Maks Chmerkovskiy, a prominent figure on “Dancing with the Stars,” publicly expressed his gratitude towards fellow dancer Alan Bersten for stepping in as a partner for Jenna Dewan during his recent suspension. Chmerkovskiy’s suspension follows comments he made regarding an incident involving Will Smith and the Oscars, which had implications for judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The social media post that led to his suspension has drawn attention and stirred up discussion in the lead-up to the October 20 episode of the popular show.
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Ahead of the airing of the sixth week’s episode, Chmerkovskiy, aged 40, was announced as being unable to participate in the show. The decision was attributed to remarks he made during an earlier episode where he defended his wife, Jenna Johnson, against criticism levelled by judge Inaba. Referring to Smith’s infamous Oscars incident, Chmerkovskiy’s post raised eyebrows and resulted in disciplinary action from the show.
In response to his suspension, the show confirmed that Bersten would take over the role of professional partner for actress Jenna Dewan, who is 45 years old. Bersten had previously competed but was eliminated when partnered with renowned chef Giada De Laurentiis only a few weeks prior. Despite this setback, Bersten was eager to embrace the new opportunity.
Just hours before the airing of the October 20 episode, Bersten shared a series of photos on Instagram showcasing his preparation with Dewan for their Dedication Night performance. He noted the honour he felt stepping in for Chmerkovskiy, highlighting the joy of watching Dewan and her mother share the dance floor.
Chmerkovskiy took to social media following Bersten’s posts to commend his temporary replacement. In his comment, he expressed appreciativeness for Bersten’s efforts, remarking on Dewan’s happiness and performance. Chmerkovskiy even cheekily referred to Bersten as his “new favourite follow,” hinting at a more amicable social media relationship after previously not following him online.
Adding to the supportive atmosphere, fellow pro dancer Emma Slater, who is Bersten’s girlfriend, also voiced her opinion on the situation. In a separate post, she explained that the nature of the show meant that dancers often have to step in for one another, indicating solidarity among the cast despite the circumstances.
Chmerkovskiy made headlines again when he issued an apology to Inaba just days earlier. In his statement, he clarified that he had reached out to her privately and wanted to extend his apologies publicly as well, acknowledging the broader impact his words had beyond the cast. His reflection on his “poor decision” underscored his respect for Inaba, stating she did not deserve to be implicated in his misguided actions.
Reports indicated that Chmerkovskiy’s suspension was a result of an HR complaint made by Inaba. However, details confirmed by PEOPLE highlighted that his comments, which triggered an internal investigation by the show’s producers, were the direct cause of his absence from the programme.
During the episode on October 20, co-host Alfonso Ribeiro addressed Chmerkovskiy’s absence at the beginning of the show, noting, “As you can see, Alan Bersten is with Jenna Dewan because Val is not with us this week.” However, Ribeiro chose not to elaborate on the reasons for Chmerkovskiy’s suspension, instead focusing on the performances of the remaining contestants.
“Dancing with the Stars” continues to air live on Tuesdays, allowing fans to witness the unfolding drama and talent on display. The show can be found on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Hulu, ensuring viewers keep abreast of the latest developments in this competitive dance-filled landscape.