Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended From 'Dancing With the Stars' for Social Media Post

Val Chmerkovskiy, a professional dancer on "Dancing with the Stars," has been suspended for one week following a social media post that referenced the 2022 Oscars incident where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock. The post was a reaction to a critique from judge Carrie Ann Inaba about Chmerkovskiy's wife, fellow pro Jenna Johnson.

Chmerkovskiy posted, "You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night," a clear allusion to Smith's infamous moment. He deleted the post shortly after, but the remark drew attention. This incident has led to his temporary removal from the show, with a source close to production stating Chmerkovskiy "took it gracefully and he understood."

Producers at BBC Productions issued a statement explaining the decision: "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 emphasized that "the well-being of everyone who works on 'Dancing with the Stars' is non-negotiable."

Inaba had reportedly escalated the issue by filing a complaint with HR regarding Chmerkovskiy's comment. Chmerkovskiy later issued a public apology to Inaba, expressing regret for his "bad judgment" and acknowledging that he did not want to be a distraction for his dance partner, Jenna Dewan, or for the show.

Alan Bersten has been enlisted to dance with Jenna Dewan during Chmerkovskiy's absence. A source indicated that Chmerkovskiy has offered his support to Dewan and expressed gratitude to Bersten for stepping in.

Chmerkovskiy, who has been a part of "Dancing with the Stars" for 15 years, is described by a production insider as the "golden child of that show and franchise," suggesting the suspension was a difficult decision for the production team. He is expected to return to the show in the following week.

Representatives for Inaba, Chmerkovskiy, and ABC have not yet responded to requests for comment. The incident marks a significant pause in Chmerkovskiy's long tenure on the popular ABC reality competition.