Are Amanda Kloots And Carrie Ann Inaba Friends?

In Hollywood, friendships can bloom almost anywhere. Whether it's on a set or at a glamorous event like an Oscars after-party, a lot of celebrities connect and become fast pals. Though not all co-stars and TV co-hosts get along, some leave their experience with lifelong friends. An example of this is Carrie Ann Inaba and Amanda Kloots, who met and got to know each other when the latter joined "The Talk" as a permanent co-host in January.

In August, though, Inaba announced on Instagram she was leaving "The Talk" after three seasons to focus on her health. At the time, she said she was "filled with immense gratitude for [her] journey" and felt blessed to walk away from the show with "lifelong friendships" and "many unforgettable experiences." In the comments section, Kloots wrote: "We will miss you everyday Carrie Ann! Thank you for being such a bright light always. I loved working with you and learning from you!!!!!"

Months later, Kloots and Inama are still friends and comment on each other's social media posts regularly. Kloots often praises Inaba's fashion looks, writing things like "YOU LOOK ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!" and "You are killing the looks each week!" and Inaba likes and comments hearts on photos of Kloot's son, Elvis. But just how close are the women? Closer than you may think, as they've supported each other through some tough moments.

In December 2020, Carrie Ann Inaba tested positive for COVID-19, sharing the news on Instagram. "I just wanted to come and let you know that I just tested positive for COVID-19," she said at the time. "I'm home, I'm following the guidelines. ... I have a fever, bad cough and lots of aches and pains and I just wanted to remind you all to stay vigilant because I am following all the protocols and have so many strict protocols in place and even then I caught it."

When she returned to "The Talk" in January, the "Dancing With the Stars" judge was open about her experience and revealed she was "thinking a lot about" her co-host Amanda Kloots, who lost her husband, Nick Cordero, in July 2020 after catching the virus. Inaba also thanked Kloots for her support, as well as the support of her other castmates, adding, "You guys reached out and I appreciate that you reached out. It made me feel safer."

Amanda Kloots and Carrie Ann Inaba reunited on "Dancing With the Stars" in September after Kloots was announced as one of the 15 celebrity contestants. Although the two are friends, Inaba has remained an impartial judge and has not treated her former co-host any differently. "I wish she would be an impartial judge," Kloots jokingly told Parade. "No, Carrie Ann is a dancer, and she knows that I want tough love. She knows that I want corrections." The "Live Your Life" author continued, "She knows that I want her to be hard on me. And also, that's not her personality. She's an honest, strong woman. She has to do her job and I want her to do her job. I promise you there will be no special treatment there. I wish there would be."

Still, Inaba praised her friend's ballroom skills and strength during a recent performance, in which Kloots performed to "Dance Again" by Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull. "Hi my friend, you brought tears to my eyes because I know how much you've been through and I know Nick is watching down on you and smiling, he's so proud of you," Inaba said (via ET Canada). "You were nothing but elegance, beauty and finesse. Just like an angel dancing, it was wonderful."

They may not be hosting the same daytime talk show host anymore, but it's clear Inaba and Kloots have each other's backs.