“Dancing with the Stars” Tensions Ignite Between Carrie Ann Inaba and Val Chmerkovskiy Over Will Smith Oscar Slap Comment

A recent episode of *Dancing with the Stars* ignited controversy following remarks made by judge Carrie Ann Inaba regarding contestant Jenna Johnson’s performance. This incident has garnered attention due to its apparent connection to a broader cultural reference, specifically Will Smith’s infamous altercation with Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.

During the episode aired on Tuesday, October 13, as part of the themed ‘Super Bowl Night’, Johnson performed a samba with her partner Harry Shum Jr. After their performance to Usher’s hit “Yeah!”, Inaba commended the duo but expressed concerns that their routine lacked sufficient content. She specifically pointed out what she deemed an illegal lift, which prompted a notable reaction from Johnson.

In response to Inaba’s critique, Chmerkovskiy indirectly referenced the Oscar incident in a now-deleted TikTok post, suggesting that viewers almost witnessed a situation reminiscent of the award ceremony slap. The post reportedly included a comment aimed at Inaba’s judgement, stating, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” This remark drew significant attention and sparked a flurry of discussion across social media platforms.

Following this incident, Inaba took to Instagram to address the situation directly. Sharing a screenshot of the Page Six article that covered Chmerkovskiy’s comments, she wrote, “So this is what we are doing now?” Inaba’s post indicated her surprise and frustration over the implications of Chmerkovskiy’s comments regarding her professional critique.

In the lead-up to this exchange, Johnson had reacted to Inaba’s critique during a post-performance interview with *Extra*. She expressed her confusion over the lift assessment, clarifying, “You know what, it’s hard, because usually when someone’s called out for a lift, it’s when your partner lifts you.” Johnson defended their routine, asserting that she did not perceive any violation regarding lifts, particularly as the performers’ choreography included other dancers who assisted in creating visual effects.

Amidst the discussions, Johnson’s family also weighed in on the controversy. Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who is Val’s brother and a former professional dancer on the show, voiced his concerns during an episode of *The Viall Files* podcast. He expressed that Inaba’s application of the rules appeared inconsistent, highlighting that the regulation on lifts primarily pertains to couples. He articulated that, as the background dancers were responsible for the lifts, it should not fall under the same category of critique that is applied to partnered performances.

Former *Dancing with the Stars* pro Peta Murgatroyd also shared her perspective, echoing Maksim’s sentiments regarding Johnson’s misunderstanding of the lift rules. Murgatroyd explained that many viewers might not fully grasp the complexities of dance regulations as they apply in competitions.

However, Maksim did concede that Inaba had a valid point regarding the performance’s content, admitting that there may have been a deficiency in the samba elements of Johnson and Shum’s number. He commented, “Samba didn’t play out,” expressing a belief that Inaba’s critique should have concluded without delving into the lift accusation.

Ultimately, Johnson and Shum received a score of 33 out of 40 for their performance, with Inaba awarding them an 8, which placed them in a tie for fourth position in the competition.

As the season of *Dancing with the Stars* progresses, it is evident that tensions can arise not just from performances but also from the judgements of the panel. The show continues to captivate audiences with its mix of dance, drama, and real-time reactions from both participants and fans alike. Viewers and commentators will surely be keeping a close eye on forthcoming episodes to see how this dynamic unfolds, especially in light of the current discourse surrounding performance critiques and artistic interpretation.