Professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy missed Tuesday night’s live broadcast of “Dancing with the Stars” after producers handed him a one-week suspension for remarks aimed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Chmerkovskiy, a three-time champion on the ABC competition series, was benched for the program’s “Dedication Night” episode on Oct. 20. Fellow ballroom professional Alan Bersten stepped in to dance alongside Chmerkovskiy’s celebrity partner, actress Jenna Dewan, according to reports from Page Six and The Mirror US.
Dispute Over Judging Critiques
The disciplinary action stemmed from the dancer’s reaction to the Oct. 13 episode, when Inaba delivered critical feedback to his wife, professional dancer Jenna Johnson. Inaba faulted Johnson and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr., for executing what the judge identified as an illegal lift during a samba routine, RadarOnline reported.
Johnson questioned the ruling on the air before Inaba read the official lift guidelines aloud. Following the broadcast, Chmerkovskiy defended Johnson online. In a TikTok comment, he insisted critics should put respect on her name, adding that Inaba was out of line, according to RadarOnline.
Chmerkovskiy subsequently published a since-deleted remark warning followers that viewers “almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” The comment was widely viewed by fans and media outlets as an allusion to actor Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Academy Awards.
Inaba responded on social media on Oct. 15 by questioning the conduct. Page Six reported that Inaba also filed a complaint with human resources regarding the post.
Production Discipline and Apology
BBC Studios, which produces the show, responded by removing Chmerkovskiy from Tuesday’s taping. In a statement released over the weekend, producers characterized the pro’s social media remark as inappropriate and incompatible with show standards.
“The well-being of everyone who works on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is non-negotiable,” the production company stated, noting the post failed to align with required workplace values.
Chmerkovskiy offered a public apology on Oct. 15 through his Instagram Stories, acknowledging that he used bad judgment and reached out directly to Inaba to apologize. In an additional statement, he expressed regret that Inaba was dragged into the situation and voiced concern over distracting from Dewan’s rehearsal efforts.
The controversy followed earlier lighthearted tension between Chmerkovskiy and Inaba. Page Six reported Tuesday that during a Sept. 29 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Chmerkovskiy had quipped about Inaba’s vehicle after she criticized Dewan for performing too aggressively. Chmerkovskiy joked on camera that he knew where Inaba parked and hinted at altering its exterior before conceding that Inaba’s critique of their technique was fundamentally accurate.
Next Steps in the Ballroom
A production source told Page Six that Chmerkovskiy was caught off guard by the disciplinary penalty but accepted the ruling without dispute. The source said Chmerkovskiy planned to watch Tuesday’s broadcast from home while offering support to Dewan and Bersten, and that he anticipates returning to the competition for next week’s live episode.
Whether the disciplinary absence will hinder Chmerkovskiy and Dewan’s pursuit of the Mirrorball Trophy remains unclear as the season continues.
