A major controversy has erupted behind the scenes of “Dancing With the Stars,” with longtime professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy suspended after making a social media comment about judge Carrie Ann Inaba that many interpreted as a reference to physical violence.
The 40-year-old fan favorite has been benched for one week following a heated dispute over criticism directed at his wife, fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson.
The suspension means Chmerkovskiy will not appear alongside his celebrity partner, actress Jenna Dewan, during the show’s October 20 episode.
The drama began during the October 13 broadcast, when Inaba criticized Johnson and her celebrity partner, actor Harry Shum Jr., for including a prohibited lift in their samba routine.
Samba is one of several ballroom dances on the show in which lifts are not permitted under the competition’s rules.
Johnson appeared surprised by the criticism, prompting Inaba to read the relevant rule aloud while defending her decision.
Chmerkovskiy, who was watching from the ballroom, could be seen shaking his head in disagreement.
But the disagreement didn’t end when the cameras stopped rolling.
The following day, Chmerkovskiy posted a mirror selfie on TikTok with a caption that immediately sparked controversy.
“You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” he wrote.
The remark appeared to reference Will Smith’s infamous confrontation with Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards, when Smith walked onstage and slapped the comedian following a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Many viewers interpreted Chmerkovskiy’s comment as suggesting he had considered a similar confrontation with Inaba.
The dancer subsequently deleted the post, but screenshots circulated online, prompting criticism from viewers who felt the remark crossed a line.
On October 15, Chmerkovskiy issued a public apology, acknowledging that the reference was inappropriate.
“I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for my recent post,” he wrote.
He also revealed that he had reached out to Inaba privately to apologize.
Chmerkovskiy said he regretted the remark and recognized that, as a public figure, he had a responsibility to consider how his words might affect others.
However, the apology did not prevent disciplinary action.
On Saturday, October 17, BBC Studios, the production company behind “Dancing With the Stars,” announced that Chmerkovskiy would be removed from the following week’s broadcast.
“The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing With the Stars is non-negotiable,” the company said.
Producers described his social media post as inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards expected of people associated with the competition.
The suspension represents an unusual disciplinary decision involving one of the show’s most recognizable professional dancers.
Chmerkovskiy has been a fixture of the ABC competition for years, winning the Mirrorball Trophy three times and developing a loyal following alongside Johnson, whom he married in 2019.
His absence also creates an unexpected challenge for Dewan, who remains in the competition.
Rather than withdrawing, the actress will perform with professional dancer Alan Bersten during the October 20 Dedication Night episode.
Bersten previously competed this season alongside celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis before their elimination in September.
The temporary partnership will see Dewan and Bersten perform a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody,” dedicated to the actress’s mother.
Following news of his suspension, Chmerkovskiy released another statement explaining that he had intended to reference a familiar pop-culture joke about defending one’s wife.
He insisted that he had not considered how the reference might be interpreted and said implying violence was never his intention.
The dancer also expressed support for Dewan, his fellow professionals and the show’s production team, saying he did not want the controversy to distract from the upcoming performances.
He promised to watch and cheer everyone on from the sidelines.
Inaba, meanwhile, has acknowledged the controversy surrounding the deleted post. Johnson has also addressed the original judging dispute, explaining that she misunderstood how the lift rule applied to her choreography.
Despite the online criticism and temporary suspension, producers have not announced any additional disciplinary measures against Chmerkovskiy.
His removal currently applies only to the October 20 broadcast, and there has been no official indication that his partnership with Dewan has ended permanently.
For a show built around glamorous performances, celebrity partnerships and passionate fan support, the dispute has become an unexpected offstage controversy just as the competition moves into another crucial week.
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