‘DWTS’ pro Pasha Pashkov blasts Carrie Ann Inaba’s ‘unfair’ criticism of Danielle Fishel dance

Dancing With the Stars professional dancer Pasha Pashkov has openly criticized judge Carrie Ann Inaba for her unfair assessment of his performance with partner Danielle Fishel during the show’s Dedication Night. The conflict arose after Inaba commented that their dances lacked variety, prompting a defensive response from both Pashkov and Fishel. On Tuesday’s Dedication Night episode of Dancing With the Stars, pro dancer Pasha Pashkov and his partner Danielle Fishel performed a jive dedicated to William Bill Daniels, Fishel’s former Boy Meets World co-star who played Mr. Feeny. The routine was set to the show’s theme song and featured a special appearance by the 98-year-old Daniels, adding emotional weight to the performance. However, judge Carrie Ann Inaba expressed dissatisfaction, stating that she felt like she was watching the same dance over and over again each week. Her comments were met with loud boos from the audience, highlighting the tension in the ballroom. Inaba specifically called out Pashkov for a lack in variety as far as dynamics in their performances. This criticism struck a nerve with Pashkov, who later told Variety that he was not happy with the remark. He explained that he always gets protective of his partners and felt the comment was unjust, especially since he believes their dances have shown diversity. Pashkov emphasized that the quickstep and jive they performed are inherently similar dances, making Inaba’s assessment feel misplaced. Pashkov elaborated on his defense, noting that if they had dances that were drastically different and still felt the same, he would understand the criticism. However, given the nature of the dances they had, it didn’t make sense to him. He expressed that he is overprotective because he knows how hard Fishel is working and doesn’t think she deserved that comment. This sentiment underscores the close partnership and mutual respect between the dancer and his celebrity partner. Danielle Fishel also responded to the critique, arguing that there has been variety in their performances. She pointed to their series premiere dance, a tango that told the story of her overcoming breast cancer, as an example of a more serious and emotional routine compared to the upbeat jive and quickstep. Fishel was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ in August 2024 and is now in remission, having completed treatment in January 2025. She shared that the tango was meant to reintroduce her to the audience in a meaningful way, and she smiled throughout it to show her positive outlook. Fishel admitted that Inaba was not wrong in her observation but teased that the criticism sets up perfectly for their upcoming Argentine Tango on Wicked Night. Despite the judge’s comments, the Boy Meets World-themed routine was beloved by fans and held deep personal significance for Fishel. She took to Instagram before the episode to share heartfelt messages about Daniels, noting that she’s still taking notes from Mr. Feeny and values his influence on her career. The dance began with Daniels standing in front of a school set created by the DWTS production crew, and he was featured in a pre-taped interview where he expressed pride in Fishel. This tribute highlighted the enduring bond between the co-stars and added a layer of nostalgia that resonated with viewers. The incident has sparked discussions among fans about judge critiques and contestant reactions, potentially influencing future episodes. As the competition moves forward, Pashkov and Fishel are set to perform an Argentine Tango, which they hope will showcase the variety Inaba questioned. This upcoming dance could be a turning point in their journey on the show, demonstrating their adaptability and skill. The exchange underscores the high stakes and emotional dynamics of Dancing With the Stars, where professional critiques can lead to public disputes.