Professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy has been suspended from ABC’s Dancing With the Stars for one week following a social media controversy involving judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The disciplinary action, announced by production company BBC Studios on Saturday, stems from an online post Chmerkovskiy made referencing Will Smith’s infamous 2022 Oscars slap.
The controversy began on October 13 during the show’s “Super Bowl Night,” following a performance by celebrity contestant Harry Shum Jr. and dance pro Jenna Johnson-who is married to Chmerkovskiy. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba delivered a sharp critique of the routine, specifically calling out an illegal lift by reading the official competition rulebook definition aloud. The critique visibly upset Johnson, leading to backstage tension.
Shortly after the broadcast, Chmerkovskiy took to TikTok and posted a since-deleted comment that read, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” The comment was widely interpreted as a reference to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. Chmerkovskiy also added comments telling people to put respect on his wife’s name.
BBC Studios Issues Suspension
Following public backlash and an online response from Inaba-who posted a screenshot of the coverage with the caption, “So this is what we are doing now?”-BBC Studios stepped in. In a statement released to the media, the production company stated:
“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.”
As a result of the one-week suspension, Chmerkovskiy will miss the upcoming episode scheduled to air Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Dewan Respond
Chmerkovskiy issued a formal public apology through his representative, acknowledging his lapse in judgment and expressing regret for dragging Inaba into the dispute.
“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 stated. “Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment, and I hate that she was.”
Despite his absence, Chmerkovskiy’s celebrity partner for the season, actress Jenna Dewan, will still perform during the upcoming “Dedication Night” episode. Dewan will temporarily dance alongside professional partner Alan Bersten, who was previously eliminated earlier in the season after competing with Giada De Laurentiis.
Chmerkovskiy concluded his statement by urging fans to support the cast and crew. “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. Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DWTS family lots of love during Dedication Night. I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Val Chmerkovskiy suspended from Dancing With the Stars?
Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended for one week by BBC Studios because of an inappropriate social media post he made following a critique of his wife, Jenna Johnson, by judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
What did Val Chmerkovskiy post on social media?
Chmerkovskiy posted a TikTok comment referencing Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap, writing, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” which many interpreted as a veiled threat of physical violence against the judge.
Who will dance with Jenna Dewan while Val is suspended?
Professional dancer Alan Bersten will temporarily step in as Jenna Dewan’s partner for the Tuesday night episode dedicated to her mother.
Did Val Chmerkovskiy apologize for the post?
Yes, Chmerkovskiy issued a public statement and reached out to Carrie Ann Inaba personally to apologize for his bad judgment and careless reference.
When will Val Chmerkovskiy return to the show?
The suspension lasts for one week, meaning Chmerkovskiy will miss only the upcoming Tuesday episode before being eligible to return to the ballroom.
