Val Chmerkovskiy, a prominent professional dancer on the popular television series “Dancing with the Stars,” has announced that he will not be participating in the upcoming episode set to air on 20 October. This decision comes as a result of a controversy surrounding an inappropriate remark he made, which has drawn attention from both fans and media alike.
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Chmerkovskiy’s suspension follows a TikTok post he shared, which he later deleted, that appeared to reference the infamous altercation between actor Will Smith and comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. The post was in response to criticism from judge Carrie Ann Inaba regarding a performance by Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson. In this controversial post, Chmerkovskiy suggested that fans “almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom,” implying that he could defend his wife with similar fervour as Smith did for his partner, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Inaba, who is 58 years old, was not the one who filed a formal complaint that led to Chmerkovskiy’s suspension, despite some reports suggesting otherwise. This clarification indicates that the decision for his absence in the next episode was generated by Twitter’s internal investigation protocols rather than direct action from the judge.
Following the incident, Chmerkovskiy issued a public apology to Inaba on 15 October, acknowledging the negative impact of his words. He expressed regret for not considering the broader implications of his comments and emphasised that it was never his intention to draw her into his dispute. In his statement, he stressed, “Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment, and I hate that she was.”
In a further statement made on 17 October, Chmerkovskiy expressed his desire to avoid becoming a distraction during what he labelled as an important week for his dancing partner, Jenna Dewan. He encouraged the public to send “lots of love” to Inaba, Dewan, and the entire “Dancing with the Stars” family. “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 added.
The repercussions of Chmerkovskiy’s actions were swift, with BBC Studios, which produces the show, stating that his comments were “inappropriate” and do not align with the values held by the programme. They affirmed their commitment to maintaining a respectful work environment, affirming that the well-being of everyone involved with “Dancing with the Stars” is “non-negotiable.” The network announced his suspension shortly thereafter.
As a result of Chmerkovskiy’s absence, eliminated dancer Alan Bersten will step in to perform alongside Jenna Dewan for Dedication Night, where dancers pay tribute to meaningful people in their lives. This shift comes as the series strives to maintain its focus while managing the fallout from the incident.
“Dancing with the Stars” continues to attract a dedicated viewership, with episodes airing on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu the following day. As fans await the next episode, the unfolding drama surrounding Val Chmerkovskiy serves as a reminder of the complexities that can arise in the competitive and high-pressure environment of reality television.