History of Carrie Ann Inaba in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 26, 2025

Carrie Ann Inaba is a multifaceted American entertainer renowned as a television personality, dancer, choreographer, actress, and singer. She gained prominence as one of the original Fly Girls on "In Living Color" and solidified her fame as a judge on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" since 2005. Further expanding her television presence, she co-hosted and moderated CBS's daytime talk show "The Talk" from 2019 to 2021. Inaba's career began in Japan as a singer, eventually leading to her success in dance and television within the United States.

1986: Moved to Tokyo and Became Popular Singer

In 1986, Carrie Ann Inaba moved to Tokyo and started her career as a popular singer.

1986: Won talent show and Groomed to be a pop star

In 1986, at the age of 18, Carrie Ann Inaba won a talent show in Hawaii. Following this, she was groomed to become a pop star in Japan, where she was given songs to read phonetically in Japanese.

1988: Continued singing career in Tokyo

Carrie Ann Inaba was a popular singer in Tokyo until 1988. During this time, she released three singles and hosted weekly radio and television series.

1990: Became a Fly Girl on In Living Color

In 1990, Carrie Ann Inaba joined the television series In Living Color as one of the "Fly Girls," a group of dancers.

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1993: Danced in Madonna's Girlie Show World Tour

In 1993, Carrie Ann Inaba appeared as a featured solo dancer during Madonna's Girlie Show World Tour.

1995: Appeared in Monster Mash film adaptation

In 1995, Carrie Ann Inaba appeared as one of the background dancers in the film adaptation of Monster Mash.

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2002: Acted in Austin Powers in Goldmember

In 2002, Carrie Ann Inaba appeared in the film Austin Powers in Goldmember as Fook Yu, alongside Diane Mizota.

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2005: Reprised role in Motorola commercial

In 2005, Carrie Ann Inaba and Diane Mizota reprised their roles as Fook Yu and Fook Mi with Mike Myers in a commercial for Motorola.

2005: Judge on Dancing with the Stars

In 2005, Carrie Ann Inaba began her role as a judge on ABC's Dancing with the Stars, a position she has held since.

2008: Participated in EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women

After her mother's battle with cancer in 2008, Carrie Ann Inaba and her mother began to participate in the EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women.

2008: Awarded Visionary Award by East West Players

In 2008, Carrie Ann Inaba was awarded the Visionary Award by East West Players for raising the visibility of the Asian American community through theater, film, and television.

2009: Met Jesse Sloan on eHarmony

In 2009, Carrie Ann Inaba met Jesse Sloan on the online dating site eHarmony.

2009: Honorary Judge at USA Dance National Dance Sport Championships

In 2009, Carrie Ann Inaba served as an honorary judge at the USA Dance National Dance Sport Championships.

2009: Anchored live red carpet coverage for TV Guide Network

In 2009, TV Guide Network announced that Carrie Ann Inaba would anchor its live red carpet coverage, starting with the Primetime Emmy Awards.

October 2010: Hosted 1 vs. 100 on GSN

In October 2010, Carrie Ann Inaba was named host of the revival of the game show 1 vs. 100 on GSN. She did not return after the first season.

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March 31, 2011: Jesse Sloan Proposed to Carrie Ann Inaba

On March 31, 2011, Carrie Ann Inaba's boyfriend, Jesse Sloan, proposed to her on Live with Regis and Kelly. She accepted the proposal.

2011: Discussed vision and spinal stenosis in interview

In a 2011 interview with Prevention, Carrie Ann Inaba talked about her vision impairment (20/750, corrected with glasses/contacts) and her spinal stenosis, which she believes started from a neck injury as a child.

September 2012: Engagement Ended

In September 2012, Carrie Ann Inaba and Jesse Sloan amicably ended their engagement.

2012: Launched Carrie Ann Animal Foundation

In 2012, Carrie Ann Inaba launched the Carrie Ann Animal Foundation.

2012: Started a YouTube series about shelter cats

In 2012, motivated by her love of animals, Carrie Ann Inaba started a new YouTube series about shelter cats.

December 2016: Became engaged to Robb Derringer

In December 2016, Carrie Ann Inaba became engaged to actor Robb Derringer after a few months of dating. He proposed on the beach where they had their first date.

September 2017: Engagement to Robb Derringer Called Off

In September 2017, Carrie Ann Inaba and Robb Derringer called off their engagement.

January 2, 2019: Officially debuted as co-host on The Talk

On January 2, 2019, Carrie Ann Inaba officially debuted as the fifth co-host and moderator on the CBS Daytime talk show, The Talk, replacing Julie Chen.

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September 17, 2019: Announced Lupus diagnosis

On September 17, 2019, Carrie Ann Inaba stated that she had recently been diagnosed with Lupus.

2019: Opened up about health struggles on The Talk

In 2019, while on The Talk, Carrie Ann Inaba opened up about struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and Tourette Syndrome as a child.

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December 10, 2020: Tested positive for COVID-19

On December 10, 2020, it was reported that Carrie Ann Inaba tested positive for COVID-19, but later recovered.

April 26, 2021: Took a leave of absence from The Talk

On April 26, 2021, Carrie Ann Inaba announced that she would be taking a leave of absence from her role as co-host on The Talk.

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August 20, 2021: Confirmed departure from The Talk

On August 20, 2021, it was confirmed that Carrie Ann Inaba would not be returning to The Talk for the upcoming season.

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March 2023: Underwent emergency appendectomy

In March 2023, Carrie Ann Inaba posted on Instagram that she was diagnosed with acute gangrenous appendicitis and underwent an emergency appendectomy.