Carrie Ann Inaba Shares BTS Look at How She Glammed Up for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Semifinals (Exclusive)

Carrie Ann Inaba on how long it takes to get ready for 'Dancing with the Stars' and whether she gets to keep the gowns.

The Cha Chas, Paso Dobles and Viennese Waltzs were fabulous on Dancing with the Stars on Monday night with both Charli D’Amelio and Gabby Windey earning perfect scores for both of their dances, but so was the fashion, especially Carrie Ann Inaba who was gorgeous and glamorous behind the judges’ desk and has given Parade an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at how she achieved the look.

“In honor of the semifinals of season 31, and our brilliant semi-finalists, I was excited to wear a very classic but also very modern gown by David Koma,” Carrie Ann shared. “This new season on Disney+ has been quite special. The whole show has renewed vigor and excitement and we have merged the old Dancing with the Stars and made it fresh and new again. So, that is the message behind this dress. It merges the eternally classic look of the LBD (little black dress) with a very sleek and modern cut. Since my finale dress will be very elegant, I wanted to do something that contrasted that.”

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Putting together Carrie Ann’s look is a collaborative process that begins almost immediately after the previous week’s show airs with hair, makeup and wardrobe styled by Glenn Nutley, Marylin Lee Spiegel and Rhonda Spies, respectively.

“Each week, usually on a Wednesday, my team and I begin the creative process,” Carrie Ann continued. “We use a shared photo album and a group text chain where we exchange ideas. The first photo each week is of the dress from my fitting, and from there, we explore hair inspirations and make up inspirations. This week there was no theme, so it was just about being glamorous. We all give our comments and thoughts and it’s honestly so much fun.”

The David Koma dress that Carrie Ann wore for the semifinals she discovered on Net-a-Porter.

Stylist Rhonda Spies describes the gown saying it was designed “with nude tulle panels along the bodice revealing hints of skin along with the embellished crystal-encrusted crocodile at the hip adds that added a little extra edge. The look was brought together with stunning jewelry from Dena Kemp, Candy Ice and Levian.”

“When I saw it, it immediately said, 'modern and sleek' to me,” Carrie Ann said of her choice. “Also, I’ve worn almost every type of neckline gown I could have over the years, and even now, Rhonda and I are always on the hunt for new necklines to keep it interesting and fun. This is a neckline I’ve never worn before so that’s a plus as well.”

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To round out the look, Glenn Nutley styled Carrie Ann’s hair into a sleek and chic long straight ponytail.

“It was a simple straight blow-dry, pulled back into a low pony with a side part and frozen in time with Unite Session-Max Spray Extra Strong,” Glenn told Parade. “Finally, a few hair accessories from Kela Hair Jewelry to add a little sparkle!”

And, of course, the makeup had to match.

“I gave her body a beautiful glow with Lorac Tantalizer,” Marylin Lee Spiegel added. “I gave her eyes extra smoke with Danessa Myricks Colorfix in Blackout, and I used the Tarte Maneater After Dark palette to create a soft edge. I thought this softer cat eye would complement her side swept bangs, and the neckline of her gown. Her lip color was created with a combo of Senna Cream Lipstick in Blush and Charlotte Tilbury Gloss in Walk of No Shame, for a bit of pretty sparkle.”

It sounds like it comes together easily, but truth be told, Carrie Ann shared that she doesn’t make her final decision on any of it until the day of the show and until she sees the jewelry and feels the “energy of the day.” So, even though the show goes live at 8 p.m. ET, which is 5 p.m. in Los Angeles where it broadcasts from, Carrie Ann and her team begin the day at 9 a.m. to review her options.

“For me, being a judge holds a lot of responsibility,” she said. “What I say, what any of us say, can affect the contestants for a long time. So, I think about how the contestants are feeling and where they are in the process of their journey. I think about what the night entails, and what I need to help me to feel centered and focused. My goal as a judge is always to be clear and supportive in my feedback, to be firm but compassionate, and to always help the contestants towards their goals with my honesty. So, what I’m wearing plays into this, as well as does the makeup and the hairstyle.”

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Does Carrie Ann Inaba get to keep her Dancing with the Stars gowns?

So, what happens to the gowns after the show airs? Does Carrie Ann get to keep her Dancing with the Stars wardrobe? The answer is as complicated as it is to find the wardrobe.

“Sometimes, designers loan me their gowns to wear and then I give them back,” she explains. “In the first seasons of DWTS, it was difficult to get designers to loan to me. But as the years have passed, I have been blessed to work with wonderful artists. And I am very grateful.”

But not all the gowns come from designers. Sometimes Carrie Ann and Rhonda, of necessity, rent or even purchase a dress, especially when Carrie Ann has a very specific idea of what she wants to wear on a night.

“Often, I get an idea that’s very specific, so it’s easier to purchase or rent from a rental house,” she explained. “Hollywood has some incredible rental houses… and online shopping allows us to see everything that is out there. And other times, like tonight, it’s a purchase. I love to scour the internet for looks. Pinterest is my favorite to browse through for ideas. My hair stylist Glenn Nutley got me hooked.”

Dancing with the Stars will return next Monday for the season 31 finale at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Disney+.

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