Carrie Ann Inaba reflects on the late Anne Heche’s time on Dancing With The Stars: ‘She wasn’t afraid to fail’
Carrie Ann Inaba paid tribute to the late Anne Heche, who starred on Dancing With The Stars Season 29 for four weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hours after the 53-year-old actress was pronounced “brain dead” following a violent car accident last week, the 54-year-old Dancing With The Stars judge reflected on the mother-of-two’s dedication to the long-running ABC dance competition.
“She was a unique person,” the TV personality told People. “So open and vulnerable, but also so direct and courageous. I think she was someone who was often misunderstood… and like all people, she made mistakes.”
Remembering her friend: Carrie Ann Inaba paid tribute to the late Anne Heche, who competed on Dancing with the Stars Season 29 for four weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic; seen in 2019
The presenter continues: “But when I saw her up close, all I felt from her was joy and an open heart. She loved performing and she wasn’t afraid to fail.”
Inaba went on to describe Heche as “a rare and precious person” who “left us and her family so early.”
“I’m sad,” the choreographer concluded. “Wishing healing and love to her family… and may Anne Heche now rest in peace and play… She will always be a part of the DWTS family.”
Gone but never forgotten: Hours after the 53-year-old actress was declared “brain dead” after a violent car accident last week, the 54-year-old Dancing with the Stars judge reflected on the mother-of-two’s stay after ABC’s long-running dance competition (im picture 2022)
“She was a unique person,” the TV personality told People. “So open and vulnerable, but also so direct and courageous. I think she was someone who was often misunderstood… and like all people, she made mistakes.
On her Instagram, Inaba also recalled her pal, who she said “really touched her heart” after learning her story on Dancing With The Stars.
“I could feel the pain she was feeling and I could feel her resilient and brave soul as well. And it was touching,” she captioned her post. “I had no idea what she had been through in this life and I felt a connection to her and the struggles she was facing in her life. Despite her trials and difficulties, she had a bright light when she came on stage to dance.’
Inaba continued, “Every time she performed there was a sense of utter joy and a celebration of life. It was pure. And it was something special.✨❤️’
Tribute: On her Instagram, Inaba also reminisced about her pal, who she said “really touched her heart” after learning her story on Dancing With The Stars
She added: “We had reached out a couple of times to do her podcast but we never pursued it. I’m so heartbroken for her and for those who love her. It is a tragedy in every sense of the word. Not only for them, but also for the people who were also injured and lost things in this incident. Lives will be changed forever.’
Inaba also revealed that when she thinks of her friend “in that burning car and wonders what happened right before the accident,” she “swallows the tears that want to keep flowing.”
“From the outside it looks like there is some kind of emotional distress. Pains. Panic. Fear. Frustration. disorientation. Sadness. I don’t know…none of us know,” she wrote. “Anne, I just wanted to say that I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to SEE you. You have impressed many of us not only with your talent but also with your free spirit.”