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Val Chmerkovskiy Returns to DWTS After Suspension
· Confirmed
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 long-time professional dancer on 'Dancing with the Stars,' returned to the show on October 20 after a one-week suspension for inappropriate comments about judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Chmerkovskiy's absence was briefly mentioned at the top of the October 20 episode by co-host Alfonso Ribeiro, who noted that Dewan was paired with someone new.
In a moment of tension, Chmerkovskiy had to defend his wife Jenna Johnson, who received a low score from Inaba. Chmerkovskiy's social media post was widely interpreted to suggest he had considered taking action similar to Will Smith’s Oscar slap, though he later said he hadn’t thought that far.
Inaba and Johnson had a tense exchange about the definition of a lift during the episode. Chmerkovskiy later offered to speak with Johnson at any time and to discuss the lift rule and how he enforces it.
Inaba shared a social media post where she said that “Jenna and I hugged it out after the Super Bowl show,” adding, “Jenna was an absolute professional about it, and two women worked through the moment.”
Chmerkovskiy told People about speaking with Inaba, adding, “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. Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DWTS family lots of love during Dedication Night. I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!”
Chmerkovskiy’s return was met with professionalism and forgiveness. Dewan told him, “I forgive you,” as they hugged.
Chmerkovskiy’s TikTok comment was widely interpreted to suggest, however jokingly, that he had considered taking action similar to Smith’s, though the dancer later said he hadn’t thought that far.
Chmerkovskiy’s return marked the first professional dancer suspension in the show’s history.
Chmerkovskiy’s return was professional and amicable, with both parties moving forward.
What this adds
Chmerkovskiy’s return to the show was marked by a professional and amicable atmosphere, with both parties moving forward from the incident.
What's confirmed
- It was all professional between Carrie Ann Inaba and pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy on the Dancing with the Stars set after all the drama.
- "You almost saw the Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night," Val wrote in a since-deleted post, adding elsewhere that Carrie Ann was "trippin talking to her like that".
- “The well-being of everyone who works on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show,” BBC Studios said in a statement on Saturday.
What's still developing
- Collider had the opportunity to chat with Marvel star Xochitl Gomez and her DWTS partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, about their partnership and experience on the series.
- "Pretty, but tough. Like a diamond. Or beef jerky in a ball gown."
- “We are back together,” Chmerkovskiy told the Step Up star in the pretaped segment.
- Val Chmerkovskiy is navigating the consequences of a misstep.
- No talk on the suspension -- just a smile and a few selfies with fans before heading straight into the studio, presumably to meet with his dance partner, Jenna Dewan.
- The Rookie star will perform a Viennese waltz to The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody” in honor of her mom Nancy, according to Us Weekly.
- By SAMEER SURI, US SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER and LILLIAN GISSEN, US DEPUTY LIFESTYLE EDITOR Published: 17:04 EDT, 17 October 2026 | Updated: 22:50 EDT, 17 October 2026 Dancing with the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy has received a weeklong suspension from the series after he was accused of threatening to slap one of the show's judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, over his wife Jenna Johnson's low score.