A brief disciplinary break has turned into a short-lived detour for one of Dancing With the Stars’ familiar professionals. The show will restore the dancer to its lineup after removing him for a social media post that stirred controversy over a judge’s criticism of his wife.
Val Chmerkovskiy returns to Dancing With the Stars after suspension
Val Chmerkovskiy will return to Season 35 after sitting out one episode, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He has resumed rehearsals and will rejoin celebrity partner Jenna Dewan for the upcoming horror-themed installment. Dewan performed during Tuesday’s Dedication Night with substitute partner Alan Bersten while Chmerkovskiy served his suspension.
A disagreement over judging turned into a social media controversy after Val Chmerkovskiy took issue with Carrie Ann Inaba’s critique of his wife, Jenna Johnson. During Dancing With the Stars’ Super Bowl Night, Johnson and Harry Shum Jr. danced a samba to Usher’s “Yeah!” Inaba wanted the pair to add “more content” to the routine and challenged one of their lifts, prompting Johnson to ask, “A lift?”
Chmerkovskiy then posted a pointed message online saying, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” The line appeared to invoke Will Smith’s infamous 2022 Oscars slap against Chris Rock, drawing criticism from viewers. Inaba also weighed in on Instagram, questioning why the professional dancer had made the remark. The fallout ultimately led to disciplinary action against Chmerkovskiy.
BBC afterwards handed Chmerkovskiy a one-episode suspension on Saturday. The company said protecting its staff was “non-negotiable” and made clear that his social media jab crossed the line, falling short of the standards expected on the show.
Chmerkovskiy later owned up to his mistake, issuing a public apology and reaching out to Inaba personally. He said his instinct was to stand up for Johnson, but he failed to think through the message his meme reference might send. “I should have never made the reference that I did and I deeply regret it,” Chmerkovskiy said.
