Original “DWTS” Pro Louis van Amstel Says Carrie Ann Inaba Was ‘Right to Call Out’ Lift That Led to Val Chmerkovskiy’s Suspension

Val Chmerkovskiy, a pro dancer on the popular show “Dancing with the Stars,” has been suspended from the series after making social media comments in defence of his wife, Jenna Johnson. The suspension is significant as it marks the first time a professional dancer has been sanctioned in the history of the show.

The incident arose after Chmerkovskiy reacted to judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s critique of a lift performed during Johnson’s samba routine with her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr. Inaba highlighted the lift during their performance, indicating her concerns by explaining that a lift requires both partners to have both feet off the floor at the same time with assistance.

Louis van Amstel, a former pro dancer on the show, has voiced his thoughts on the matter, asserting through an Instagram video that Inaba was indeed justified in her critique. He remarked, “That was a lift. Two men assisted Harry off the floor,” pointing out the inconsistencies in how lifts are judged on the show. Van Amstel also referenced a similar situation involving a lift between different contestants, stating, “However, Val and his celebrity partner Jenna did a full-on lift, and Carrie Ann did not call that out. That, to me, is inconsistent, and that’s been my issue.”

Following Inaba’s comments, Johnson reacted with a mixture of disbelief and reflection. Initially rolling her eyes at Inaba’s scoring of their performance, she later spoke with media outlet Extra, acknowledging how challenging it can be to navigate such critiques. “I was definitely unaware of, like, two guys that weren’t myself, rolling back Harry and lifting him,” she said, adding that she could appreciate Inaba’s perspective.

Chmerkovskiy, deeply affected by Inaba’s remarks about his wife, took to social media ahead of the upcoming “Dedication Night” to express his frustration. In a now-deleted post, he referenced the infamous Oscars incident involving actor Will Smith, implying that he felt protective over Johnson.

After facing backlash for his response, Chmerkovskiy later issued an apology, admitting that his emotional reaction stemmed from a desire to defend his wife. He acknowledged that his comments were poorly thought out and never intended to bring Inaba into the feud. “The last thing I want is to become a distraction from an important week or from the incredible work my dance partner Jenna Dewan is putting in,” he stated in an Instagram post, sending his support to the other contestants and judges.

As a consequence of his remarks, Chmerkovskiy received a one-week suspension from the programme. In his absence, Jenna Johnson will now perform with Alan Bersten, who had been eliminated from the contest earlier in the season.

Van Amstel expressed further critique regarding the judging inconsistencies, suggesting that both Inaba and the show’s producers share responsibility for the confusion surrounding lift rules. He articulated that while he supports scrutiny of performances, it should be applied fairly across the board.

In conclusion, van Amstel noted that while the all-in-good-fun environment of dance performances can make lift rules seem more subjective, he urged viewers to remember the essence of the show’s entertainment value. “It’s a show, so don’t worry about it,” he advised fans.

“Dancing with the Stars” continues to air on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST/PST on ABC and Disney+, drawing in audiences with its mix of competitive dancing and personal drama.