Professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy has been benched from Dancing with the Stars for one week following an inappropriate social media post targeting judge Carrie Ann Inaba. BBC Studios, the production company behind the hit competition series, announced the disciplinary action on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The company cited workplace standards and the safety of everyone involved with the program.
The controversy began during the live broadcast of the show’s Super Bowl Night episode. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued a routine performed by fellow professional dancer and Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson, alongside her celebrity partner Harry Shum Jr. Inaba called out an illegal lift and read the formal definition of a rule violation on air.
The Social Media Post and Meme Reference
Following the broadcast, Chmerkovskiy took to TikTok to voice his frustration. In the now-deleted post, he referenced Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. He wrote a caption that implied he nearly brought similar energy into the ballroom to defend his wife.
The veiled threat drew internet backlash and caught the attention of Inaba. She reposted a news story regarding the comment with the caption, “So this is what we are doing now?”
Realizing the severity of the implication, Chmerkovskiy issued a public apology on Instagram later in the week. He admitted that his instinct to defend his spouse clouded his judgment.
“In a moment where my instinct was to defend my wife, I made a poor decision to reference a meme to ‘keep my wife’s name’ out of the conversation, without stopping to think through what else that reference could imply, which was genuinely never my intention,” Chmerkovskiy wrote. “Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment, and I hate that she was.”
BBC Studios Steps In and Changes Partner Lineup
Despite his public apology and a private outreach to Inaba, BBC Studios determined that the post violated company principles. In a formal statement released on Saturday, the production company underscored that maintaining a safe environment is paramount.
“The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable,” the BBC Studios representative stated. “Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show.”
The suspension directly affects Chmerkovskiy’s current celebrity partner, actress Jenna Dewan. The pair had earned impressive scores, including all nines, during Super Bowl Night. They were scheduled to perform a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers for the upcoming Dedication Night.
Due to the one-week benching, Dewan will perform alongside professional dancer Alan Bersten, who was eliminated earlier in the season. Production sources noted that Dewan has remained completely professional and respectful of the sudden rehearsal changes.
Chmerkovskiy Responds to His Suspension
Following the official announcement of his suspension, Chmerkovskiy shared another message with his followers, confirming he would sit out the upcoming Tuesday night broadcast.
“The last thing I want is to become a distraction from an important week or from the incredible work my dance partner, Jenna Dewan, is putting in,” Chmerkovskiy shared via Instagram Stories. “Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DWTS family lots of love during Dedication Night. I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!!”
Dancing with the Stars airs live on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.
