Dancing With the Stars Makes History With First-Ever Pro Suspension After Val Chmerkovskiy’s Controversial Comment About Judge
Dancing With the Stars has taken an unprecedented disciplinary step, suspending longtime professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy for one week following a controversial social media comment directed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
The decision came after Chmerkovskiy publicly defended his wife, Jenna Johnson, following a disagreement over judging during Super Bowl Night.
His remarks, including a deleted reference to Will Smith’s infamous Oscars slap, sparked backlash and prompted an apology.
The suspension also means a temporary change to the show’s professional lineup, with Alan Bersten stepping in for the upcoming Dedication Night episode.
Val Chmerkovskiy’s Comment Sparks Controversy
The disagreement began when Jenna Johnson and her celebrity partner Harry Shum Jr. performed a Samba during Super Bowl Night.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticised the choreography for including what she considered an illegal lift, resulting in a deduction.
Johnson questioned the decision because Shum had been lifted by two troupe dancers rather than by his professional partner.
She argued that similar choreography had previously been permitted under the show’s rules.
Chmerkovskiy subsequently defended his wife on TikTok, criticising how Inaba had addressed her.
He then posted a second comment that attracted considerably more attention.
“You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” he wrote before deleting the message.
The remark appeared to reference Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards.
Inaba responded by sharing coverage of the comment on Instagram and writing, “So this is what we are doing now?”
Val Issues Public Apology After Suspension
Following the controversy, Chmerkovskiy apologised both privately and publicly to Inaba.
“I have reached out to Carrie Ann to apologize directly and personally,” he wrote on Instagram.
He acknowledged that his words carried consequences beyond the show’s cast and crew.
“I should have never made the reference that I did and I deeply regret it.”
Chmerkovskiy also recognised his responsibility as a public figure, promising to think more carefully before sharing comments online.
The programme subsequently imposed a one-week suspension, described as the first disciplinary action of its kind against a professional dancer in the show’s history.
Alan Bersten Steps In for Dedication Night
With Chmerkovskiy temporarily sidelined, Alan Bersten will return to the ballroom for Dedication Night.
Bersten had previously competed alongside celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis before their elimination earlier in the season.
He is now scheduled to dance with Jenna Johnson for a Viennese waltz set to The Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody.
The performance will honour Johnson’s mother, Nancy.
The temporary partnership introduces an unexpected change to the episode while Chmerkovskiy serves his suspension.
Fans Debate Carrie Ann Inaba’s Lift Ruling
Although Chmerkovskiy apologised for his comment, the original judging decision remains a point of debate.
His brother, former professional dancer Maks Chmerkovskiy, questioned Inaba’s interpretation of the lift rule during a podcast discussion with Peta Murgatroyd.
Some viewers also pointed to previous performances involving troupe dancers that appeared to receive different treatment.
Under the show’s ballroom rules, lifts are prohibited in traditional styles including the Samba, Waltz, Foxtrot and Tango.
They are permitted in several other styles, including Salsa, Argentine Tango, Jazz and Contemporary.
The disagreement centres on whether assistance from additional troupe dancers should count as an illegal lift when the celebrity’s professional partner is not involved.
While that question continues to generate discussion, the show’s disciplinary decision concerns Chmerkovskiy’s response rather than the technical judging dispute itself.
His suspension marks an unusual moment for the long-running competition, highlighting how a disagreement over a single dance move escalated into a controversy affecting the show’s professional cast.
