Why Was Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended From Dancing With the Stars? What Happened and Who Replaces Him

Why Was Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended From Dancing With the Stars?

Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended from Dancing With the Stars for one week after posting a social media comment that appeared to reference Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. The post followed judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s criticism of a performance by Val’s wife, professional dancer Jenna Johnson.

On October 17, 2026, BBC Studios, which produces the ABC competition, confirmed that Chmerkovskiy would not participate in the upcoming October 20 episode.

Val subsequently apologized for his remarks and explained that he had not intended to suggest violence toward Inaba.

His celebrity partner, actress Jenna Dewan, remains in the competition. She will perform with professional dancer Alan Bersten during the October 20 Dedication Night episode.

The suspension is limited to one week under the announcement made on October 17. There has been no confirmed announcement that Val has been permanently dismissed from the series.

What Happened to Val Chmerkovskiy?

The controversy began after the October 13, 2026, episode of Dancing With the Stars Season 35. During the episode, Jenna Johnson and her celebrity partner, actor Harry Shum Jr., performed a samba.

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticized part of the routine because she believed it included a lift that violated the rules of the dance. The criticism prompted disagreement about whether the movement should have resulted in a deduction. Johnson later acknowledged that she had misunderstood aspects of the lift rule.

Val Chmerkovskiy, who is married to Johnson, publicly defended her. However, one of his social media comments went beyond expressing disagreement with the judging. The post appeared to invoke a highly publicized incident involving Will Smith at the Academy Awards. The remark attracted criticism, and Chmerkovskiy subsequently deleted it.

The controversy continued over the following days before BBC Studios announced his temporary suspension on October 17.

What Did Val Say About Carrie Ann Inaba?

Val posted a comment referencing the Fresh Prince, the television character associated with actor Will Smith.

His deleted post stated:

“You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”

The comment appeared after Inaba criticized Jenna Johnson’s samba with Harry Shum Jr.

Many readers interpreted the reference as an allusion to the 2022 Oscars ceremony, when Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock following a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Because the post was made while Val was defending his own wife, some interpreted it as suggesting that he had considered confronting Inaba physically. However, Chmerkovskiy later stated that this was not his intention.

He explained that he had been referencing a familiar meme without considering how the comparison could be understood. His explanation does not change the fact that the producer decided the comment warranted disciplinary action.

Why Did BBC Studios Suspend Him?

BBC Studios announced Val’s suspension on Saturday, October 17. The production company said the social media post was inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards expected of people associated with Dancing With the Stars. It also emphasized the importance of protecting the well-being of everyone working on the program. As a result, Chmerkovskiy was removed from the October 20 episode.

The decision concerns his conduct outside the ballroom rather than the quality of his dancing or the performance of his celebrity partner.

Val had not been eliminated through the competition’s voting process. His suspension is therefore different from an ordinary contestant elimination.

The announcement also did not establish a permanent departure from the program. According to People, this is the first reported suspension of a professional dancer in the show’s history.

Did Val Apologize to Carrie Ann Inaba?

Yes. Val Chmerkovskiy issued public apologies and said he had contacted Carrie Ann Inaba personally. He first addressed the controversy before the suspension was announced.

In his October 15 statement, he acknowledged that the reference was inappropriate and expressed regret for posting it. After BBC Studios announced the suspension, Val released another statement on October 17. He explained that his immediate reaction had been to defend Jenna Johnson. However, he recognized that the meme he used could carry implications he had not considered.

He also acknowledged that Inaba did not deserve to become the target of the controversy. Val said he did not want his conduct to distract from Jenna Dewan’s preparations for the next episode. He encouraged viewers to support the dancers, judges, and other people involved in the competition.

His statements were reported by TVLine and Entertainment Weekly.

Who Will Replace Val on Dancing With the Stars?

Alan Bersten will replace Val Chmerkovskiy as Jenna Dewan’s professional partner for the October 20, 2026, episode.

Bersten is an established Dancing With the Stars professional who previously partnered celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis during Season 35.

Their elimination left him available to return for another performance.

BBC Studios’ suspension decision means that Jenna Dewan will continue competing rather than being removed because of her professional partner’s conduct.

Bersten will therefore step in for the upcoming Dedication Night. The substitution is currently described as temporary.

It has not been announced that Bersten will permanently replace Val for the remainder of the season.

What Will Jenna Dewan Dance on October 20?

Jenna Dewan is scheduled to perform a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” during the October 20 Dedication Night episode. The performance is intended as a tribute to her mother. Alan Bersten will partner her for the routine.

Dedication Night gives contestants an opportunity to honor important people or experiences through their performances.

The temporary partnership creates an unusual situation for Dewan because she must prepare a new routine with a different professional dancer shortly before the live show.

However, Dewan has an extensive professional dance background. Before becoming widely recognized as an actress, she worked as a dancer and later starred in the 2006 film Step Up. Her previous experience may help her adjust to the change, although it does not guarantee a particular result.

Is Val Chmerkovskiy Fired From DWTS?

No permanent dismissal has been announced. The October 17 statement established a suspension covering the upcoming episode. That means Val will not dance on October 20.

It does not establish that his contract has been terminated or that he has been removed from the entire season.

If Jenna Dewan advances, the production could restore their original partnership after the suspension.

Who Is Val Chmerkovskiy?

Valentin Aleksandrovich Chmerkovskiy, professionally known as Val Chmerkovskiy, is a Ukrainian-American ballroom dancer, choreographer, and television personality.

He was born on March 24, 1986, in Odesa, Ukraine. He turned 40 in March 2026.

Val moved to the United States with his family in 1994 and grew up in the New York area. He developed an interest in music and dance during childhood. His early training included violin and competitive ballroom dancing.

Val’s older brother, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, also became a professional ballroom dancer and television personality.

Their family established connections with competitive dance in the United States, helping both brothers develop professional careers.

Val eventually became one of the most recognizable professional dancers on Dancing With the Stars.

Parents, Brother, and Ukrainian Background

Val was born into a Ukrainian family before moving to the United States as a child. His parents are Aleksandr Chmerkovskiy and Larisa Chmerkovskaya.

Published biographies identify his father as having worked in the maritime industry and his mother as an engineer.

His older brother, Maksim, became an important influence on his early dance training.

After immigrating to the United States, the family established itself in Brooklyn, New York. Val continued studying dance and developed the competitive skills that eventually brought him international recognition. His experience as an immigrant later became an important part of his personal story.

In 2018, he published a memoir titled I’ll Never Change My Name, discussing his family, career, and experiences growing up in the United States.

He has also participated in humanitarian efforts supporting people affected by the war in Ukraine.

Dance Career and Mirrorball Wins

Val joined Dancing With the Stars as a professional dancer in 2011. He had previously appeared on the program in connection with his brother’s participation. His professional career on the show developed through partnerships with celebrities from entertainment, sports, and television.

He has won the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy three times. His winning partners were:

His success established him as one of the competition’s most accomplished professional dancers.

Beyond television, Val has worked in dance instruction, choreography, touring, and entertainment projects.

He has also participated in professional dance competitions and performed with other established dancers.

His competitive experience helps explain why he is frequently paired with celebrities seeking to develop strong technical skills during the show.

Who Is Val Chmerkovskiy’s Wife?

Val Chmerkovskiy is married to Jenna Johnson, another professional dancer on Dancing With the Stars. The couple met through their involvement with the competition. They began dating in 2015, separated briefly, and later reconciled.

Val proposed in Venice, Italy, in 2018. They married in California in April 2019. Their relationship has remained closely connected to their professional lives because both continue working on the same television competition.

The couple has also collaborated on dance performances and other creative projects.

Although they work on the same show, they generally compete with different celebrity partners. During Season 35, Jenna Johnson is partnered with Harry Shum Jr., while Val was assigned to Jenna Dewan.

Do Val and Jenna Johnson Have Children?

Val and Jenna Johnson have a son named Rome, born in January 2023.

The couple has publicly discussed parenthood and the experience of raising a young child while maintaining demanding professional schedules.

In a 2025 interview with People, they described Rome’s interest in music and dancing.

They also discussed how much he enjoyed watching performances by his parents.

Their family life has become a visible part of their public profiles, although their son’s private information should remain limited to details they have voluntarily shared.

Jenna Johnson and Jenna Dewan: What’s the Difference?

The two women have similar first names, but they play different roles in Val’s life.

Jenna Johnson is Val Chmerkovskiy’s wife. She is a professional dancer on Dancing With the Stars.

Jenna Dewan is Val’s celebrity partner for Season 35. She is an actress and dancer known for Step Up and The Rookie.

The distinction matters because the October controversy began after Carrie Ann Inaba criticized a performance involving Johnson.

However, the suspension directly affects Dewan, who must now perform with Alan Bersten.

ABC’s official September 3, 2026, cast announcement confirms the original pairings.

What Happens Next?

The next episode of Dancing With the Stars Season 35 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Jenna Dewan will perform with Alan Bersten during Dedication Night. Val will not participate in that episode.

The show’s producers have not announced a permanent change to Dewan’s partnership.

Whether Val returns for a later episode will depend on subsequent production decisions and the couple’s continued participation in the competition.

The October 20 broadcast will also determine which remaining celebrity contestants advance.

For context on the previous episode, see TrendzJoint’s coverage of Guillermo Rodriguez’s October 13 elimination.

Quick Facts About Valentin Aleksandrovich

Instagram

Val’s Instagram handle is @valentin.