Val Chmerkovskiy has been a staple of Dancing with the Stars since his debut in season 13 back in 2011. The Ukrainian-born pro dancer, partnered this year with actress Jenna Dewan, found himself at the centre of a controversy after the episode that aired on October 13. Following a critical comment from judge Carrie Ann Inaba toward his wife, fellow pro Jenna Johnson, Val posted a TikTok Story that read, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” The line was widely interpreted as a thinly veiled reference to Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap of Chris Rock, prompting a swift reaction from the judge and fans alike.
Network response and the one-week suspension
The production arm behind the series, BBC Studios issued a statement on October 17 confirming that Val would sit out the upcoming “Dedication Night” episode scheduled for October 20. The announcement emphasized that “the well-being of everyone who works on Dancing With the Stars is non-negotiable,” adding that the TikTok post was “inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show.” As a result, Val will not appear in the live broadcast, marking the first time a pro dancer has been suspended in the show’s history.
Apology, clarification and broader fallout
Within two days of the post, Val removed the story and posted an apology on Instagram, acknowledging that his words had “affected many outside of our internal DWTS family.” He wrote that he “should have never made the reference” and expressed regret for involving Carrie Ann in the “bad judgment” that stemmed from an instinct to defend his wife. In the same statement, Val highlighted his platform’s responsibility, noting, “I am in a fortunate position to have a platform and to be a role model to some; I need to treat that with more care.” He also said he reached out to Inaba directly to offer a personal apology.
Impact on the competition and partner adjustments
With Val absent, Jenna Dewan will perform on October 20 alongside Alan Bersten a fellow professional who was eliminated earlier this season with Giada De Laurentiis. The episode’s theme, Dedication Night, will therefore showcase Dewan’s dance paired with a temporary partner, while the show proceeds without Val’s choreography. The decision has sparked debate among contestants and crew; some believe the punishment was justified, whereas others argue that a reprimand would have sufficed.
Background to the lift controversy
The tension between Val’s camp and Inaba dates back to the “Super Bowl Night” routine, where Inaba criticized Jenna Johnson’s samba for featuring an “illegal lift.” She read the definition of a lift aloud—”any movement during which one of the dancers has both feet off the floor at the same time with the assistance or support of their partner”—which many interpreted as a critique of a background lift performed by supporting dancers. Val’s brother, former DWTS pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy defended the routine on a podcast, arguing that the rulebook applies only to the primary couple, not to additional performers. Former pro Peta Murgatroyd echoed this uncertainty, calling the lift rule “confusing.”
In the wake of the suspension, Val reiterated that he “would never resort to violence” and described his comment as “trash talk” akin to sports fans reacting to a bad call. He concluded his public statement by sending “love” to Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the entire DWTS family, promising to watch and cheer from the sidelines during Dedication Night.
