Carrie Ann Inaba
Encyclopedia
Carrie Ann Inaba is an American
dancer, choreographer, actress, game show host, and singer.
She started her career as a singer in Japan, but became best known for her dancing, first introducing herself to American audiences as one of the original Fly Girls on the sketch comedy series In Living Color
. She has appeared as one of three judges on the ABC
television series Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), a show that pairs celebrities with professional dancers as they train and then compete in front of a studio audience.
, graduating from Punahou School
in 1986. She is of Chinese, Japanese, and Irish descent. She studied at Sophia University
and University of California, Irvine
before graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles
with a B.A. degree in World Arts and Cultures.
from 1986 to 1988 and was a popular singer. She released three singles, "Party Girl" (backed with "China Blue"), "Be Your Girl" (backed with "6½ Capezio"), and "Yume no Senaka" (backed with "Searching") and hosted weekly radio and television series.
After returning to America, Inaba appeared as one of the "Fly Girls", a group of backing dancers on the television series In Living Color
from 1990 to 1992. She also performed with Canadian singer Norman Iceberg
and dancers Viktor Manoel
(David Bowie
's "Glass Spider" tour) and Luca Tommassini at Prince
's notorious Glam Slam. Inaba appeared as a dancer during Madonna
's 1993 Girlie Show World Tour.
Inaba appeared in the film Austin Powers in Goldmember
(2002) as Fook Yu, alongside Diane Mizota
who played her twin sister Fook Mi. The two women are not related, but when Mizota had been cast for her role, she was asked if she knew any actresses who resembled her and suggested Inaba. Inaba, who had appeared briefly in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
, was given the role and the two women were made up to appear as identical twins. Inaba and Mizota would later reprise their roles with Mike Myers
in a commercial for Motorola
.
Inaba has acted (usually as a dancer) in the movies Monster Mash: The Movie
, Lord of Illusions
, Showgirls
, Boys and Girls, Flintstones II, Freak and American Virgin and the television series Jack & Jill
and Nikki.
Inaba has choreographed several television series, including American Idol
, American Juniors, All American Girl
, He's a Lady
, In Search of the Partridge Family
(in which she also appeared on air), Married by America
, The Sexiest Bachelor in America Pageant, The Swan
, and Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?. She also choreographed the Miss America Pageant for five years.
Inaba is the founder and President of EnterMediArts, Inc., a video production company. She directs, writes, and edits films. Her work includes E! Behind The Scenes Miss America Special, 7th Festival of the Pacific Arts, A Portrait of IVI and Beyond the Dancing Image, along with the short feature film, Black Water. She also appeared in the first season of So You Think You Can Dance during the audition stages where she provided choreography for the "choreography round".
Other TV appearances include Inaba as guest and co-host on The View, the ABC talent competition Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann
, and the FOX special Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed.
Also, Inaba guest stars as Tina, Hannah's choreographer, in the Hannah Montana
episode, "Papa's Got A Brand New Friend". In the episode, Tina is seen teaching Hannah new dance moves. However, she is accidentally pushed out of the window when Hannah does the electric slide, and becomes incapacitated in a full-body cast. Hannah pleads her to keep her job, but Tina refuses, forcing Hannah to hire a new choreographer.
TV Guide Network announced that Carrie Ann has been signed on to anchor its live red carpet coverage, beginning with the 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards.
In October 2010, she was named host of a revival of the game show
1 vs. 100 on GSN
.
, a dancer and former So You Think You Can Dance
contestant, from 2006 to 2008.
While sitting in as guest host on Live with Regis and Kelly on March 31, 2011, Regis was "answering" a letter asking for advice on how to propose. The lights dimmed just before her boyfriend, Jesse Sloan, appeared on stage. With violinists playing behind, Sloan, bent on one knee, asked for Inaba's hand, to which she responded "Yes! I will marry you!"
Inaba and Jesse met on online dating site eHarmony.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
dancer, choreographer, actress, game show host, and singer.
She started her career as a singer in Japan, but became best known for her dancing, first introducing herself to American audiences as one of the original Fly Girls on the sketch comedy series In Living Color
In Living Color
In Living Color is an American sketch comedy television series, which originally ran on the Fox Network from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Brothers Keenen and Damon Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the program. The show was produced by Ivory Way Productions in association with 20th Century...
. She has appeared as one of three judges on the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
television series Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), a show that pairs celebrities with professional dancers as they train and then compete in front of a studio audience.
Early life
Inaba was born and raised in Honolulu, HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, graduating from Punahou School
Punahou School
Punahou School, once known as Oahu College, is a private, co-educational, college preparatory school located in Honolulu CDP, City and County of Honolulu in the U.S. State of Hawaii...
in 1986. She is of Chinese, Japanese, and Irish descent. She studied at Sophia University
Sophia University
There are several rankings below related to Sophia University.-General Rankings:The university was ranked 61st in 2010 in the ranking Truly Strong Universities by Toyo Keizai...
and University of California, Irvine
University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
before graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
with a B.A. degree in World Arts and Cultures.
Career
Inaba, who speaks Japanese, lived in TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
from 1986 to 1988 and was a popular singer. She released three singles, "Party Girl" (backed with "China Blue"), "Be Your Girl" (backed with "6½ Capezio"), and "Yume no Senaka" (backed with "Searching") and hosted weekly radio and television series.
After returning to America, Inaba appeared as one of the "Fly Girls", a group of backing dancers on the television series In Living Color
In Living Color
In Living Color is an American sketch comedy television series, which originally ran on the Fox Network from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Brothers Keenen and Damon Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the program. The show was produced by Ivory Way Productions in association with 20th Century...
from 1990 to 1992. She also performed with Canadian singer Norman Iceberg
Norman Iceberg
Norman Joseph Bédard , also known by the former stage names Norman Iceberg and Norman Joseph, is a Canadian singer-songwriter.- Early years: Performing as Norman Iceberg :...
and dancers Viktor Manoel
Viktor Manoel
Viktor Manoel is a Mexican-American dancer, choreographer, writer, and actor. Viktor Manoel was born and raised in Mexico. His charismatic, androgynous look and unique style of dancing captured the imaginations of choreographers Édouard Lock of Canadian dance group La La La Human Steps and Toni...
(David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
's "Glass Spider" tour) and Luca Tommassini at Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
's notorious Glam Slam. Inaba appeared as a dancer during Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's 1993 Girlie Show World Tour.
Inaba appeared in the film Austin Powers in Goldmember
Austin Powers in Goldmember
Austin Powers in Goldmember is a 2002 American spy comedy film and the third installment of the Austin Powers series starring Mike Myers in the title role. The movie was directed by Jay Roach, and co-written by Mike Myers and Michael McCullers. Myers also plays the roles of Dr. Evil, Goldmember,...
(2002) as Fook Yu, alongside Diane Mizota
Diane Mizota
Diane Kiyomi Mizota is an American dancer, actress, and hostess.-Life and career:Mizota, a Japanese American, was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Danville, California. Mizota studied dance in high school and in UCLA and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Communication Studies...
who played her twin sister Fook Mi. The two women are not related, but when Mizota had been cast for her role, she was asked if she knew any actresses who resembled her and suggested Inaba. Inaba, who had appeared briefly in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, released in 1999, is the second film in the Austin Powers series that began with 1997's Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and continued with Austin Powers in Goldmember. The film was directed by Jay Roach, co-written by Mike Myers and screenwriter...
, was given the role and the two women were made up to appear as identical twins. Inaba and Mizota would later reprise their roles with Mike Myers
Mike Myers (actor)
Michael John "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer of British parentage...
in a commercial for Motorola
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
.
Inaba has acted (usually as a dancer) in the movies Monster Mash: The Movie
Monster Mash (1995 film)
Monster Mash is a horror-themed musical film, based on the Bobby "Boris" Pickett song Monster Mash and the 1967 stage musical, I'm Sorry the Bridge Is Out, You'll Have to Spend the Night, also by Pickett and Sheldon Allman. The film starred Pickett himself as Dr...
, Lord of Illusions
Lord of Illusions
Lord of Illusions is a 1995 American horror film, written and directed by the British author, filmmaker and artist Clive Barker. The film is based on his earlier short story, The Last Illusion , and it presents Barker's signature character Harry D'Amour onscreen for the first time. It stars Scott...
, Showgirls
Showgirls
Showgirls is a 1995 American drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring former teen actress Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, and Gina Gershon...
, Boys and Girls, Flintstones II, Freak and American Virgin and the television series Jack & Jill
Jack & Jill (TV series)
Jack & Jill is an American television series comedy-drama starring Ivan Sergei, Amanda Peet, Jaime Pressly, Justin Kirk, Simon Rex and Sarah Paulson which ran from September 1999 to April 2001 on the WB Network. It was created and executive produced by Randi Mayem Singer.The show's theme song was...
and Nikki.
Inaba has choreographed several television series, including American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, American Juniors, All American Girl
All American Girl (2003 TV series)
All American Girl is a 2003 reality competition that started with 45 females vying for the title of the same name. In the first episode the field of 45 is cut down to 15 by means of a talent show competition and obstacle course. At the talent show and obstacle course, three coaches decided who...
, He's a Lady
He's a Lady
He's a Lady is an American reality television show that aired on TBS from October to November 2004. The premise of the show involves eleven men cross-dressing as women in order to win $250,000. The show's name is a reference to Tom Jones's 1971 hit song, "She's a Lady".The show is hosted by Tony...
, In Search of the Partridge Family
The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family is an American television sitcom about a widowed mother and her five children who embark on a music career. The series originally ran from September 25, 1970 until August 31, 1974, the last new episode airing on March 23, 1974, on the ABC network, as part of a Friday-night lineup...
(in which she also appeared on air), Married by America
Married by America
Married by America was a reality television program hosted by Los Angeles DJ Sean Valentine that aired in the United States on Fox in the spring of 2003. It was produced by the production company Rocket Science Laboratories .-Premise:Five single people agreed to be paired up sight unseen with...
, The Sexiest Bachelor in America Pageant, The Swan
The Swan (TV series)
The Swan is a 2004 American reality television program broadcast on Fox in which women who were judged to be 'ugly' were given "extreme makeovers" that included several forms of plastic surgery...
, and Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?. She also choreographed the Miss America Pageant for five years.
Inaba is the founder and President of EnterMediArts, Inc., a video production company. She directs, writes, and edits films. Her work includes E! Behind The Scenes Miss America Special, 7th Festival of the Pacific Arts, A Portrait of IVI and Beyond the Dancing Image, along with the short feature film, Black Water. She also appeared in the first season of So You Think You Can Dance during the audition stages where she provided choreography for the "choreography round".
Other TV appearances include Inaba as guest and co-host on The View, the ABC talent competition Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann
Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann
Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann is an American reality TV show dance competition featuring choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba, two of the three Dancing with the Stars judges. Drew Lachey, Dancing with the Stars Season Two Champion, hosted the show.The show, based on United Kingdom...
, and the FOX special Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed.
Also, Inaba guest stars as Tina, Hannah's choreographer, in the Hannah Montana
Hannah Montana
Hannah Montana is an American television series, which debuted on March 24, 2006 on the Disney Channel. The series focuses on a girl who lives a double life as an average teenage school girl named Miley Stewart by day and a famous pop singer named Hannah Montana by night, concealing her real...
episode, "Papa's Got A Brand New Friend". In the episode, Tina is seen teaching Hannah new dance moves. However, she is accidentally pushed out of the window when Hannah does the electric slide, and becomes incapacitated in a full-body cast. Hannah pleads her to keep her job, but Tina refuses, forcing Hannah to hire a new choreographer.
TV Guide Network announced that Carrie Ann has been signed on to anchor its live red carpet coverage, beginning with the 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards.
In October 2010, she was named host of a revival of the game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
1 vs. 100 on GSN
Game Show Network
The Game Show Network is an American cable television and direct broadcast satellite channel dedicated to game shows and casino game shows. The channel was launched on December 1, 1994. Its current slogan is "The World Needs More Winners"...
.
USA Dance 2009 National DanceSport Championships
According to the January/February 2009 issue of American Dancer magazine, Inaba will be an honorary judge at the 2009 USA DANCE National DanceSport Championships in Baltimore, April 3–5 USA Dance, which is the national governing body for DanceSport in the United States, as recognized by the IDSF (International Dancesport Federation) and the US Olympic Committee, of which USA Dance is a member organization. Inaba will be assisting in the first stages of the review by USA Dance of competitive ballroom dancing "in the modern era" as they explore a new major initiative in the critique of DanceSport and its public appeal. Her input to USA DANCE will provide additional critique outside that of the traditional judging panel and will be focused on aspects of performance and personality that may escape normal judging standards. USA Dance, along with Inaba, will present the first-annual Star Quality no Award to 12 DanceSport championship level couples being judged in their divisions.Personal life
Inaba dated Artem ChigvintsevArtem Chigvintsev
Artem Chigvintsev is a Russian professional dancer, born at Izhevsk, Udmurt Republic, RSFSR, Soviet Union, specialising in Latin dancing.He moved to the United States in 2003, and began dancing with champion ballroom dancer Giselle Peacock, who became his wife...
, a dancer and former So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. TV series)
So You Think You Can Dance is an American dance competition and reality show that airs on Fox in the United States.The series first premiered on July 20, 2005, and was created by American Idol producers Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and is produced by 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions...
contestant, from 2006 to 2008.
While sitting in as guest host on Live with Regis and Kelly on March 31, 2011, Regis was "answering" a letter asking for advice on how to propose. The lights dimmed just before her boyfriend, Jesse Sloan, appeared on stage. With violinists playing behind, Sloan, bent on one knee, asked for Inaba's hand, to which she responded "Yes! I will marry you!"
Inaba and Jesse met on online dating site eHarmony.
External links
- Official website of Carrie Ann Inaba
- Carrie Ann Inaba interview
- Carrie Ann Inaba Interview at PR.com