Here's Why Carrie Ann Inaba Is Wearing Wigs On Dancing With The Stars

With so many celebs packed into Season 29 of Dancing with the Stars, it's hard to imagine that anyone is paying close attention to the judges' table. But eagle-eyed fans have noticed that judge Carrie Ann Inaba has been sporting a new wig each week, even though she said once upon a time that she always wore natural hair. Back in August 2020, for example, Inaba posted on Instagram about her medical conditions and their side effects on her hair. She wrote, "The symptoms of my conditions, and the medications I take for them, can have any number of side effects like hair loss, hair dryness, or breakage, so hair is something I am always concerned about. I don't wear wigs as most celebrities do, so my hair goes through a lot of wear and tear from washing and styling." But on Dancing with the Stars Season 29, it's very obvious that Inaba is definitely wearing wigs, and merely a month after that Instagram post, she even posted a behind the scenes photo showing all of them off. So what's with the sudden change of heart? Before Episode 3 of Season 29, Inaba posted a behind the scenes pic of her in her dressing room. Under the photo, fans complimented her looks so far this season and offered their opinions on what kind of wig she should wear for Disney night. But one viewer asked her why she went from saying that she doesn't wear wigs to showing them off. Inaba responded, "I [had] to take a medication that could cause hair loss, so we planned a season of mostly wigs just in case. When I took the medications, I had too many negative side effects so I had to stop it for a moment but we were already ready with a plan. So we stuck to it." Inaba lives with lupus, spinal stenosis, Iron Deficiency Anemia, and the immune disorder Sjogren's syndrome. It's a wonder that she's able to remain so upbeat and busy with all of that on her plate. Inaba has opened up about living with autoimmune diseases before, endearing fans with her honesty. She once told People, "Some people start to feel like I did, like, 'Oh maybe I'm just getting old, and this is sort of the beginning of the end.' I was like, in my early forties and said, 'Is this what happens to you? Am I just going to get really lethargic and not be able to do anything and be incapacitated?'" She added, "Once I was diagnosed, it's like I got my life back. I am so grateful. There's a blessing in some of these health conditions because it gives you a greater awareness of your own health. It makes you take care of yourself and realize it's a very important component of a healthy lifestyle is to see the doctor regularly." Inaba also revealed that Dancing with the Stars has one of the most grueling schedules she's ever had to deal with, so when she notices herself lagging, she just takes a minute. She told the magazine, "So if I'm not feeling well or if I'm starting to get a little tired, I really take good care of myself, I rest." Once Inaba explained why she was wearing wigs on Dancing With The Stars Season 29, fans rallied around her in support. One person commented on her picture, "Go for a really fun wig for Disney night!! And re hair loss.... it's just hair, it doesn't make you. You are beautiful even bald." Another added, "You are beautiful no matter what you do... Take care and stay safe and healthy." Another person added, "Sorry some of those meds can be very brutal on the body hope [you're] feeling better." In another People report, Inaba explained that she stays positive through it all, saying, "I love when life throws me something challenging. Because I know something beautiful is just around the corner." Who knows which look she'll go with next? Watch the video to learn Why Carrie Ann Inaba Is Wearing Wigs On Dancing With The Stars! #CarrieAnnInaba #DancingWithTheStars