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Chmerkovskiy Returns to DWTS After One-Week Suspension

Updated 4:04 AM ET · 1:16 AM ETConfirmed

Entertainment Desk

In Short: Val Chmerkovskiy, a pro dancer on 'Dancing with the Stars,' returned to the show after a one-week suspension for inappropriate comments about judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

Val Chmerkovskiy, a pro dancer on 'Dancing with the Stars,' returned to the show on Tuesday night after a one-week suspension for inappropriate comments about judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

Chmerkovskiy's suspension began after he shared a controversial social media post referencing Will Smith's Oscars slap incident. He wrote, 'Puts some respect on her name. Shes trippin talking to her like that,' in response to a tense moment between his wife, Jenna Johnson, and Inaba during the Oct. 13 episode.

Inaba's social media post was deemed inappropriate by the show, leading to Chmerkovskiy's suspension. He apologized directly to Inaba and publicly acknowledged his mistake, stating, 'I should have never made the reference that I did, and I deeply regret it.'

During his absence, Chmerkovskiy's partner Jenna Dewan earned her first perfect 10 of the season. Dewan performed a Viennese waltz with Alan Bersten, scoring a 37/40, and dedicated the routine to her mother, Nancy.

Chmerkovskiy's return was acknowledged during a video package before Dewan and Chmerkovskiy performed their Argentine tango inspired by zombie films for Horror Movie Night. The couple performed to a cover of 'Uninvited,' earning high praise from the judges.

Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro briefly mentioned Chmerkovskiy's absence at the top of the Oct. 20 episode, noting that Dewan was paired with someone new.

Chmerkovskiy told Dewan in rehearsal footage, 'We are back together,' and expressed his intention to support the show and his partner during Dedication Night.

Inaba, while not directly addressing the incident, emphasized the importance of creating a better understanding between dancers and judges, stating, 'Working together to create a better understanding between the dancers and the judges and our audience is important to me, as we move forward.'

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• “I forgive you,” Dewan told him as they hugged.

What's still developing

• Last week, Dewan danced with Alan Bersten in place of Chmerkovskiy, scoring a 37/40 for their Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers during an emotional “Dedication Night” performance The routine — which judge Carrie Ann Inaba called the “ultimate breakthrough” for the “Step Up” actress — was dedicated to Dewan’s mother, Nancy, who joined her daughter and Bersten on the dance floor.
• After the fact, Chmerkovskiy took to his TikTok to share a status that read, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” in reference to Smith’s 2022 Oscars incident, when he slapped comedian Chris Rock and demanded that he keep his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s name out of his mouth.
• “I have not spoken about what happened because of professional courtesy for those who are still competing, and we actually have standards and practices that keep us separated,” Inaba began.
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• It will come up under “suspension of the rules,” meaning it’ll be fast-tracked to the floor and require a two-thirds majority.
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Sources

• Entertainment Weeklylink
• Page Sixlink
• The Hollywood Reporterlink
• The Lufkin Daily Newslink
• Todaylink
• Thewraplink
• NBC Newslink
• Eonlinelink
• WarpBeat — background on Val Chmerkovskiy Returns to DWTS After Suspension link
• WarpBeat — background on Chmerkovskiy Apologizes to Inaba After 'DWTS' Suspension link
• Scand Wave — video link