Fans of Dancing With the Stars will notice a familiar face missing during season 35’s “Dedication Night” this Tuesday, October 20. Pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, 40, will be absent for one week, with Alan Bersten stepping in to partner with Jenna Dewan in his place.
The Origin of the Conflict
The temporary suspension follows a series of events sparked by a critique from judge Carrie Ann Inaba regarding a performance by Jenna Johnson and her partner, Harry Shum Jr. During “Super Bowl Night,” Inaba penalized the pair for an illegal lift.
«A lift is — I just need to say it — 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,» Inaba clarified during the broadcast. While Johnson maintained that she respected the judge’s professional assessment, the situation escalated significantly when Chmerkovskiy intervened online.
The Social Media Controversy
Chmerkovskiy publicly defended his wife, but one of his social media posts drew sharp criticism. In a since-deleted message, he referenced the infamous 2022 Oscars moment involving Will Smith and Chris Rock, writing, «You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.»
The post prompted a swift response from Inaba and triggered an internal investigation by BBC Studios. Consequently, the show’s production team determined that his behavior violated the program's standards.
«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,» a statement issued to the press read.
Public Apology and Reflection
Chmerkovskiy issued a formal apology shortly after the backlash, acknowledging that his attempt to defend his wife had been misguided. «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,» he admitted on Instagram.
He further expressed his regret toward Inaba, stating that she did not deserve to be targeted by his poor judgment. As the show moves forward with Dedication Night, Chmerkovskiy has encouraged fans to continue supporting the cast, while his wife’s partner, Harry Shum Jr., has urged the public to focus on the joyous nature of the competition and practice kindness during these times.