Why Ciara Miller Made Carrie Ann Inaba Cry on DWTS Premiere

Ciara Miller Reveals She's Getting Her “Butt Kicked” Ahead of ‘DWTS’ PremiereCiara Miller pirouetted into Carrie Ann Inaba’s heart on Dancing With the Stars. After the Summer House star and her pro partner Brandon Armstrong performed a foxtrot to Whitney Houston’s "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" on night two of the show’s season 35 premiere, she brought Inaba to tears, with the DWTS judge sharing why felt moved. “You made me cry because I can see the pain that you have. I can feel it,” Inaba told Miller following her performance on the Sept. 16 episode. “This is the beautiful thing about dance, is that it gives you a place to express that.” “I think that you are a stunning dancer,” she continued tearfully. “Did you see how [you] grew from the beginning to the end? Did you see that smile and how you lit it up? Your lines are beautiful.” Ultimately, Inaba emphasized that she doesn’t want Miller to give up. “I want you to go continue this journey,” she said. “I want you to believe in yourself. I want you to do that because you are a beautiful dancer, and it's all coming back.”And when asked about the touching feedback by co-host Julianne Hough, Miller—whose friend group imploded when her ex West Wilson entered a secret relationship with her best friend Amanda Batula—became emotional while sharing that the words hit home. “It's a lot of build-up for a big moment,” the reality star explained, “but I feel like it's the start of a new chapter.” “I want to have fun moving forward,” she continued. “But I just wanted to leave everything on the floor tonight, and this was really for my friends that held me up over the past year in my community.” Jesse Grant/NBC via Getty ImagesIndeed, before she took the dance floor, Miller—whose pals Lindsay Hubbard and Mia Calabrese were in the ballroom for her first dance—detailed the inspiration behind her emotional performance, expressing her gratitude toward those who supported her during a dark time in her life. “There were days and nights with my friends, behind closed doors, that were hard—really hard—to get through,” she wrote in an Sept. 16 Instagram post, “and I'm eternally grateful to them, because without them, I wouldn't be walking out on this stage tonight.” “This dance is for my village who have held me up, and allowed me the space exhale,” Miller continued. “No lights. No cameras. Behind closed doors.” To see who Miller and Armstrong are competing against for the Mirrorball Trophy, keep reading…Disney/Andrew EcclesJulia Stiles & Ezra SosaYou won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.Disney/Andrew EcclesGiada De Laurentiis & Alan BerstenCha-cha-chopping away... The celebrity chef will be turning up the heat this season.Disney/Andrew EcclesHarry Shum Jr. & Jenna JohnsonWhat did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesTaylor Hanson & Britt StewartThe former '90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.Disney/Andrew EcclesTatyana Ali & Jan RavnikThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesJenna Dewan & Val ChmerkovskiyTwenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.Disney/Andrew EcclesAmber Glenn & Pasha PashkovThe 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesEzra Frech & Daniella KaragachThe Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesSarah Jane Nader & Hailey BillsAfter sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand. Disney/Andrew EcclesConnor Wood & Rylee ArnoldThe comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesConner Leavitt & Adele ZaikmanThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.Disney/Andrew EcclesTyler Cameron & Sharna BurgessThe Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.Disney/Andrew EcclesJackson Olson & Emma SlaterThe Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesGuillermo Rodriguez & Witney CarsonThe Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.Disney/Andrew EcclesCiara Miller & Brandon ArmstrongThe Summer House star is prepping for her turn in the ballrom. "Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."Disney/Andrew EcclesMaura Higgins & Mark BallasThe Love Island UK alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience. "I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App