Is Val suspended from DWTS? Yes. Val Chmerkovskiy has received a one-week suspension from Dancing with the Stars following a controversial social media post about judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The decision means the professional dancer will miss the October 20, 2026, Dedication Night episode. Chmerkovskiy has apologized for his comments, while his celebrity dance partner, Jenna Dewan, will continue competing with Alan Bersten.
The situation developed after a disagreement involving Inaba’s critique of professional dancer Jenna Johnson and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr. Chmerkovskiy, who is married to Johnson, reacted to the criticism with a social media comment that referenced the infamous 2022 Oscars incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock.
The post generated backlash and prompted questions about professional conduct on the popular ABC competition. Producers subsequently confirmed that Chmerkovskiy would not participate in the upcoming episode.
His suspension has become a major talking point among viewers because it affects an active competition season and changes the partnership for one of the remaining celebrity contestants. However, the confirmed decision concerns one week, and no permanent dismissal has been announced.
Why Was Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended From DWTS?
Chmerkovskiy’s suspension followed a social media post responding to criticism from Inaba during Dancing with the Stars.
On October 13, Johnson and Shum Jr. performed a samba during the show’s themed Super Bowl Night episode. Their routine received attention from the judges, particularly when Inaba questioned a lift included in the performance.
Inaba discussed the technical requirements of the dance and expressed concerns about the choreography. Her comments prompted a discussion about whether the movement met the competition’s standards.
Chmerkovskiy appeared unhappy with the criticism directed at his wife. The following day, he posted a comment on social media that read, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”
The reference appeared to invoke Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars incident, when the actor slapped comedian Chris Rock during the Academy Awards ceremony.
Although Chmerkovskiy’s post did not explicitly describe a planned physical confrontation, many viewers interpreted the reference as inappropriate because it connected a judging disagreement with an incident of violence.
The reaction moved beyond the original debate about dance technique. Viewers began discussing whether a professional dancer should respond to a judge’s assessment in that manner.
Chmerkovskiy later deleted the post and apologized. Nevertheless, the production team decided that he would sit out the next episode.
The suspension therefore relates to his social media conduct rather than his performance on the dance floor. It also does not represent an elimination from the competition in the usual sense.
What Did Val Chmerkovskiy Say About Carrie Ann Inaba?
Chmerkovskiy’s now-deleted comment referenced the character known as the Fresh Prince, associated with Smith’s early television career.
The reference connected Inaba’s criticism with the Oscars incident, in which Smith reacted physically after Rock made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
That comparison attracted criticism because it could be interpreted as suggesting that a similar confrontation might have occurred in the ballroom.
Chmerkovskiy said his intention was to defend his wife and keep attention away from her. However, he acknowledged that he failed to consider what the reference could imply to other people.
The distinction between intention and impact became central to the controversy. Chmerkovskiy explained that he did not intend to cause harm, but he also accepted responsibility for making a poor decision.
The situation illustrates the risks of reacting publicly while emotions are running high. A comment intended to support a family member can attract a much broader response when it references a recognizable incident involving violence.
Inaba’s role as a judge also matters. Her job includes assessing choreography, technique, timing, and adherence to competition rules. Professional dancers may disagree with her evaluations, but those disagreements do not remove the responsibility to communicate appropriately.
Chmerkovskiy’s post shifted attention away from the original dance and toward his response. The subsequent suspension made that shift even more significant for the show.
Did Val Chmerkovskiy Apologize for His DWTS Comments?
Yes. Chmerkovskiy issued a public apology after the controversy attracted widespread attention.
In his October 17 Instagram Stories statement, he acknowledged that he had made a poor decision by referencing the meme without considering its wider implications.
He explained that his instinct had been to defend Johnson. However, he recognized that Inaba did not deserve to become the focus of his reaction.
Chmerkovskiy also expressed regret that the situation had become a distraction from the upcoming Dedication Night episode.
His statement addressed the immediate controversy and emphasized his support for the people involved in the show. He encouraged viewers to support Inaba, Dewan, and the wider Dancing with the Stars team during the upcoming broadcast.
He also said he would watch and cheer for everyone while he remained absent from the ballroom.
The apology was important because it provided a direct explanation from the dancer rather than leaving viewers to rely on interpretations of the deleted post.
However, apologizing did not reverse the production team’s decision. BBC Studios confirmed that Chmerkovskiy would not participate in the next episode.
The current situation therefore includes two separate developments: Chmerkovskiy has acknowledged his mistake, and the show has imposed a one-week suspension.
Neither development establishes that he has permanently lost his position on the program.
What Did DWTS Producers Say About Val’s Suspension?
BBC Studios, the production company behind Dancing with the Stars, confirmed that Chmerkovskiy would miss the upcoming episode because of his social media post.
The company emphasized that the well-being of everyone working on the show was non-negotiable. It also stated that Chmerkovskiy’s post was inappropriate and did not reflect the values or standards expected of people connected with the program.
The announcement made clear that the absence was a disciplinary decision rather than an ordinary scheduling adjustment.
The production team did not announce a permanent termination. Its statement addressed his participation in the next broadcast.
This distinction matters because viewers may interpret an unexpected absence as evidence that a contestant or professional dancer has left the show. In this case, the announced action is a one-week suspension.
The decision also demonstrates that professional responsibilities extend beyond rehearsals and live performances. Social media activity can affect working relationships and the public image of a television program.
For a show built around teamwork, the relationship between dancers, judges, contestants, and production staff is important. Producers must consider the standards they expect participants to maintain, particularly when a public comment raises concerns about respectful treatment.
The suspension represents the production team’s response to this specific incident. It should not be treated as evidence that every disagreement with a judge will lead to similar consequences.
Who Will Replace Val Chmerkovskiy on DWTS?
Alan Bersten will temporarily replace Chmerkovskiy as Jenna Dewan’s professional dance partner during Dedication Night on October 20.
Dewan will remain in the competition despite the change. The temporary arrangement allows her to continue preparing for the scheduled performance without her original partner.
Bersten previously competed during the current season with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. Their partnership ended with an elimination earlier in the competition, leaving him available for the temporary assignment.
The change means Dewan and Bersten must prepare a routine together within the time available before the live broadcast.
Professional ballroom dancing requires coordination, timing, and an understanding of each partner’s movements. A change in partners can require adjustments to choreography, spacing, and performance dynamics.
Dewan’s upcoming routine will be a Viennese waltz set to the Righteous Brothers’ classic song “Unchained Melody.” The performance will honor her mother, Nancy.
The dedication gives the routine a personal purpose beyond the competition’s technical requirements. Dewan and Bersten will need to balance the emotional meaning of the performance with the judges’ expectations for technique and execution.
The temporary arrangement does not establish that Bersten will become Dewan’s permanent partner. It applies to the upcoming episode while Chmerkovskiy serves his suspension.
It is also important to distinguish Dewan from Johnson. Dewan is Chmerkovskiy’s celebrity partner on the show, while Johnson is his wife and a fellow professional dancer.
The controversy began after Inaba critiqued Johnson’s routine with Shum Jr. Dewan’s partnership changed because of Chmerkovskiy’s subsequent social media post.
When Will Val Chmerkovskiy Miss Dancing With the Stars?
Chmerkovskiy will miss the October 20, 2026, Dedication Night episode.
The suspension was announced on October 17, following the social media controversy that developed after the October 13 broadcast.
The timeline below outlines the key developments.
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| October 13, 2026 | Johnson and Shum Jr. perform a samba during Super Bowl Night. Inaba questions a lift in the routine. |
| October 14, 2026 | Chmerkovskiy posts a social media comment referencing the Fresh Prince and the Oscars incident. |
| October 15, 2026 | Chmerkovskiy publicly apologizes and says he contacted Inaba directly. |
| October 17, 2026 | The production team confirms his one-week suspension. |
| October 20, 2026 | Dewan is scheduled to perform with Bersten during Dedication Night. |
The sequence shows how the disagreement developed from a judging exchange into a disciplinary matter.
It also clarifies that Chmerkovskiy’s suspension is separate from the usual elimination process. His celebrity partner remains eligible to compete, and the production team has arranged a temporary replacement.
As of October 18, the confirmed suspension covers the upcoming episode. Any later change to his participation would require a new announcement.
Is Val Chmerkovskiy Permanently Fired From DWTS?
No. There has been no confirmed announcement that Chmerkovskiy has been permanently fired from Dancing with the Stars.
The production team’s decision concerns a one-week suspension. Chmerkovskiy’s public statement also addresses his absence from the upcoming episode rather than announcing that he has left the show permanently.
A suspension and a permanent dismissal are different outcomes. A suspension temporarily removes someone from participation, while a permanent dismissal ends that person’s role.
The confirmed information supports the first outcome, not the second.
Chmerkovskiy’s apology is another important development, but it does not independently establish when he will return. The production team has not announced a permanent departure as part of its disciplinary decision.
Fans should therefore distinguish confirmed updates from speculation about his future.
The next meaningful development would be an official announcement confirming his participation in a subsequent episode or describing a change to his status.
Until then, the accurate position is that Chmerkovskiy will miss one episode, while Dewan continues with Bersten.
Why Is Val Chmerkovskiy’s Suspension Significant?
The suspension has attracted attention because it is reported as the first suspension of a professional dancer in the show’s history.
Professional dancers have a central role in Dancing with the Stars. They develop choreography, teach celebrity contestants, and help prepare routines that must meet the demands of live television.
Their public behavior also affects how viewers perceive the program. A controversy involving a professional dancer can quickly draw attention away from the competition itself.
Chmerkovskiy’s situation highlights the connection between personal conduct and professional responsibilities. The original disagreement involved a judge’s assessment of a dance, but the subsequent social media response created a separate issue.
The reference to the Oscars incident was particularly consequential because it involved a widely recognized act of violence. Even when used as a joke or meme, such a reference can carry implications that the person posting it did not intend.
The production team’s response underscores the importance of maintaining a respectful environment for the people involved in the show.
At the same time, the suspension should be understood within its specific circumstances. The confirmed decision concerns Chmerkovskiy’s post and the production team’s assessment of that post.
It does not establish a general rule that professional dancers cannot question judges or express disagreement with feedback.
The incident instead demonstrates why public responses require care, especially when they involve colleagues and situations that have already attracted significant attention.
What Happens Next for Val Chmerkovskiy on DWTS?
The main question now is whether Chmerkovskiy will return after his one-week suspension.
As of October 18, 2026, the production team has confirmed that he will miss Dedication Night. It has not announced a permanent departure or confirmed a specific return appearance beyond the announced suspension.
The next episode will proceed with Dewan and Bersten as partners. Chmerkovskiy has said he will support the participants while watching from outside the ballroom.
Further updates may clarify his status, but his return should not be presented as confirmed until an official announcement establishes it.
The situation also leaves the focus on Dewan’s performance. She will need to prepare a new partnership for an emotionally significant routine while continuing to compete under the same judging standards as the other contestants.
For Chmerkovskiy, the immediate consequence is clear: he will miss one episode following a social media post that the production team considered inappropriate.
His apology provides his response to the controversy, while the suspension establishes the production team’s decision. No confirmed announcement currently establishes a permanent end to his involvement with the show.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Val suspended from DWTS?
Yes. Val Chmerkovskiy has received a one-week suspension from Dancing with the Stars after an inappropriate social media post about judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Why was Val Chmerkovskiy suspended?
He posted a comment referencing Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap after Inaba criticized a performance by his wife, Jenna Johnson, and her partner, Harry Shum Jr.
How long is Val’s DWTS suspension?
The announced suspension lasts one week. Chmerkovskiy will miss the October 20, 2026, Dedication Night episode.
Did Val Chmerkovskiy apologize to Carrie Ann Inaba?
Yes. He publicly expressed regret over his post and said he had contacted Inaba directly to apologize.
Who will dance with Jenna Dewan while Val is suspended?
Alan Bersten will temporarily partner with Dewan during Dedication Night.
Has Val Chmerkovskiy been permanently fired from DWTS?
No permanent dismissal has been announced. The confirmed disciplinary action is a one-week suspension.
Will Jenna Dewan still compete during Dedication Night?
Yes. Dewan is scheduled to perform a Viennese waltz with Bersten to “Unchained Melody,” honoring her mother.
Was Val suspended because of his dancing?
No. The announced suspension followed his social media post about Inaba. It was not related to his dance performance or competition scores.
Is this the first suspension of a professional dancer on DWTS?
Current reporting describes Chmerkovskiy’s suspension as the first suspension of a professional dancer in the show’s history.
When will Val return to DWTS?
The confirmed announcement establishes a one-week suspension. A specific return appearance beyond that announced absence has not been confirmed as of October 18, 2026.
Final Update on Val Chmerkovskiy’s DWTS Suspension
Val Chmerkovskiy’s suspension follows a social media controversy involving Carrie Ann Inaba and a reference to the 2022 Oscars incident. He has apologized for his decision, and Jenna Dewan will continue competing with Alan Bersten during Dedication Night. The announced suspension lasts one week, and no permanent dismissal has been confirmed.
What do you think about Val Chmerkovskiy’s suspension and the decision to pair Jenna Dewan with Alan Bersten? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for the latest confirmed updates.