Dancing with the Stars Faces Turmoil Amid Pro Dancer's Suspension
A dancer's suspension over a controversial social media post has sent ripples of anxiety through the 'Dancing with the Stars' ballroom, with insiders suggesting it could impact other professional dancers and even lead to the departure of celebrity partners.
A suspension handed down to professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy has created significant tension within the "Dancing with the Stars" cast, sparking concerns among fellow professionals and celebrity partners. The controversy stems from a since-deleted social media post by Chmerkovskiy that drew parallels to Will Smith's Oscars slap, leading to accusations that he threatened judge Carrie Ann Inaba over his wife Jenna Johnson's low score.
Sources suggest that Chmerkovskiy's week-long suspension has created an atmosphere of unease. His wife, fellow pro dancer Jenna Johnson, is reportedly worried about the potential fallout affecting her own position on the show. "Jenna totally expects to be voted off. It sucks," an insider told the Daily Mail. "It's a competitive show and also their livelihood, and at the end of the day if all were to fall apart, Jenna and Val know bosses would keep Carrie over them."
Jenna Dewan, originally partnered with Chmerkovskiy, has been paired with Alan Bersten following the suspension. However, insiders indicate she is also concerned about her future on the show due to the disruption. The situation is further complicated by the show's upcoming "Dedication Night," which has ties to "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Both Tatyana Ali and Alfonso Ribeiro, who have strong connections to the show and Will Smith, are participants this season, and producers are reportedly keen to avoid any lingering negativity.
Amid the backlash, Chmerkovskiy took to his Instagram Stories to issue an apology, though he did not specify the exact nature of his comment that caused the controversy. Many viewers interpreted his remarks as a reference to Will Smith's infamous incident at the Academy Awards. The situation has also drawn commentary from former professional dancer Gleb Savchenko, who was not asked back for the current season. Savchenko publicly disputed Inaba's scoring decisions and declared his support for Chmerkovskiy via a TikTok livestream.