While you’re talking to TooFab exclusively, current contestant and dance partner Brandon Armstrong opened up about Carrie Ann Inaba giving the couple a 9 after receiving 10s from fellow judges Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.

The score was met with some criticism from the live audience, while former prof Cheryl Burke took to her podcast to say she thought Inaba should have given some constructive criticism in addition to the 9 — and said Kinney was “begging” for more feedback.

“I definitely shared some of that frustration because as someone who is new to this field and learning something new every week, I really rely on the professionals to help me and what I need to focus on and what I need to improve .’ Kinney told TooFab.

“When you establish a point and you’re not given an exact reason why, I think you just kind of spin around,” she further explained. “So I’m definitely going through that this week, trying to figure out what to focus on because we only have a limited amount of time in that practice studio and have to divide that time wisely. It’s definitely a challenge for Brandon and I trying to figure out what we need to focus on most.”

The actress added, “I think the competition at this point in the competition is so fierce. And so you’re really refining those little details and the tiny intricacies of every moment that you’re on that stage.”

While the Pretty little liars alum is feeling confident, she added that without any words of advice on what to work on, she’s “kind of shooting in the dark, but fingers crossed.”

Inaba has previously admitted that she held Kinney to a higher standard due to her brief previous dancing experience. Despite this recognition, it has been an ongoing debate to have celebrities with previous dancing experience compete on the show, with some claiming it is a bit unfair.

“I don’t even really know if I can speak to it because I didn’t cast myself in the show,” Kinney told TooFab. “I just picked up the phone and said, ‘Yes.’ So I’m just filled with gratitude to be here. I think it’s a show that shows a lot of things. I think it really provides an opportunity for people to grow and improve as well.

“I think people are brought to the show for a million and one different reasons,” she added. “I think that makes for two great hours of television. I’m just grateful, for whatever reason, that I was brought on to this show. I’m not asking any questions.”

The duo will take to the ballroom tonight to celebrate the series’ 500th episode, a milestone they’re both grateful to be a part of.

“It’s surreal for me. I mean, as someone who’s been a fan of the show for a long time, to be part of a milestone for something that has been so iconic and left such a legacy is crazy,” shared Kinney.

“I’m still pinching myself a little bit about it. I feel so lucky. This all happened, the timing of it all lined up exactly. So I’m very excited. It’s going to be a beautiful evening,” she said.

In addition to celebrating a milestone, the dancers will have to participate in an “Instant Dance” round, where they have to come up with choreography for a song they only heard twenty minutes before the performance.

“I think the hardest part is the preparation because you don’t know what you’re preparing for, so you kind of have to be prepared for everything,” Kinney said. “I think our first strategy is to review the basics of the possible styles so that they are top of mind.”

“I think the hardest part about it is I think people misunderstand how long a minute is when you’re dancing,” Armstrong added. “Chandler can now attest to this: One minute of dancing lasts forever. It feels like an eternity out there, even if you’re prepared. If you’re not prepared, one minute will feel like a million.”

Armstrong has been a professional dancer on the competition series since season 24 and feels the show has been “reborn” lately with the increase in fan base.

“I don’t think I’ve been at the show with the same kind of excitement, buzz and fire that surrounds it. It feels like it’s been reborn, remade, it’s been given a facelift,” he told TooFab. “And it’s cool to be able to watch it from both sides and now be able to enjoy it on social media and with the fans and also enjoy it on the dance floor. It feels like there is a new energy surrounding it every night. And it just makes it a million times better that obviously I have a great partner and we’re having a great season.”

Of course, it’s not always positive feedback; fans often disagree with the judges’ scores and make this very public online.

“I think you have to take the ups with the downs. As far as them having a strong opinion, not only about us as a couple, but about the jury, the professionals, the choreo, the music and the costumes and whatever, I find it exciting,” he said. Armstrong. “I think it helps keep the judges accountable. It helps keep me accountable, and Chandler accountable, because there are so many more eyes on it with loud opinions that it’s interesting to look at it from a different point of view. “

“Chandler and I only get the opinions, comments or criticisms from three, maybe four people every week that we dance. And we put a lot of time and effort into it,” he continued. “So as much as we appreciate those three, or if there’s a guest judge, the opinions of four people, it’s nice to see the millions of other opinions out there so we can see how people receive them. Because at the end of the day we dance it for the people at home.”

Dancing with the stars airs Tuesdays at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.