Val Chmerkovskiy Pulled from “DWTS” After Oscars Slap Comment, the First Pro Suspension in the Series’ History

Kimberlee SpeakmanSat, October 17, 2026 at 9:05 PM UTC

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Val Chmerkovskiy in Los Angeles in June 2026.Credit: Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty“The last thing I want is to become a distraction from an important week or from the incredible work my dance partner Jenna Dewan is putting in,” the professional dancer said -

Val Chmerkovskiy will be sitting out from Dancing with the Stars next week, marking the first pro suspension in the series’ history

The professional dancer will miss the series’ upcoming “Dedication Night” episode after he shared an offensive social media post, referencing Will Smith’s Oscars slap, in response to critiques judge Carrie Ann Inaba made about his wife, Jenna Johnson

“The last thing I want is to become a distraction from an important week or from the incredible work my dance partner Jenna Dewan is putting in,” Chmerkovskiy said

Val Chmerkovskiy won’t be seen in the Dancing with the Stars ballroom next week.

The professional dancer, 40, shared a post on his Instagram Stories on Saturday, Oct. 17, revealing that he will be sitting out of the series’ upcoming “Dedication Night” episode after he shared an offensive social media post earlier this week. (It marks the first pro suspension in the series’ history.)

The post, which has since been deleted, referenced Will Smith’s Oscars slap, and it was posted in response to DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s critique of his wife Jenna Johnson‘s latest performance with Harry Shum Jr., her partner this season.

Val Chmerkovskiy’s Instagram Stories post.Credit: Val Chmerkovskiy/Instagram

“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,” wrote Chmerkovskiy on Oct. 17. “Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgement, and I had that she was.”

“The last thing I want is to become a distraction from an important week or from the incredible work my dance partner Jenna Dewan is putting in,” the pro continued. “Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DTWS family lots of love during Dedication Night. I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!! ❤️.”

In his now-deleted post, Chmerkovskiy wrote, “You almost saw the Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”

He shared the statement alongside a photo of Smith, 58, slapping Rock during the 94th Academy Awards in March 2022, after Rock, 61, made a comment about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Jenna Dewan (left) and Val Chmerkovskiy (right) on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’Credit: Disney/Christopher Willard

BBC Studios, which produces the show, said in a statement, per Deadline, “The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable.”

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“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,” the statement continued.

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Carrie Ann Inaba, Val Chmerkovskiy.Credit: Chris Delmas / AFP via Getty; Travis Ball/Billboard via Getty

Chmerkovskiy apologized to Inaba, 58, on Thursday, Oct. 15.

The dancer said he personally “reached out to Carrie Ann to apologize directly,” and he also shared a public apology, explaining that he understood “words affect so many outside of our internal DWTS family.”

“I recognize that l am in a fortunate position to have a platform and to be a role model to some, and I need to treat that with more care by actively pausing to think before I post to ensure what I am sharing aligns with who l am, and who I want to be for you all,” Chmerkovskiy added.

“I am truly sorry to Carrie Ann, and everyone who I hurt with my careless post. I will do better moving forward,” he continued.

Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST/PST on ABC and Disney+.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”