Actress and Season 35 contestant Jenna Dewan performed without her regular dance partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, during Dancing With the Stars‘ Dedication Night on October 20, 2026. The shake-up followed Chmerkovskiy receiving a one-week suspension from BBC Studios Los Angeles over a controversial social media post directed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba. Mirrorball Trophy winner Alan Bersten stepped in to replace Chmerkovskiy for the live broadcast, guiding Dewan through an emotional tribute to her mother, Nancy Smith.
The Controversy Behind Val Chmerkovskiy’s Suspension
The disciplinary action stems from an incident during the October 13 episode of Dancing With the Stars. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued a lift performed during a samba routine by professional dancer Jenna Johnson-Chmerkovskiy’s wife-and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr. Reading directly from her notes, Inaba emphasized strict competitive Latin dance rules regarding lifts, drawing a tense reaction in the ballroom and online.
In response to the critique, Chmerkovskiy shared a now-deleted TikTok Story that read, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” The post was an apparent reference to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. Following heavy public criticism, Chmerkovskiy removed the post and issued a public apology, stating he had reached out to Inaba personally.
Despite the apology, production company BBC Studios announced a one-week suspension on October 17, 2026. In an official statement, the company noted: “The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable. 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.”
Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Dewan Respond
Following the announcement, Chmerkovskiy released a follow-up statement expressing regret over his actions and acknowledging how his words impacted others:
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. Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment, and I hate that she was.
Meanwhile, Jenna Dewan stayed off social media during the initial days of the controversy before returning on October 18 to focus on Dedication Night. Dewan shared rehearsal updates and expressed gratitude to her substitute partner, writing on Instagram, “This is a truly timeless moment for my family. So grateful I get to create this memory with my mom that we will share forever! And thank you also to Alan for stepping in and being amazing.”
Alan Bersten Steps In for Dedication Night
Host Alfonso Ribeiro addressed the lineup change at the beginning of the live October 20 episode, confirming to viewers that Alan Bersten would perform alongside Dewan. Bersten, who was originally paired with award-winning chef Giada De Laurentiis for Season 35 before being eliminated in the second week, quickly integrated into rehearsals.
For Dedication Night, Dewan and Bersten performed a Viennese waltz set to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers. Dewan dedicated the emotional routine to her mother, Nancy Smith (also referred to in reports as Nancy Bursch), highlighting her resilience as a single mother who introduced her to dance and supported her ambitions throughout her life.
Chmerkovskiy is expected to return to the ballroom for the October 27 episode, provided Dewan remains in the competition following public votes and judges’ scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Val Chmerkovskiy suspended from Dancing With the Stars?
Val Chmerkovskiy received a one-week suspension from BBC Studios after posting a controversial message on TikTok referencing Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap, which was directed at DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba following her critiques of Jenna Johnson’s choreography.
Who replaced Val Chmerkovskiy on Dancing With the Stars?
Previously eliminated Season 35 pro dancer Alan Bersten stepped in to partner with Jenna Dewan for Dedication Night.
Who did Jenna Dewan dedicate her performance to?
Jenna Dewan dedicated her Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” to her mother, Nancy Smith, honoring her lifelong support and sacrifices.
What song did Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten dance to?
They performed a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers.
When is Val Chmerkovskiy expected to return to DWTS?
Chmerkovskiy is expected to return to the competition for the October 27 episode, depending on Dewan’s standing in the show.
