DWTS' Carrie Ann Inaba, 52, Looks Almost Unrecognizable in a Throwback Photo

Carrie Ann Inaba, who turned 52 in January, looked nearly unrecognizable in a charming throwback photo shared on social media recently.

On October 12, the official Instagram page for ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" uploaded an adorable picture of professional dancer Carrie Ann Inaba wearing a leotard and hat.

"It's the leotard and hat for us!" the caption of the photo reads, adding that Inaba, who was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, really rocked the 80s.

The popular television personality looked stunning as ever as she posed and smiled for the camera. She accessorized herself with earrings and a big shoulder bag.

Needless to say, the photo, which already received more than 14,000 likes, sent her avid fans into overdrive. One fan commented that Inaba is always looking beautiful.

HER HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Another fan wrote that she remembers Inaba when she was a fly girl dancer on the Fox sketch comedy series "In Living Color." Someone else quipped that the dancer's hair "looks like a straw broom."

According to PEOPLE, Inaba once toured with pop star Madonna and multi-awarded artist Jennifer Lopez before she became known as one of the judges of "Dancing with the Stars."

The acclaimed television personality was also once a famous singer in Japan and moonlighted as a choreographer on the hit talent show "American Idol."

Inaba is of Japanese, Chinese, and Irish ancestry.

BEING A "DWTS" JUDGE

Many contestants of "Dancing With The Stars" has said that Inaba is a mean judge. She once explained to PEOPLE that she is only helping all of them. The choreographer added:

"I get frustrated when they fight me. Okay, we can battle, but I am the judge—you're not going to win."

Aside from "American Idol," Inaba is also recognized for her choreography work on "So You Think You Can Dance," "The Kids Choice Awards," "Dance Wars: Bruno vs Carrie Ann," "American Juniors," "Dance Fever," and "The TV Land Awards."

Inaba was also the host of Game Show Network's "1 VS. 100" and TV Guide's "Red Carpet Live." In 2012, the star launched The Animal Project Foundation.

Inaba is of Japanese, Chinese, and Irish ancestry. She is the youngest of two children and grew up dancing the native Hawaiian dance called the hula, as well as other dance forms.

She became emotional recently when the "Dancing with the Stars" announced that hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were terminated from the dance competition TV series.