Professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy has been sidelined for one week from “Dancing With the Stars” after posting an online comment referencing the 2022 Oscars slap toward judge Carrie Ann Inaba, show producers announced Saturday.
BBC Studios, the production company behind the long-running ABC competition, confirmed the disciplinary measure in a formal statement. The studio said that protecting the staff is paramount and that Chmerkovskiy’s online post failed to meet the behavioral standards expected of cast members. Because of the violation, producers determined he will not appear on Tuesday’s live broadcast.
Dispute Over Judge’s Critique
The controversy stems from the Oct. 13 telecast, when Inaba judged a routine performed by Chmerkovskiy’s wife, fellow series professional Jenna Johnson, and her celebrity partner, actor Harry Shum Jr. During her assessment, Inaba penalized the duo for incorporating an illegal lift and read aloud the competition’s rulebook definition of the move.
Following the broadcast, Chmerkovskiy expressed his frustration online. According to TheWrap, he initially commented that Inaba was “trippin'” and urged people to show respect to Johnson. He later posted an update to his TikTok story stating, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”
The remark widely drew comparisons to the 94th Academy Awards, where Will Smith struck comedian Chris Rock on stage after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. Chmerkovskiy soon removed the post, but Inaba shared a screenshot to her Instagram account, expressing shock and thanking reporters for bringing the statement to her attention.
Apologies and Show Repercussions
Chmerkovskiy issued an apology on Thursday through his Instagram Stories, saying he reached out directly to Inaba to convey his regrets. He explained that his protective instincts toward his spouse clouded his judgment and caused him to use an ill-advised meme without considering its threatening overtones.
“Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment, and I hate that she was,” Chmerkovskiy said in a statement on Saturday, adding that he did not want to overshadow the efforts of his celebrity partner, Jenna Dewan. He urged viewers to support Inaba, Dewan, and the rest of the cast during the upcoming broadcast, noting that he plans to watch from home.
Dewan, an actor on “The Rookie,” will remain in the contest for the upcoming Dedication Night episode, Variety reported. She will perform a Viennese waltz set to “Unchained Melody” honoring her mother, dancing alongside professional Alan Bersten, who rejoined rehearsals after facing elimination in the third week of the season.
Scrutiny on the Ballroom Floor
The incident follows past discussions regarding the intense feedback directed at the judging panel. In an interview published by Variety during Season 34, Inaba spoke about enduring persistent booing and harsh online comments from audiences, treatment she noted that fellow judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli rarely encounter.
Inaba said at the time that severe online hostility had occasionally left her feeling intimidated and fearful during production, forcing her to guard herself emotionally as each season progresses.
Representatives for Inaba did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the suspension, TheWrap reported. ABC has not announced any further disciplinary steps beyond Chmerkovskiy’s one-episode benching for the Oct. 20 show.
