Val Chmerkovskiy Breaks Silence on Historic Dancing With the Stars Suspension After Controversial Carrie Ann Inaba Comment

Val Chmerkovskiy has addressed his unprecedented suspension from Dancing With the Stars, admitting that his attempt to defend wife Jenna Johnson led to a serious lapse in judgment.

The 40-year-old professional dancer confirmed that he will miss the upcoming Dedication Night episode after posting a social media remark that appeared to reference Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars.

The controversy began when judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticised Johnson’s performance with celebrity partner Harry Shum Jr., prompting Chmerkovskiy to respond publicly.

His now-deleted comment sparked backlash and resulted in what has been described as the first professional dancer suspension in the show’s history.

Val Explains the Comment That Sparked His Suspension

Chmerkovskiy addressed the situation in an Instagram Stories statement on October 17, explaining that he had acted impulsively while trying to support his wife.

“In a moment where my instinct was to defend my wife, I made a poor decision to reference a meme to ‘keep my wife’s name’ out of the conversation,” he wrote.

He acknowledged that he had failed to consider how the reference might be interpreted.

The original post read: “You almost saw the Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”

The remark appeared to reference the 2022 Academy Awards incident in which Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Chmerkovskiy insisted that any threatening implication was unintended.

He also expressed regret that Inaba had become involved in the controversy.

“Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgement,” he explained.

Dancing With the Stars Announces Unprecedented Disciplinary Action

BBC Studios, which produces Dancing With the Stars, confirmed that Chmerkovskiy would not participate in the October 20 episode.

In a statement, the production company emphasised its responsibility to maintain a respectful working environment.

“The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable,” the statement said.

It described Chmerkovskiy’s social media post as inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards expected of people associated with the programme.

The decision marks a significant disciplinary action for the long-running competition.

Chmerkovskiy has been one of its most recognisable professional dancers for years, making his absence especially notable.

The statement did not specify whether any further action would follow.

Chmerkovskiy Apologises Directly to Carrie Ann Inaba

Before confirming his suspension, Chmerkovskiy had already issued an apology on October 15.

He revealed that he had contacted Inaba privately to express his regret.

The dancer also apologised publicly, acknowledging that his social media presence carries responsibilities beyond his immediate circle of colleagues.

“I recognize that I am in a fortunate position to have a platform and to be a role model to some,” he wrote.

He said he needed to exercise greater care and consider the potential consequences before sharing comments online.

“I am truly sorry to Carrie Ann, and everyone who I hurt with my careless post. I will do better moving forward.”

His subsequent statement reinforced that message, describing the incident as a mistake rather than an intentional threat.

Jenna Dewan Gets a New Partner for Dedication Night

Chmerkovskiy’s suspension also affects his celebrity partner, actress Jenna Dewan, who will continue competing without him.

Professional dancer Alan Bersten has been selected to replace Chmerkovskiy for the upcoming episode.

Bersten, who was eliminated earlier in the season, will return to the ballroom to partner Dewan for Dedication Night.

The temporary change comes during an important week for the contestants, when performances carry personal significance.

Chmerkovskiy said he did not want the controversy surrounding his actions to overshadow Dewan’s preparation.

“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 explained.

He encouraged viewers to support Dewan, Inaba and the wider Dancing With the Stars team.

“I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!” he added.

A Difficult Moment for a Longtime Ballroom Favourite

The suspension represents an unusual setback for Chmerkovskiy, whose career has been closely associated with the ABC competition.

A three-time Mirrorball Trophy winner, he has established himself as one of the programme’s most accomplished professional dancers.

His marriage to Jenna Johnson, another prominent Dancing With the Stars professional, has also made the couple familiar figures to viewers.

The incident began with his reaction to criticism of Johnson’s performance, but quickly developed into a controversy affecting his own participation.

Although Chmerkovskiy has accepted responsibility and apologised, his absence from Dedication Night will serve as a visible consequence of the remark.

For now, his focus appears to be on supporting Dewan and his colleagues from outside the ballroom.

His suspension marks a first for Dancing With the Stars, while his public response makes clear that he regrets allowing a moment of frustration to overshadow the competition.