DWTS' Ilona Maher Was 'Confounded' via Carrie Ann Inaba's Scoring Disaster on Disney Night (Select)

 DWTS' Ilona Maher Was 'Confounded' via Carrie Ann Inaba's Scoring Disaster on Disney Night (Select)

### **"Ilona Maher Was 'Confounded' by Carrie Ann Inaba's Scoring on Disney Night Disaster: A DWTS Controversy Unfolds"**

**Dancing with the Stars** fans were in for a magical treat during the highly anticipated **Disney Night**, an episode known for enchanting performances, colorful costumes, and unforgettable dances. However, what was meant to be a night filled with fairy tales and iconic Disney magic quickly became embroiled in controversy when Olympic rugby star **Ilona Maher** found herself at the center of a scoring drama that left both her and her fans utterly bewildered.

The night began like any other on **DWTS**. The ballroom was transformed into a vibrant Disney wonderland, and each contestant, along with their professional dance partners, eagerly took to the dance floor to perform routines inspired by some of Disney’s most beloved characters and films. Ilona Maher, paired with pro-dancer **Brandon Armstrong**, was no exception, as the two delivered a high-energy jazz routine set to the tune of "How Far I'll Go" from Disney’s *Moana*.

As Maher stepped onto the floor, her transformation into the strong, brave, and adventurous character of Moana was mesmerizing. The duo's performance was full of power and precision, showcasing Maher's athletic prowess as well as her growing proficiency in dance. With complex lifts, flawless footwork, and an infectious energy that radiated through the ballroom, it seemed destined to be one of the standout performances of the night.

The audience roared with approval, and Maher’s teammates in the rugby world took to social media to praise her impressive moves. Maher, visibly exhilarated, exchanged a high-five with Armstrong as they awaited the judges' feedback, confident that they had delivered one of their strongest routines yet. But the praise from the judges that the pair had anticipated took an unexpected turn when it came time for **Carrie Ann Inaba**, one of the long-standing judges, to give her critique.

Carrie Ann began by acknowledging Maher’s growth and strength on the dance floor. She complimented the performance but, to everyone's surprise, followed up with remarks that left Maher—and the audience—confused. Inaba pointed out what she deemed a "lack of fluidity" in Maher's movements and criticized a few missteps in the transitions, something that went unnoticed by most viewers and even some of her fellow judges. Though polite in her delivery, Inaba’s critique felt nitpicky, especially given the challenging nature of Maher's routine and the evident progress she had made.

The real shock came when Carrie Ann delivered her score: a **6**, a score that felt completely at odds with the performance many had just witnessed. Maher’s jaw visibly dropped as she stared at the scoreboard in disbelief, while her fans at home lit up social media with outrage. In contrast, the other judges, **Len Goodman** and **Derek Hough**, offered much more favorable reviews of Maher's dance, with Len awarding her an **8** and Derek giving her a **7**. It was clear that Carrie Ann’s **6** had skewed the overall score, leaving Maher on shaky ground for the night.

Backstage, Ilona Maher was candid about her disappointment. “I was confounded, to be honest,” she admitted to reporters. “I felt like we gave it our all out there. I thought the energy, the emotion—it was all there. I know it wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t think it was a 6.” Her dance partner, Brandon Armstrong, echoed her sentiments, stating, “We worked hard, especially on the areas Carrie Ann mentioned. It’s tough when you feel like you’ve made improvements, and they’re not reflected in the scores.”

Fans were quick to rally behind Maher, flooding social media platforms with comments defending her performance and questioning Carrie Ann’s scoring rationale. Some pointed out inconsistencies in the way she had judged other contestants that evening, with several noting that performers who had more glaring errors had received higher scores. One Twitter user wrote, "Ilona was ROBBED! That dance was one of the best tonight, and Carrie Ann just tanked their score for no reason. Unbelievable."

The controversy only deepened as the night went on, with fans questioning whether Carrie Ann’s scoring had been influenced by personal biases or an overly critical eye. Many remembered past seasons where Carrie Ann had been known for her tough judging style, but this time, it felt particularly unjustified, especially on a night meant to celebrate joy and storytelling through dance.

As the results show loomed, tension filled the air. With Carrie Ann’s low score weighing them down, Maher and Armstrong found themselves dangerously close to the bottom of the leaderboard, a place they had hoped to avoid after their hard work leading up to Disney Night. Ultimately, the pair narrowly escaped elimination, but the sting of the unfair scoring remained.

Despite the scoring controversy, Ilona Maher remained gracious, taking to Instagram to thank her fans for their unwavering support. In a heartfelt post, she wrote, "Tonight didn’t go the way we hoped, but I’m still proud of what we put out there. Every week, we learn, we grow, and we push ourselves to new limits. Thank you to everyone who has been cheering me on—your love means everything!"

As the season continues, many are watching closely to see how Maher and Armstrong will bounce back from the Disney Night debacle. Though Carrie Ann’s score threw them for a loop, Maher’s determination and athletic mindset suggest that she will use the setback as motivation to come back stronger in the weeks ahead. And with her fans firmly in her corner, there’s no doubt that Maher’s DWTS journey is far from over.

But for now, the controversy remains a hot topic, with viewers left wondering: Did Carrie Ann Inaba’s score on Disney Night reflect a true critique of Ilona Maher’s performance, or was it a scoring disaster that will go down as one of DWTS’ most confounding moments? Only time will tell if this scoring snafu will affect Maher’s trajectory on the show—or if it was just a small bump on her road to DWTS glory.