With "Dancing with the Stars" entering the final episodes of the season, judge Carrie Ann Inaba says this is typically the time she starts giving tough love to the competitors, which can be harsh.
However, a new problem has arisen.
MORE: 'Dancing With the Stars' pro Cheryl Burke hints at retirement: 'Time to hang up those shoes'Some fans of the show claim that Inaba, who has been with the show since its 2005 premiere, is treating several contestants unfairly -- namely "The Bachelorette" star Kailtyn Bristowe.
On Monday night's episode, Inaba deducted points from Bristowe and dancing partner Artem Chigvintsev for performing a lift during their jive, which goes against show rules.
The 52-year-old faced harsh criticism on social media regarding the scores she'd given to Chigvintsev and Bristowe. Inaba spoke out while filming an episode of "The Talk" on Tuesday, calling it a form of bullying.
"Right about this time is when people start to bully me because of the way I judge people," she lamented. "I can't believe it still happens as adults."
Inaba told the co-hosts o the talk show that the bullying won't "make me change the way I judge." In fact, it only steels her resolve to speak honestly to the contestants.
MORE: 'Dancing With the Stars' season 29 recap: Chrishell Stause takes her final bow; Nev Schulman and Johnny Weir earn perfect scores"I'm not about to change because you try to bully me. It only makes me stand stronger in my convictions and what I believe in," Inaba quipped. "I judge the way I judge from my background. That is my job to do it and I will always do it based on my own conscience, not because you're trying to tell me what to do."
Besides serving as a judge on "DWTS" for the past 15 years, Inaba served as a backup dancer on "In Living Color," as a featured dancer during Madonna's Girlie Show World Tour and performed at Prince's Glam Slam.
