Carrie Ann Inaba, the renowned judge from Dancing With the Stars, faced a terrifying health crisis while traveling by air, resulting in an ambulance transfer and hospital evaluation. The 58-year-old television personality documented the alarming incident through social media posts, revealing she became suddenly ill during a flight from Los Angeles to New York.
Sudden Onset of Severe Symptoms
According to reports from People magazine, Inaba was en route to an important engagement when she experienced a rapid deterioration in her physical condition. "I very suddenly felt quite ill ... it seemed like food poisoning," Inaba explained in her Instagram account of the events. The symptoms escalated quickly, with the celebrity breaking out in a cold sweat, experiencing dizziness, and eventually noticing numbness in her arms.
Managing Multiple Autoimmune Conditions
Inaba lives with several chronic autoimmune disorders, including lupus, Sjögren's syndrome, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis, as reported by Page Six. Despite typically traveling with a comprehensive health kit to manage her conditions, this particular episode caught her completely unprepared. "I usually manage my health issues on my own, but this situation felt different – and scarier," Inaba acknowledged.
Initially attempting to avoid alarming fellow passengers during turbulence, Inaba retreated to the aircraft's restroom. "I didn't want to have anyone else put themselves at risk," she stated. However, when the numbness spread to her arms, she recognized the need for immediate medical assistance.
Emergency Response and Hospitalization
Flight attendants and physicians onboard the aircraft provided initial support, according to People. Upon landing in New York, paramedics were waiting on the tarmac and promptly transported Inaba to a hospital emergency department. During the ambulance ride, she experienced what she described as a "scary moment" when her blood pressure dropped significantly.
USA Today reported that after stabilization at the hospital, Inaba was discharged and continued receiving intravenous fluids at her hotel accommodation. She clarified that while the incident wasn't directly connected to her Sjögren's syndrome diagnosis, her experience with chronic illness has taught her to heed her body's warning signals when something feels abnormal.
Recent DWTS Community Connections to Aviation Incidents
In a related development within the Dancing With the Stars community, former professional dancer Charlotte Jorgensen recently revealed she survived the Air Canada Express Flight 8646 crash at New York's LaGuardia Airport on March 22, 2026. According to the Toronto Sun, the aircraft struck a fire truck during its landing approach.
Jorgensen publicly praised pilots Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther, who perished in the collision, crediting them with saving passengers' lives. "They made the ultimate sacrifice so that we all could live ... I am indebted to them and my thoughts are with their families," Jorgensen expressed, as reported by the Toronto Sun.
The back-to-back aviation-related incidents involving Dancing With the Stars alumni have drawn attention to health and safety considerations during air travel, particularly for individuals managing chronic medical conditions.
