight to New York, Inaba experienced a sudden medical emergency, including cold sweats, dizziness, and numb arms, requiring assistance and subsequent hospitalization.
Provides Health Update and Recovers
Inaba shared details of her flight emergency on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the help received and confirming she is resting and recovering from the scary incident.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Carrie Ann Inaba, the prominent 'Dancing With the Stars' judge, faced a significant health scare on April 16, 2026, when she experienced a medical emergency during a flight to New York. Inaba recounted feeling suddenly ill, breaking out in a cold sweat, becoming dizzy, and her arms going numb. Initially suspecting food poisoning, she quickly realized the severity of the situation, especially when her arms became numb.
Despite being in the restroom during turbulence, Inaba sought help, receiving immediate assistance from a flight attendant, and later from two doctors who were passengers on board. Upon landing, she was transported by ambulance to a hospital where she received IV fluids. Inaba expressed immense gratitude for the help she received, stating that the experience, though scary, reminded her that she is not alone in her health challenges. She has since been resting and recovering.
This recent incident is set against a backdrop of Inaba's long-standing and well-documented health issues. She was first diagnosed with spinal stenosis in 2007, a condition where the space inside the backbone is too small, causing pain and nerve pressure. In 2013, she received multiple diagnoses, including Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder causing debilitating pain and fatigue, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis. She also has markers for antiphospholipid syndrome, which can lead to blood clots.
In late 2019, or more definitively in October 2023, Inaba publicly shared her diagnosis of lupus, another autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. These conditions have significantly impacted her life and career, leading her to take a leave of absence from 'The Talk' in May 2021 to focus on her health and missing the Season 34 premiere of 'Dancing With the Stars' in September 2025 due to illness. Inaba has been a vocal advocate for chronic illness awareness, often sharing her journey to help others.
As of April 17, 2026, Carrie Ann Inaba is recovering from her in-flight medical emergency. She continues to manage her complex array of autoimmune conditions, emphasizing the importance of self-care, stress management, and seeking support. Her openness about her health struggles serves as an inspiration to many living with similar invisible illnesses.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Carrie Ann Inaba made different choices?