Val Chmerkovskiy DWTS Suspension Explained: What Happened

Dancing with the Stars suspended pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy for one week after he posted a Will Smith Oscars slap reference about judge Carrie Ann Inaba. He sat out Dedication Night on Tuesday, October 20, and Alan Bersten danced with his partner, Jenna Dewan, in his place.

Last updated on October 22, 2026, after Dedication Night.

The DWTS Val Chmerkovskiy Suspension at a Glance

What Happened, Day by Day

What Chmerkovskiy Posted

The post read, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” It referred to the 2022 Oscars ceremony, when Will Smith, the star of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, walked on stage and slapped Chris Rock after a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Many readers took the line as a hint of physical confrontation, which is why the show treated it seriously.

In his own statement, Chmerkovskiy said his instinct to defend his wife led to a poor decision to reference a meme. He said Inaba did not deserve to be pulled into it.

What the Show Said

BBC Studios said the well-being of everyone working on the show is “non-negotiable.” It called the post inappropriate and said it does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. The statement also said he would not take part in the following week’s episode, which was Dedication Night.

What It Meant for Jenna Dewan

Dewan lost her usual partner for the night. Alan Bersten stepped in, and the pair danced a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers, dedicated to her mother, Nancy. The judges gave it 37 out of 40, tying it with Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach for second place behind Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, who scored 38.

Nobody was eliminated on Dedication Night. Week 7 is Horror Movie Night on Tuesday, October 27, with a double elimination. Every score so far is on our DWTS Season 35 leaderboard, and the full dance-by-dance recap is in our Week 6 Dedication Night guide.

Val Chmerkovskiy Suspension FAQ

Why was Val Chmerkovskiy suspended from Dancing with the Stars?

He posted a reference to the 2022 Oscars slap after judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticized his wife, Jenna Johnson, on Super Bowl Night. BBC Studios called the post inappropriate and suspended him for one week.

How long is Val Chmerkovskiy suspended?

For one week. The suspension covered Dedication Night on October 20.

Who danced with Jenna Dewan on Dedication Night?

Alan Bersten. They performed a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” and scored 37 out of 40.

Did Val Chmerkovskiy apologize?

Yes. He apologized on Instagram Stories on October 15 and said he had reached out to Carrie Ann Inaba directly. He issued a second statement on October 17, saying Inaba did not deserve to be caught in the middle.

Who is Val Chmerkovskiy’s partner this season?

Actor Jenna Dewan. See the full list of couples in our DWTS Season 35 cast and partners guide.

Was anyone eliminated on Dedication Night?

No. All 10 couples are still in, and Week 7 brings a double elimination. Track every result on our DWTS Season 35 eliminations page.

When and where does Dancing with the Stars air?

Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) on ABC, and on Disney+. See our how to watch guide for streaming options and the reality TV schedule for the rest of the week.