Val Chmerkovskiy will miss a live episode of Dancing with the Stars following a controversial social media post referencing the 2022 Oscars slap directed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba. Alan Bersten will step in to dance with Jenna Dewan for Dedication Night, while Chmerkovskiy plans to return next week.
The Oscars Slap Reference That Sparked a One-Week Suspension
Val Chmerkovskiy found himself benched from Dancing with the Stars after directing a controversial joke at judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Responding in the comments section of a TikTok video about the routine, Chmerkovskiy wrote, She’s trippin talking to her like that
before posting another now-deleted comment: You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.
The remark was an unmistakable nod to the moment Will Smith slapped host Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards, shouting on stage to keep his wife’s name out of his mouth.
In a moment where my instinct was to defend my wife, I made a poor decision to reference a meme to ‘keep my wife’s name’ out of the conversation, without stopping to think through what else that reference could imply, which was genuinely never my intention.
Val Chmerkovskiy, Dancing with the Stars professional dancer
BBC Studios Issues a Suspension While Production Weighs the Fallout
Producers at BBC Studios acted swiftly after the post circulated. Inaba went to HR to complain about the professional dancer’s online remark, and a source told Page Six that the show felt like they had to do this
while noting that the suspension took the dancer by surprise, though he took it gracefully and understood.
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. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show.
BBC Studios, Series Production Company
Insiders reported that producers felt compelled to issue the penalty.
Alan Bersten Steps In to Partner Jenna Dewan for Dedication Night
With Chmerkovskiy sidelined, Jenna Dewan will take to the ballroom alongside Alan Bersten. Bersten, who went public with his romance with Slater in April 2025, and his previous celebrity partner Giada De Laurentiis were eliminated during week 2 of season 35, leaving the 32-year-old dancer available to assist.
When a fan questioned on TikTok why an eliminated pro was returning, fellow professional Emma Slater clapped back at the comment, writing, Yeah that’s what happens, we all step in for each other.
Professional Gleb Savchenko offered a sharper critique during a livestream, questioning Bersten’s technical level compared to artistic standards, though production sources emphasized that Chmerkovskiy fully trusts Alan to manage this week and is grateful that he’s stepped in.
Dewan and Bersten are slated to honour the actress’ mum Nancy with a Viennese waltz to the Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody during Dedication Night. Meanwhile, Chmerkovskiy is expected to watch the broadcast from home before returning to the ballroom for Horror Movie Night.
Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended from "Dancing With the Stars" for a week after making what the network called an "inappropriate" social media post. https://t.co/pyyOF8sJSM
More on Val Chmerkovskiy
Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended from "Dancing With the Stars" for a week after making what the network called an "inappropriate" social media post. https://t.co/xvlZk3iPCz
Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended from "Dancing With the Stars" for a week after making what the network called an "inappropriate" social media post. https://t.co/7Sx15MoyG3
Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended from "Dancing With the Stars" for a week after making what the network called an "inappropriate" social media post. https://t.co/PTrbuzfyno
