A major controversy has rocked Dancing with the Stars Season 35 after longtime professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy received a one-week suspension following a social media comment involving judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The decision, announced on October 17, marks what has been reported as the first suspension of a professional dancer in the show’s history, leaving fans stunned just days before one of the season’s most emotional episodes.
Chmerkovskiy, a three-time Mirrorball Trophy champion and one of the competition’s most recognizable professionals, will not participate in the upcoming Dedication Night episode on Tuesday, October 20. The disciplinary action follows a dispute that began when Inaba criticized a performance by his wife, fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson.
The controversy started during the October 13 episode, when Johnson and her celebrity partner, actor Harry Shum Jr., performed a samba. Inaba questioned aspects of the choreography and identified what she considered an illegal lift, leading to a deduction in the pair’s score and creating an uncomfortable moment in the ballroom.
Chmerkovskiy was visibly unhappy with the criticism directed at his wife. Shortly afterward, he expressed his frustration online, defending Johnson and questioning how Inaba had addressed her performance. However, one particular social media message quickly transformed the disagreement into a much larger controversy.
In a since-deleted TikTok post, Chmerkovskiy wrote, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” Many interpreted the remark as a reference to Will Smith’s confrontation with Chris Rock during the 2022 Academy Awards, when Smith struck the comedian after a joke about his wife.
The reference immediately attracted criticism because of its apparent connection to a physical confrontation. Although Chmerkovskiy later explained that he had intended to defend Johnson rather than suggest any actual confrontation, the wording raised concerns among viewers about the appropriateness of his reaction toward a television judge.
Inaba subsequently acknowledged the controversy on social media, questioning the direction the disagreement had taken. What began as a dispute over choreography and scoring had now become a public discussion about professional conduct, personal boundaries, and the responsibilities of television personalities.
Chmerkovskiy responded with a public apology on October 15, acknowledging that his post had been inappropriate. He also revealed that he had reached out to Inaba personally to apologize, expressing regret for allowing his frustration to influence what he shared online.
However, the apology did not prevent disciplinary action. On October 17, production company BBC Studios confirmed that Chmerkovskiy would be suspended from the following week’s broadcast, explaining that his social media post did not reflect the standards expected of individuals associated with the program.
The suspension creates an immediate challenge for Chmerkovskiy’s celebrity partner, actress Jenna Dewan, who remains in the competition. With Dedication Night approaching, Dewan must prepare for an important performance without the professional dancer who has guided her throughout the season.
Fortunately, producers have arranged for professional dancer Alan Bersten to temporarily replace Chmerkovskiy. Bersten, who previously competed this season alongside Giada De Laurentiis before their elimination, will partner with Dewan for her October 20 performance, a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” dedicated to her mother.
Following the announcement, Chmerkovskiy issued another statement acknowledging the suspension and accepting responsibility for his actions. He explained that his instinct to defend his wife had led to poor judgment and emphasized that he never intended to create additional problems for Inaba or distract from Dewan’s upcoming performance. He also encouraged viewers to support everyone involved during Dedication Night.
The unprecedented suspension represents a significant moment in Dancing with the Stars history, demonstrating that even the show’s most established professionals can face consequences for conduct outside the ballroom. Although Chmerkovskiy has apologized and is expected to miss only one episode, the controversy has already become one of Season 35’s biggest talking points. As Dewan prepares to dance with Bersten, attention will remain on how the competition moves forward and whether Chmerkovskiy’s eventual return can help bring the dispute to a close.
