Sherri Shepherd Stands by Val Chmerkovskiy After His ‘DWTS’ Suspension: ‘I’m Team Val Every Day, All Day’
Sherri Shepherd is making it clear that her loyalty to Val Chmerkovskiy has not wavered. The comedian and television host, who was paired with the professional dancer during her time on Dancing With the Stars, has publicly thrown her support behind him following his one-week suspension from the competition series. Chmerkovskiy’s absence from the ballroom came after he made a controversial social media comment aimed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba, and Shepherd is among those who believe the backlash went too far.
In an exclusive interview on Monday, November 2, Shepherd opened up about her reaction to the drama. She had just made a guest appearance during season 35’s Disney Night, and the reunion with Chmerkovskiy gave her a chance to check in with him personally. She revealed that she reached out to him immediately when news of his suspension first broke. Her message was simple and heartfelt.
“I texted him right away,” Shepherd said. “I said, ‘You know what? Those who know you know you got a heart of gold.’ First of all, the No. 1 woman in his life is his mama, and he would never disrespect his mama. No, she raised him right.”
Her words carried the warmth of someone who knows Chmerkovskiy well, both as a professional and as a person. Shepherd and Chmerkovskiy shared a memorable partnership during season 14 of Dancing With the Stars in 2012. Although they did not take home the Mirrorball Trophy, their partnership left a lasting impression on Shepherd, and she has remained a vocal supporter of Chmerkovskiy ever since.
The controversy that led to Chmerkovskiy’s suspension began during Super Bowl Night, which aired on October 13. During the episode, Inaba, 58, flagged a routine performed by pro Jenna Johnson and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr. Inaba criticized the pair for what she described as an illegal lift during their samba. Johnson, 32, appeared visibly confused by the critique, and Inaba responded by reading the exact definition of a lift directly on camera. The moment became a talking point among fans, with many taking sides over whether the penalty was fair.
Johnson later explained that she did not believe the rule applied in that particular situation because Shum, 44, had been lifted by members of the troupe rather than by Johnson herself. That distinction, she argued, should have made the move acceptable under the rules. Her clarification did little to cool the debate, and the internet was soon flooded with opinions about the call.
Chmerkovskiy, who is married to Johnson, stepped in to defend his wife on social media. In a comment that was quickly deleted, he wrote, “You almost saw the Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” a reference to the infamous moment when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. The comment was widely interpreted as a threat of violence toward Inaba, and it sparked immediate backlash. BBC Studios, which produces Dancing With the Stars, announced that Chmerkovskiy would sit out Dedication Night, calling his comment “inappropriate.”
The suspension marked a rare instance of a professional dancer being benched from the show over off-screen behavior. Chmerkovskiy, 40, was absent from the October 20 episode, and Alan Bersten stepped in as Johnson’s partner for the night. The switch was noticeable to fans, who had grown accustomed to seeing Chmerkovskiy and Johnson dance together. Although Chmerkovskiy was only sidelined for one week, the incident became one of the biggest controversies of the season.
Shepherd, however, believes the comment was not intended the way it was received. During her interview, she expressed her belief that people misunderstood Chmerkovskiy’s words. “People took it the wrong way,” she said. “But you know what? Val is amazing. He’s got an amazing heart. He loves his wife. He loves his partner. He loves me. And I said, ‘More people are gonna love you.’ I’m Team Val every day, all day.”
Her defense of Chmerkovskiy went beyond just words. When the two reunited on Disney Night, they were able to laugh about the entire situation, including the lift controversy that had started it all. Shepherd shared a playful exchange that highlighted their easygoing rapport.
“You want to know the first thing I said to Val? I said, ‘Look here, baby. Everybody’s doing lifts on this show, and you told me when I did the show that there was no lifts allowed.’ I said, ‘Was it just because you didn’t want to lift me?’” Shepherd recalled with a laugh. “He said, ‘No, Sherri, I did.’ I said, ‘No, you grunted a lot.’”
The joke not only showed their comfort with one another but also served as a reminder that, beneath the competitive surface of Dancing With the Stars, the relationships formed between celebrities and pros often run deep. For Shepherd, the bond she shares with Chmerkovskiy goes back more than a decade, and she has no interest in letting one controversy define him.
Chmerkovskiy did issue a public apology before returning to the ballroom. In an Instagram post dated October 17, he took responsibility for his choice of words and explained what had been going through his mind at the time. “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,” he wrote.
His apology appeared to resonate with at least one key figure in the drama. By the end of Horror Movie Night on October 27, Chmerkovskiy and Inaba were seen sharing a hug, signaling that the two had managed to move past the friction. The image of them embracing was widely shared across social media, with many fans expressing relief that the situation had been resolved. It was a far cry from the tension that had dominated headlines just weeks earlier.
For Shepherd, the entire episode was a reminder of the importance of giving people the benefit of the doubt. She has spent years in the public eye and understands how easily words can be twisted or taken out of context. Her message to Chmerkovskiy was not just about defending him publicly but about offering genuine support during a difficult moment.
“Those who know you know you got a heart of gold,” she repeated, emphasizing that Chmerkovskiy’s character should not be judged based on a single comment. She also pointed to the influence of his mother, a figure she believes shaped him into the man he is today. In her view, a person raised with that kind of love and respect would never intentionally disrespect a woman.
The controversy also reignited conversations about the intense emotions that come with competing on Dancing With the Stars. The show has long been known for its high-pressure environment, and the combination of live performances, public voting, and judge critiques can create moments of heightened tension. Professional dancers, in particular, often find themselves caught between defending their partners and maintaining decorum in front of cameras and judges.
Despite the drama, Chmerkovskiy has returned to the dance floor, and the season has moved on. Shepherd’s appearance on Disney Night served as a joyful distraction from the recent controversies, and her willingness to speak out in support of her former partner was a testament to the lasting connections forged through the show.
As Dancing With the Stars continues to air Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, viewers will be watching to see how the rest of the season unfolds. For Shepherd, the hope is that the conversation will now shift back to the dancing, the costumes, and the entertainment that have made the show a beloved fixture for viewers across the country.
In the meantime, Chmerkovskiy can count on at least one steadfast ally in his corner. Whether she’s cracking jokes about grunting or sharing heartfelt words of encouragement, Shepherd has made it clear that her support is unwavering. “More people are gonna love you,” she told him. And with friends like her behind him, that seems entirely likely.
