Long-serving Dancing With The Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba has spoken out about her health, saying she's been in "a lot of pain" as she reflected on a "lonely" year.
The dancer and choreographer confirmed her chronic illness has been "acting up" and that she has "surrendered" to "feeling [her] age."
The 56-year-old, who has been a part of the DWTS lineup since 2005, stated that "many people" in her life "didn't believe" her illness.
Inaba has been open about her health woes in the past, telling fans she has spinal stenosis, Sjögren syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
In late 2019, the star said that she had been recently diagnosed with Lupus.
Speaking to her 663,000 Instagram followers on Monday, the former The Talk regular gave an update ahead of her DWTS return next month following a "complicated" 2024.
"I have been quiet this year and I highly recommend it to anyone who feels any sort of burn out," Inaba said, sharing a photo of her bare feet walking on grass.
"At first I felt guilty. And then I felt boring. Soon after, I felt lost. And then a little bit lonely. But something told me to keep going it, alone.
"I wondered if I was okay... I started to reorganize this life I had worked so hard to build and started to recognize what I really enjoyed, and reject what I didn't."
She continued: "I did what I wanted to do. I stopped checking my messages and emails. I stopped capitalizing things and I made a mess in my home. I built things. I painted a few things and I wrote a lot."
It was then that she addressed her health: "I had a lot of pain. My chronic illness acted up. I felt my age in new ways and I surrendered and made friends with all of it.
"... I observed the people in my life and I came to understand that many people didn't believe my illness and how it affects me. So, I walked away from those people."
Inaba didn't directly discuss who or what she was referring to but instead said she has "simplified" her life.
She will soon once again join forces with her fellow judges Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough for the 33rd season, and spoke of her excitement ahead of the September 17 premier.
Inaba added: "I can't wait to get back to work. I'm very much looking forward to connecting again with you all.
"It may feel a bit different, but for today, I will stand here with the earth between my toes, the sunshine on my shoulders so very happy and grateful for all that is, was, and will be."
Her upload soon garnered attention, with more than 7,000 likes and 200 comments.
Co-star Jenna Johnson was one of the first to respond, sharing two heart emojis, while the wife of show host Alfonso Ribeiro, Angela, did the same.
WWE star Nikki Garcia said: "Love this Carrie Ann! So much truth here, so, so beautiful," and actor Rocky Kanaka added more hearts to the post.
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