Professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy will be absent from the October 20 episode of *Dancing With the Stars* after a social media controversy involving judge Carrie Ann Inaba prompted producers to suspend him for one week.
The decision follows an escalating disagreement that began during the October 13 broadcast of the ABC competition series, when Inaba questioned a move performed by professional dancer Jenna Johnson and her celebrity partner, actor Harry Shum Jr.
Inaba criticized what she considered an improper lift during the couple’s samba routine. Johnson, who is married to Chmerkovskiy, appeared surprised by the assessment, leading to an uncomfortable exchange during the judges’ feedback.
Chmerkovskiy subsequently entered the controversy through social media, posting a remark that appeared to reference Will Smith’s confrontation with comedian Chris Rock during the 2022 Academy Awards.
The reference drew criticism because Smith’s actions involved physically striking Rock onstage following a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Chmerkovskiy’s comment was interpreted by some as suggesting a similar response to Inaba’s criticism of Johnson.
BBC Studios, the production company behind *Dancing With the Stars*, responded by announcing that Chmerkovskiy would be removed from the upcoming broadcast. The company emphasized its responsibility to maintain a professional environment and protect the well-being of everyone involved in the production.
The decision marks an unusual disciplinary action for the long-running dance competition, where disagreements between judges and professional dancers have occasionally created tense television moments.
Following the backlash, Chmerkovskiy issued a public apology and acknowledged that his attempt to defend his wife had resulted in an inappropriate reference. He also confirmed that he had reached out to Inaba directly to apologize.
The professional dancer expressed regret over the incident and recognized that his public comments carried consequences beyond his immediate intentions.
His suspension also creates a temporary change in the competition for his celebrity partner, actress Jenna Dewan.
Professional dancer Alan Bersten, who was previously eliminated from the current season, will step in to perform with Dewan during the October 20 Dedication Night broadcast. The pair is scheduled to dance a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” in a performance honoring Dewan’s mother.
Despite the disruption, Dewan remains in the competition, and the temporary partnership allows her to continue without missing the scheduled performance.
The controversy has also placed renewed attention on the relationship between the show’s judges and professional dancers. While disagreements over choreography and scoring are familiar elements of the competition, Chmerkovskiy’s response moved the dispute beyond the ballroom and into a broader conversation about acceptable public conduct.
For Chmerkovskiy, the immediate consequence is a missed performance and a public apology. His suspension is currently limited to one episode, leaving open the possibility of his return to the ballroom the following week.
As *Dancing With the Stars* moves forward with its competition, the incident serves as a reminder that the drama surrounding a televised performance can sometimes have consequences well beyond the judges’ scores.
